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Summary
This article contains information on how to complete a Direct Observation of Non-Clinical Skills (DONCS).
What is the DONCS LX?
The Direct Observation of Non-Clinical Skills (DONCS) is a Workplace Based Assessment (WBA) tool that can be used to provide formative assessment as part of an approved training and development program and/or for inclusion towards ANZCAP recognition.
It can be used to facilitate exploration of a pharmacist's management, leadership problem-solving, communication and/or critical thinking skills through real-time or retrospective review of a professional situation.
The main outcome of the interaction between pharmacist and collaborator should be to promote feedback and reflection of current professional practice in a situation that utilizes a combination of management, leadership problem-solving, communication and/or critical thinking skills in a chosen professional setting or topic.
Direct Observation of Non-Clinical Skills (DONCS) Process
When used for ANZCAP recognition a DONCS may be completed as a collaborative or autonomous Learning Experience. A DONCS may be conducted in real-time or as a retrospective reflection.
The process for completing a DONCS is as follows:
🧩 Prepare
🗓️ Engage
💭 Reflect
The pharmacist or the collaborator highlights a suitable skill or situation to utilize the DONCS tool.
The pharmacist and collaborator should also confirm the practice recognition level and clinical setting/topic that the DONCS is to focus on.
The collaborator should ensure that they have directly observed a significant proportion or key stages of the skill being carried out by the pharmacist.
At conclusion of the skill or situation the Pharmacist discusses the direct patient or indirect patient case with the collaborator(s)
Collaborator(s) engages pharmacist in discussion to further explore knowledge and skills critical to the situation
This discussion should typically take 10-15 minutes.
Pharmacist and collaborator engage in reflection of this discussion utilizing the Pendleton/Positive critique method
Collaborator assists pharmacist to identify key development goals from the reflection utilizing the SMART goal method
The reflection and goal setting should typically take 10-15 minutes
The total time for a DONCS should take between 20-30 minutes. However, the observation period may be over an extended period of time depending on the activity the pharmacist is carrying out.
The final discussion aspect of the DONCS should be conducted in an appropriate working space that lends itself to privacy due to patient confidently and pharmacist comfort.
Choosing a Situation or Skill
There is a wide variety of skills or situations that may be appropriate for reflection using the DONCS tool.
Example
Implementation or management of a professional service in the pharmacy
Presentation to key stakeholders
Stakeholder engagement/management (eg aged care facility)
Worked with a team or led a team that implemented a new guideline or run a campaign
Chaired or participated in a committee/working group
Participating in an interview panel for recruitment
Facilitating a staff meeting
Staff recruitment process
Prior to the DONCS the pharmacist and collaborator should confirm the practice recognition level and clinical setting/topic that the situation will allow the pharmacist to show.
Practice Recognition Level
The Collaborative DONCS Learning Experience is mapped to Domain 1, 2 & 4 of the National Competency Standards Framework for Pharmacists in Australia 2016.
Please refer to the ANZCAP recognition descriptors article for the further guidance on markers of performance for each ANZCAP recognition level. The pharmacist and collaborator should indicate on the learning experience tool which of the three levels of practice recognition (resident, register, consultant) they are currently practicing at or a candidate for. Please note that not all the domain 1, 2 & 4 indicators listed in this document may be relevant to this Learning Experience.
Complexity
In some scenarios the same skill or situation may be used for pharmacists aiming for different levels of practice recognition. However, the complexity and expected knowledge and skills expected to be displayed will vary.
The pharmacist and collaborator should come to an agreement on the complexity (low, medium or high) of the case in relation to the level of recognition the pharmacist is practicing at.
Collaborator
The collaborator must be familiar with the Direct Observation of Non-Clinical Skill tool.
The Collaborator must ensure that they have the required expertise and scope of practice to confidently provide the candidate with feedback on the setting/topic being assessed in the DONCS.
The collaborator should ensure that they have directly observed a significant proportion or key stages of the skill being carried out by the pharmacist.
Collaborators may come from a variety of health professional backgrounds e.g., pharmacy, medical, surgical. Management.
Further guidance for collaborators involved in this learning experience can be found here.
Reflection, Feedback & Goal Setting
The main aim of the DONCS as a Learning Experience is to promote feedback and reflection of a pharmacist's management, leadership problem-solving, communication and/or critical thinking skills through real-time or retrospective review of a professional situation.
Skill Evaluation
Within the DONCS tool there are key skills (and descriptors) that the pharmacist and collaborator should discuss during the feedback and reflection. Each skill should be evaluated with comments from the discussion and a marker of; below, meets or exceeds.
Not yet met | Performance does not yet meet the expected for the indicated practice recognition level. |
Meets | Performance meets the standard expected for the indicated practice recognition level. |
Exceeds | Performance is above the standard expected for the indicated practice recognition level and is moving towards progression in recognition level. |
Feedback
The DONCS tool encourages use of the Pendleton feedback method to guide reflection. This method encourages self-reflection and proactive discussions for development.
Development Goals
The pharmacist and collaborator are encouraged to utilize the SMART goal technique to develop any learning or development goals that are identified from the reflection and feedback discussion.
Although some collaborators who are also supervisors or clinical educators in a formalized training program may choose to use this tool as an initiation for delivery of formal teaching, this is an extension of the DONCS tool and not a requirement.
Forms and Templates
The DONCS tool is available on the ANZCAP Digital platform. Ideally pharmacists and collaborators will enter relevant information into the digital tool in real time and confirm involvement and accomplishment of Collaborative Learning Experience criteria.
Alternatively, pharmacists may use DONCS tools from their own workplace and upload it to the digital platform where they can then confirm completion of a Collaborative Learning Experience.
For further details on how to complete a Learning Experience on the ANZCAP digital platform please refer to the How to complete a Learning Experience article.
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