Chapter 3 Pharmacy Settings for Technicians Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Introduction Vocation of pharmacy technician began as a clerk with minimal tasks that related to understanding medicinesVocation of pharmacy technician began as a clerk with minimal tasks that related to understanding medicines Each of America’s 50 states has not standardized the qualifications and job descriptions for the pharmacy technicianEach of America’s 50 states has not standardized the qualifications and job descriptions for the pharmacy technician

Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Introduction (continued) Each state’s Board of Pharmacy determines what standards are and how they must be met by techniciansEach state’s Board of Pharmacy determines what standards are and how they must be met by technicians Technicians throughout the United States will become respected as pharmacy paraprofessionalsTechnicians throughout the United States will become respected as pharmacy paraprofessionals

Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Historically, technicians have answered to a variety of titles like the following:Historically, technicians have answered to a variety of titles like the following: –Pharmacy clerk –Pharmacist assistant –Pharmacy aid –Pharmacy technician –Pharmacy helper

Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Historic Data (continued) Job responsibilities are billing, ordering, stock clerk, typist, phone receptionist, troubleshooter, cashier, and errand runnerJob responsibilities are billing, ordering, stock clerk, typist, phone receptionist, troubleshooter, cashier, and errand runner

Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Current Qualifications Each state has own Board of Pharmacy overseen by the National Association Boards of PharmacyEach state has own Board of Pharmacy overseen by the National Association Boards of Pharmacy Board of Pharmacy registers technicians and licenses pharmacists. Also provides consumers with a way to complain or report any problems or illegal actions they have experienced in a pharmacyBoard of Pharmacy registers technicians and licenses pharmacists. Also provides consumers with a way to complain or report any problems or illegal actions they have experienced in a pharmacy Board of Pharmacy reviews and updates current rules and regulations pertaining to pharmacy practice; expands use of technicians in the pharmacy fieldBoard of Pharmacy reviews and updates current rules and regulations pertaining to pharmacy practice; expands use of technicians in the pharmacy field

Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Nonjudgmental Duties Technicians perform many types of nonjudgmental dutiesTechnicians perform many types of nonjudgmental duties Nonjudgmental means final approval for any task completed in a pharmacy setting; must be checked and approved by a pharmacistNonjudgmental means final approval for any task completed in a pharmacy setting; must be checked and approved by a pharmacist Limits technicians from interpreting scientific studies, counseling patients, conferring with other medical personnelLimits technicians from interpreting scientific studies, counseling patients, conferring with other medical personnel

Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Inpatient Setting Requirements Inpatient pharmacy refers to hospitals in which patients stay overnight or longer, depending on the procedures they requireInpatient pharmacy refers to hospitals in which patients stay overnight or longer, depending on the procedures they require Inpatient pharmacies traditionally have different types of stock than outpatient pharmaciesInpatient pharmacies traditionally have different types of stock than outpatient pharmacies

Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Inpatient Setting Requirements Stat (emergency) Orders–Technicians must be able to react in a moment’s notice when stat orders are receivedStat (emergency) Orders–Technicians must be able to react in a moment’s notice when stat orders are received Stat doses are to be delivered within 15 minutes to the stations requesting them (ER, OR, ICU, CCU)Stat doses are to be delivered within 15 minutes to the stations requesting them (ER, OR, ICU, CCU)

Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Inpatient Setting Requirements Inpatient pharmacy requires the ability to prepare parenterals, hyperalimentations, and chemotherapyInpatient pharmacy requires the ability to prepare parenterals, hyperalimentations, and chemotherapy Technicians are required to help the pharmacist answer phones, prepare first doses, load medication drawers (24-hour supply), prepare unit dose medicationsTechnicians are required to help the pharmacist answer phones, prepare first doses, load medication drawers (24-hour supply), prepare unit dose medications

Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Inpatient Setting Requirements Two reasons for repackaging medications:Two reasons for repackaging medications: –The drug companies do not have the medication available in unit dose –The hospital has chosen to prepare its own medication for cost-saving reasons

Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Inpatient Setting Requirements Common job descriptions of inpatient technicians: Refer to list and descriptions on page 31Common job descriptions of inpatient technicians: Refer to list and descriptions on page 31 Inventory technician, Robot filler, IV technician, Chemotherapy technician, Anticoagulant technician, Clinical technician, Supervisory technicianInventory technician, Robot filler, IV technician, Chemotherapy technician, Anticoagulant technician, Clinical technician, Supervisory technician

Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Outpatient Settings Requirements Outpatient pharmacy–difficult task due to front-line interaction with patients on a daily basisOutpatient pharmacy–difficult task due to front-line interaction with patients on a daily basis Job tests communication skills and stress levelJob tests communication skills and stress level High volume of interacting on the telephone, taking in refill prescriptions, answering insurance questionsHigh volume of interacting on the telephone, taking in refill prescriptions, answering insurance questions

Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Outpatient Settings Requirements Computer skills are needed to access patient informationComputer skills are needed to access patient information Stock must be ordered in a timely mannerStock must be ordered in a timely manner Billing to insurance companies and knowing the various rules, regulations, and special codes for each prescription is importantBilling to insurance companies and knowing the various rules, regulations, and special codes for each prescription is important

Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Outpatient Settings Requirements Job descriptions of Outpatient Technicians–refer to page 32Job descriptions of Outpatient Technicians–refer to page 32 Insurance billing technician, Retail technician, Stock inventory technician, Technician recruiter, and Technician trainerInsurance billing technician, Retail technician, Stock inventory technician, Technician recruiter, and Technician trainer

Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Home Health Setting Requirements A home health pharmacy fits somewhere between an inpatient and an outpatient pharmacyA home health pharmacy fits somewhere between an inpatient and an outpatient pharmacy Technicians process medications for patients on a weekly or monthly basisTechnicians process medications for patients on a weekly or monthly basis There are no patients, doctors, nurses, or other health care providers in this pharmacyThere are no patients, doctors, nurses, or other health care providers in this pharmacy

Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Home Health Setting Requirements Home health pharmacies are based away from hospital sites and are not open to the publicHome health pharmacies are based away from hospital sites and are not open to the public Couriers deliver medications to the home health clientsCouriers deliver medications to the home health clients Medications are packaged in cardboard blister packsMedications are packaged in cardboard blister packs

Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Home Health Setting Requirements Home health nurses provide services in the home setting and receive supplies from the pharmacy, or patient’s family may pick up or have supplies deliveredHome health nurses provide services in the home setting and receive supplies from the pharmacy, or patient’s family may pick up or have supplies delivered

Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Mail Order Pharmacy/E-Pharmacy These types of pharmacies provide for common acquired illnesses of older peopleThese types of pharmacies provide for common acquired illnesses of older people Large buildings in industrial areas that are used to process new or refill prescriptionsLarge buildings in industrial areas that are used to process new or refill prescriptions New area of pharmacy that is steadily growingNew area of pharmacy that is steadily growing

Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. National Certification for Technicians Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) administers the certification exam three times a year in all 50 statesPharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) administers the certification exam three times a year in all 50 states Four major societies developed guidelines to gauge technicians: ASHP, APhA, ICHP, MPAFour major societies developed guidelines to gauge technicians: ASHP, APhA, ICHP, MPA

Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. National Certification for Technicians The following are goals for pharmacy technicians:The following are goals for pharmacy technicians: –To work more effectively with pharmacists –To provide greater patient care and services –To create a minimum standard of knowledge –To help employers determine knowledge base

Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. National Certification for Technicians Not all states’ requirements for technicians are standardizedNot all states’ requirements for technicians are standardized Most, if not all, require technicians to have a high school diplomaMost, if not all, require technicians to have a high school diploma Technicians who have successfully passed the 140-question exam can use the title Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) behind his/her nameTechnicians who have successfully passed the 140-question exam can use the title Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) behind his/her name

Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Technician Duties and Qualifications Refer to Box 3.1 for duties of a certified technicianRefer to Box 3.1 for duties of a certified technician Refer to Box 3.2 for characteristics of a certified technicianRefer to Box 3.2 for characteristics of a certified technician

Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Opportunities for Technicians Proper educational training (AS or BS in computer science) can lead to writing software or supplying supportProper educational training (AS or BS in computer science) can lead to writing software or supplying support Can also write curriculums, articles, and books for technician trainingCan also write curriculums, articles, and books for technician training Completion of training programs offers degrees, such as certificates, diplomas, AA, AS, BA, or BSCompletion of training programs offers degrees, such as certificates, diplomas, AA, AS, BA, or BS

Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Opportunities for Technicians Nontraditional technician jobs (refer to descriptions on page 34)Nontraditional technician jobs (refer to descriptions on page 34) Pharmacy business management operatorsPharmacy business management operators Computer support technicians, Software writer, Authors, Poison control call center operator, Nuclear pharmacy technician, Director/Instructor in training programComputer support technicians, Software writer, Authors, Poison control call center operator, Nuclear pharmacy technician, Director/Instructor in training program

Copyright © 2004 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Incentive Programs Pharmacies sometimes have incentive programs for employees who want to further their career in pharmacyPharmacies sometimes have incentive programs for employees who want to further their career in pharmacy Reimbursement of tuition costs or pay incentives are givenReimbursement of tuition costs or pay incentives are given Reimbursement for passing the PTCB examinationReimbursement for passing the PTCB examination