1. © Paradigm Publishing, Inc. 1 Chapter 14 Your Future in Pharmacy Practice

2. Increasing Your Employability Career outlook for pharmacy paraprofessionals is bright. Pharmacy technicians are gaining recognition for the roles they play in a wide range of pharmaceutical services. 2 © Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

3. 3 Increasing Your Employability Adjusting to the work environment Professionalism and the technician Hierarchy of technician positions Professional organizations

4. Adjusting to the Work Environment Transition to the pharmacy work environment may require some adjustments. Tips for adjusting to the workplace –Attitude: Have a positive one and remember that you are part of a team. –Reliability: Be on time, available, and dependable. 4 © Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

5. Adjusting to the Work Environment Tips for adjusting to the workplace (continued): –Accuracy and responsibility: Develop work habits that ensure accuracy. –Relating to your supervisor: Be respectful of your supervisor’s experience and knowledge. –Personality: Be cooperative, self-confident, and enthusiastic. –Performance: Devote your full attention to your job throughout your work shift. 5 © Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

6. Adjusting to the Work Environment Tips for adjusting to the workplace (continued): –Questioning: Do not be afraid to ask questions. –Dress: Follow the dress code of your organization. –Receptivity: Listen to advice and accept criticism gracefully. –Etiquette: Pay attention to your workplace culture and emphasize courtesy. 6 © Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

7. Adjusting to the Work Environment Tips for adjusting to the workplace (continued): –Learning: Stay current with new developments in the practice of pharmacy. –Expertise: Deepen your knowledge in different areas of the profession. –Reflectiveness: Take time to reflect on your career path so you can plan where you would like it to take you. 7 © Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

8. Professionalism and the Technician Pharmacy technicians are increasingly asked to seek credentials. As part of the pharmacy profession, technicians are expected to –Be qualified to perform the duties required –Use their specific skills and knowledge –Adhere to a code of ethical conduct 8 © Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

9. Professionalism and the Technician Licensure refers to the granting of a license by the state. Certification is the process by which an organization recognizes individuals who have met certain qualifications. Registration generally refers to a requirement that individuals in a profession sign up with a state agency. 9 © Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

10. Professionalism and the Technician Some states require completion of an accredited technical education program plus a defined amount of work experience. PTEC suggests developing a 2 year associate degree standard for technician training. 10 © Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

11. Professionalism and the Technician The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) was established in 1995.PTCB Its mission is to establish and maintain criteria for certification and recertification of pharmacy technicians. It developed the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (PTCE), which has certified over 275,000 technicians. 11 © Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

12. Professionalism and the Technician Anyone with a high school diploma and without felony convictions is eligible to sit for the PTCE. The PCTE seeks to verify the candidate’s knowledge and skill base; it is comprehensive in scope. 12 © Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

13. Professionalism and the Technician PTCB requires recertification every two years. Technicians must earn 20 hours of continuing education credit. Pharmacy-related continuing education can be provided by professional organizations, employers, Web sites, or journals. 13 © Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

14. Professional Organizations As part of the pharmacy profession, technicians should get involved in the decisions that affect the profession: –Volunteering to serve on a committee of a pharmacy organization –Running for office in the local chapter of NPTA or AAPT –Attending a national pharmacy convention Sharing these service experiences with colleagues helps advance the profession. 14 © Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

15. 15 Job Search Clarify your career goals Write a good résumé Establish a network Identify and research potential employers Write a strong cover letter Prepare for the interview

16. Clarify Your Career Goals Determine your preferred pharmacy setting (if uncertain, interview pharmacy personnel in these settings). Consider what you want out of the job: –Retail management experience? –Experience preparing sterile products or compounding nonsterile products? –Experience in ordering, inventory, and billing? 16 © Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

17. Write a Good Résumé A résumé is the marketing tool; the product being marketed is you. Your résumé should follow a consistent, standard format. Be conservative when choosing stationery and envelopes. 17 © Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

18. Write a Good Résumé Check carefully for –Spelling –Grammar –Usage –Punctuation –Capitalization Always have someone else proofread your résumé. 18 © Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

19. Write a Good Résumé 19 © Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

20. Establish a Network Tell everyone you know that you are looking for a job. Find out the needs of potential employers. Join professional organizations, attend meetings, and network with colleagues. 20 © Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

21. Identify and Research Potential Employers Research potential employers at –Your school’s career center –A career library Search Web job sites for career opportunity postings.Web 21 © Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

22. Write a Strong Cover Letter The cover letter is the first communication you send to a potential employer. It should highlight your qualifications and call attention to your résumé. Proofread the cover letter carefully. Whenever possible, address the cover letter to a specific person. 22 © Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

23. Prepare for the Interview Find out all you can about the employer before the interview. Review your research and role-play an interview situation. Eat well and sleep well the day before and day of the interview. 23 © Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

24. Prepare for the Interview Rehearse answers to common interview questions (see Table 14.5). Be ready to describe past situations that illustrate your qualifications. Have your own questions ready to ask if the opportunity arises. Always follow up with a thank-you note. 24 © Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

25. Ethics in Pharmacy Practice The benefit of studying ethics is that you internalize a set of guidelines based on a high professional standard. These will guide your decision making and actions. 25 © Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

26. Codes of Behavior Ethical codes are based on a relationship of trust between the professional and the client (patient). The professional service is not standardized; it is unique and personal. The patient does not have the skills and knowledge to “go it alone”; he or she must rely on the professional. 26 © Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

27. Codes of Behavior A professional must meet certain criteria: –Holds a specialized body of knowledge –Has an altruistic set of attitudes that influence his or her professional behavior –Is subject to social sanction ─ the trust between the society and the professional, and the rewards it entails 27 © Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

28. Dilemmas and Questions When faced with an ethical dilemma in the pharmacy, the technician should ask these questions: –What is the dilemma? –What pharmaceutical alternatives apply? –What is the best alternative, and can it be justified on moral grounds? Pharmacy technicians must recognize, accept, and apply the ethical standards of pharmacy practice. 28 © Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

29. 29 Trends in Pharmacy Practice Workforce issues New medicines and new drug development technologies Increased healthcare and drug costs

30. Workforce Issues The need for pharmacy technicians will continue to grow.grow The volume of prescriptions is estimated to double in the next 5 to 15 years. The number of pharmacists is expected to grow only 30% in that time. 30 © Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

31. Workforce Issues Increased emphasis on mail-order pharmacies Increased emphasis on managed care Increased geriatric applications Increased emphasis on home healthcare Growth in clinical applications 31 © Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

32. Workforce Issues Increases in technician responsibility and specialization –Technicians will be given more responsibility. –Technicians will follow pharmacists into increasing specialization. –Technicians may be asked to work more with patients to assist with medical devices. 32 © Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

33. New Medicines and New Drug Development Technologies Robotics and technology will play a larger role: –Automated compounding, filling, labeling, and recordkeeping devicesdevices –Increased emphasis on e-prescribing and eMAR 33 © Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

34. Increased Healthcare and Drug Costs The US spends the highest percentage of GNP on health care. The US is not among the leaders in average life span: –Risky health behavior –47 million citizens without health insurance 34 © Paradigm Publishing, Inc.