Objectives. Reality Tech Check: Standardizing Certification of Pharmacy Technicians. Pre Test Question. Pre Test Question.

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1 Reality Tech Check: Standardizing Certification of s Desi Kotis, Pharm.D., FASHP Brittany Huff, Pharm.D. The Speakers Have Nothing to Disclose Objectives Explain the value that s and pharmacy technicians bring to both the profession and the public when they work at the top of their licenses. List current examples from the State of Illinois that advocate for the consensus of technician pharmacy practice across the United States. Discuss the expanded use of and identify opportunities to expand pharmacy technician roles. Which of the following can assist s and with practicing at the top of their license? A) Comprehensive training and certification B)Expanding pharmacy technician roles C)Reducing variation in competency levels of D) All of the above Key goals of the 2017 Stakeholder Consensus Conference include all of the following except: A) Provide recommendations on the definition, education, and entry level requirements of B) Address future advance practice opportunities for C) Discuss advance practice, certification, and regulation of What are examples of ways we can appropriately expand technician roles? A) Discharge B) Pharmacy Analyst Technician C) Informatics Technician D) Medication Reconciliation Technician E) All of the Above Expanding Roles of Pharmacy Technicians Pharmacy technicians play an increasingly important role in public safety Pharmacist and pharmacy technicians are considered to be one of the most accessible healthcare providers As pharmacies expand patient care services, the role of and need for also continue to expand 1

2 Education Requirements Pharmacists Doctor of Pharmacy Degree One year internship under a licensed NAPLEX Exam State Law Exam s Requirements vary by state Some states don t require any formal training beyond high school Formal training/certification Registration/Licensure Some states don t require technicians to be registered No standardized national education requirement Certification Exam administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Illinois Pharmacy Practice Act Licensure Registered Age of 16 or over Is attending or has graduated from an accredited high Registered Certified Within 2 years after initial licensure as a registered pharmacy technician, the licensee must meet the requirements to become licensed as a registered certified pharmacy technician Age 18 years or older Graduated from pharmacy technician training Successfully passed examination by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies Training Train all of its registered in the following topics as they relate to the practice site: 1. The duties and responsibilities of the technicians and s. 2. Tasks and technical skills, policies, and procedures. 3. Compounding, packaging, labeling, and storage. 4. Pharmaceutical and medical terminology. 5. Record keeping requirements. 6. The ability to perform and apply arithmetic calculations. Student Pharmacist Under the supervision of a, may assist in the practice of pharmacy and perform any and all functions delegated to him or her by the Role in Counseling A pharmacy technician may participate the following aspects of patient counseling under the supervision of a : (1) Obtaining medication history; (2) Providing the offer for counseling by a or student (3) acquiring a patient's allergies and health conditions. Continuing Education As a condition for the renewal of a license as a registered certified pharmacy technician, the licensee shall provide evidence of ACPE approved CE credit hours: Total of 20 hours during the 24 months preceding the expiration date of the certificate One hour must be in the subject of pharmacy law One hour must be in the subject of patient safety 2

3 Telepharmacy Any pharmacy engaged in the practice of telepharmacy must ensure, through the use of a video and auditory communication system, that a registered certified pharmacy technician at the remote pharmacy has accurately and correctly prepared any prescription for dispensing according to the prescription Standardizing Technician Pharmacy Practice Developing uniform criteria for an entry level pharmacy technician across the United States can reduce variability in competency and abilities By ensuring that complete appropriate, recognized education and training, safety and accountability can be better guaranteed https%3a%2f%2ff.vimeocdn.com%2fimages_v6%2fshare%2fplay_icon_overlay.png Stakeholder Consensus Conference Sponsored by the Certification Board Collaboration with the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education and the American Society of Health System Pharmacists Conference Focus: Provide recommendations regarding the definition, education, entrylevel requirements, advance practice, certification, and regulation of Conferees were polled on their level of agreement or disagreement regarding 59 statements associated with unresolved pharmacy technician issues. Stakeholder Consensus Recommendations Issue Defining s Education of Entry level knowledge, skills, and abilities Results of Conference Polling Most conferees agreed with the need to create a legal definition of pharmacy technicians and to restrict the use of that occupational title to those who have met specified qualifications Most conferees agreed that national standards should guide technician education and that technician education programs should be accredited Conferees voted on the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities that should be achieved by those who wish to be credentialed as a pharmacy technician for entry level practice Stakeholder Consensus Recommendations Three High Level Goals Issue Certification of State laws and regulations on pharmacy technicians Advance pharmacy technician practice Results of Conference Polling Conferees showed strong support for requiring national certification of technicians ahead of state board of pharmacy registration or licensure, and there was clear disagreement that this should be done without a specified educational requirement Nearly all conferees agreed that variability in state regulations regarding technicians should be minimized and that technician practice should be under the purview of the Conferees generally agreed that the profession of pharmacy s immediate priority, with respect to technician issues, should be development of standards related to entrylevel education and that advanced roles for technicians (and related education and credentials) will evolve over time Reprinted with permission from Northwestern Memorial Hospital 3

4 Advancements in Tech Check Tech Pharmacy Students Tech Check Tech Pharmacy Technician Kit Check Specialized Technician Technician autonomy Expanded role Frees up to focus on patient care Safety and Quality Assurance measures in place Technician Manager Decentralized Technicians Patient Care Advocates RFID Technology Decentralized Technicians Technicians have COMPLETE ownership System designed to accurately check trays Anesthesia trays Emergency crash cart trays Uses RFID technology to ensure accuracy of medication Technician ownership of entire floor Faster medication delivery Improved nursing and patient satisfaction Patient Care Advocates Specialty s Script data entry Benefits investigation Prior authorizations Financial assistance Copay cards Enrollment in manufacturer assistance programs Finding funding using grants and other foundation programs Facilitating shipment of the drug Call center services Refill management Facilitate answering questions Expanding Roles As pharmacy practice continues to advance, one must remember to consider the role of the pharmacy technician and their significant contributions to the profession. Adopt a common vision for s and pharmacy technicians qualifications Accreditation education examination licensure model Licensed with standard core knowledge Provide the with a uniformly educated and competent pharmacy technician 4

5 Expanding Roles By elevating pharmacy technician education and roles, s are able to rely more confidently on their technician s work, allowing more time for clinical work and patient care Which of the following can assist s and with practicing at the top of their license? A) Comprehensive training and certification B)Expanding pharmacy technician roles C)Reducing variation in competency levels of D) All of the above Key goals of the 2017 Stakeholder Consensus Conference include all of the following except: A) Provide recommendations on the definition, education, and entry level requirements of B) Address future advance practice opportunities for C) Discuss advance practice, certification, and regulation of What are examples of ways we can appropriately expand technician roles? A) Discharge B) Pharmacy Analyst Technician C) Informatics Technician D) Medication Reconciliation Technician E) All of the Above References Moné MA. Optimizing the contributions of technicians in pharmacy practice moving the pharmacy profession forward. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2017;74(17): Illinois Pharmacy Practice Act (225 ILCS85) Zellmer WA, Mcallister EB, Silvester JA, Vlasses PH. Toward uniform standards for : Summary of the 2017 Stakeholder Consensus Conference. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2017;57(5):e1 e14. 5