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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.