Download Pharmacy Practice for Technicians

THE PHARMACY
TECHNICIAN
Chapter 2
The Pharmacy Technician
PHARMACY TECHNICIAN
• A pharmacy technician, also called the pharmacy
assistant.
• Works in a pharmacy.
• Works under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist.
• Assists in pharmacy activities that do not require the professional
judgment of a pharmacist.
PHARMACIST
• The pharmacist provides
• The final check on the original prescription with the medication bottle
and label.
• Patient counseling - has the regal responsibility.
PHARMACY TECHNICIANS ROLE
• Originally, many pharmacy techs were trained as
medics in the military.
• Returned after service to take positions in
hospitals.
• In community pharmacy, the pharmacy tech
evolved from clerk or cashier to a pharmacist’s
assistant.
• A pharmacy technician assists the pharmacist with
routine functions.
• Leaves professional decision making and judgment calls to the
pharmacist.
PHARMACY TECHNICIANS ROLE
• Receiving prescriptions
• Using computer
• Inventory control
• Taking patient information
• Filling prescriptions
• Ordering
• Compounding
• Working with a team of health care professionals
EVOLUTION OF THE PHARMACY
TECHNICIAN’S ROLE
• Without pharmacy technicians, pharmacists would not have
sufficient time for the duties involved in “pharmaceutical care.”
• Pharmacy technicians do not have the skill or the training or
the legal accountability to do them.
• Pharmaceutical Care functions include:
• Counseling patients and reviewing medication profiles.
• Monitoring for side effects and adverse reactions.
• Screening patients for disease.
• Discussing cost-effective drug therapy options with the
prescriber.
PHARMACY TECHNICIANS
As of 2008, there are 326,300 Pharmacy Technicians
employed in the U.S.
By 2018, the demand will increase by 31%.
WORK ENVIRONMENTS AND CONDITIONS
• Employment for Pharmacy Technicians
• Community pharmacies (i.e., drugstores) are the most common
workplace.
• Hospital pharmacies are the second most common work place.
• Others
• Home healthcare and long-term care facilities .
• Specialized area of practice (e.g., nuclear pharmacy) with additional
training.
• Mail order and internet Rx.
• Pharmaceutical wholesale.
THE PHARMACY TECHNICIANS
• Scope of practice
• What individuals may and may not do in their jobs.
• Pharmacists dispense, counsel, and advice physicians on drug related
issues.
• Pharmacy Tech assist pharmacists in areas where pharmacists skills or
expertise is not required.
• Job Description is written a document that states
the specific responsibilities and tasks for pharmacy
technicians which differs by settings.
PERSONAL STANDARDS
• Dependable
• Performing the job as required.
• Showing up on time.
• Do what is required.
• Detail oriented
• Drugs are dangerous substances if not properly handled.
• Small mistake can lead to death of a person.
• Trustworthy
• Confidentiality of patient information.
• Access to habit forming drugs/drug with abuse potential.
• Access to expensive drug products.
PERSONAL STANDARDS
• Health
• Has to be in good health or ease of making mistakes, contracting diseases.
• Hygiene
• Deals with several people, patients and customers
• Professional image.
• Appearance
• White lab jacket, grooming, badge, etc.
CHARACTERISTICS
A successful pharmacy technician must possess a wide
range of skills, knowledge, and aptitudes.
Broad knowledge of pharmacy practice that includes:
• Good Mathematics and problem solving skills
• Language and medical terminology - excellent
communication skills
• Computer skills
• Interpersonal skills - dedication to providing a critical
healthcare service to customers and patients
• high ethical standards, willingness to follow instructions
• eagerness to learn
CHARACTERISTICS
A successful pharmacy technician must
possess a wide range of skills, knowledge,
and aptitudes.
• Good research skills.
• Ability to perform accurately and calmly in hectic
or stressful situations.
• Ability to multi-task or work on several projects at
the same time.
HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY &
ACCOUNTABILITY ACT (HIP AA) - 1996
• Refers to privacy and security of patient health
related data.
• Made health care providers responsible for the privacy and security of all
identifiable patient health information
• Called Protected Health Information – PHI.
• Apply to various formats including
• Electronic data, computer files, electronic transmission.
• Paper and hard copy documents.
• Oral communication, or billing and claims.
HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY &
ACCOUNTABILITY ACT (HIPAA)- 1996
• NO casual discussion with anyone about a patient
data.
• Includes patient’s family member, Patient’s friends, etc. without the
patient’s permission/ after signing a waiver.
• NO discussion regarding topics including Medications
and Health issues.
• Making sure files and documents are securely stored where no
unauthorized person can access them.
EDUCATION AND LICENSING
REQUIREMENTS
• In the past, on-the-job training (training in the
workplace) was sufficient for the tech working in a
pharmacy.
• Now, formal technician training programs train
pharmacy technicians for their expanded roles.
• Initially centered in hospitals, now many programs are offered by
community colleges and vocational and technical schools.
EDUCATION AND LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
• ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists)
• Developed a model curriculum to meet the needs of all
practice settings.
• In some states pharmacy technicians must be certified to
practice.
• 250 accredited schools and institutions by ASHP.
• Performance review
• A performance review by an employer based on the job
description.
• An employer is legally responsible for pharmacy tech
performance and competency.
EVOLUTION OF THE PHARMACY TECHNICIAN’S ROLE
• The essential differences in the duties of a
pharmacist and a technician involve:
• Accountability and legal responsibility.
• Making decisions about the patient’s healthcare.
• Most state boards of pharmacy recognize the
existence and importance of the pharmacy
technician.
• Each state board of pharmacy regulates:
• The activities of pharmacy technicians.
• The ratio of pharmacy techs to pharmacists .
COMPETENCY
Being qualified and capable and done in various ways.
• Testing – written test or/and practical demonstration
to show competency.
• Performance is evaluated by an employer.
• Includes performance reviews, comments by your supervisor, and
complaints.
COMPETENCY
• Continuing Education
• An instructional program on new drugs and other pharmacy practice to
keep knowledge updated.
• Probation Period
• The time the pharmacy tech is expected to learn certain skills sets and is
usually 6 months.
• Leads to either permanent employee or dismissal from the job.
CERTIFICATION
• A legal proof or a document that an individual meets
certain standards provided by a neutral professional
organization.
• Two certification bodies:
1.
2.
PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board) offers a National
Examination to become a CPhT (Certified Pharmacy Technician).
ICPT (Certification of Pharmacy Technicians) offers a National
Examination to become ExCPT.
CERTIFICATION
• Certification must be renewed:
• Every 2 years just like the pharmacist license
• Certifications require “continuing Education”, 20 contact hours
• Of these, one hour in pharmacy law every 2 years.
As of 2010,
PTCB certified 363,000 pharmacy
technicians.
THE PHARMACY TECHNICIAN EXAM
(PTCE)
•
•
•
•
Length – 90 minutes, all multiple questions, computerize
test.
To take the examination, a pharmacy tech must
• Complete high school or have a GED.
• NEVER have been convicted of a felony.
Tests in areas of:
• Assisting the pharmacist in serving patients (66%).
• Medication distribution (22%).
• Inventory control systems of pharmacy operations
(12%).
Score – 650 out of 900 points.