The Pharmacy
Technician 4E
Chapter 2
The Pharmacy Technician
Chapter Outline
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The Pharmacy Technician
Personal Standards
Training & Competency
Certification
Pharmacy Technician
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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 (HIP AA)- 1996
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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A legal proof or a document that an individual meets
certain standards provided by a neutral professional
organization.
Two certification bodies:
1. PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board)
offers a National Examination to become a CPhT
(Certified Pharmacy Technician).
2. ICPT (Certification of Pharmacy Technicians) offers
a National Examination to become ExCPT.
As of 2010,
PTCB certified 363,000 pharmacy
technicians.
Certification
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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.
The Pharmacy Technician Exam (PTCE)
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Length – 90 minutes, all multiple questions, computerize
test.
To take the examination, a pharmacy tech must
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Complete high school or have a GED.
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NEVER have been convicted of a felony.
Tests in areas of:
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Assisting the pharmacist in serving patients (66%).
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Medication distribution (22%).
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Inventory control systems of pharmacy operations
(12%).
Score – 650 out of 900 points.
The Exam for the Certification of
Pharmacy Technicians (ExCPT)
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Contains 110 multiple choice questions.
To take the examination, a pharmacy tech must
 Complete high school or have a GED.
 NEVER been convicted of a felony.
 Must be 18 years old.
Test areas:
 Regulations and technician duties (25%).
 Drugs and drug products (23%).
 Dispensing process (52%).
Pharmacy Technician Examination
Contact Information
PTCE
2215 Constitution Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20037
(202) 429-7596
ExCPT
2536 S Old Hwy 94, Suite
224
St. Charles, MO 63303
(314) 442-6775
Terms to Remember
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8.
Certification
Competent
Confidentiality
Inventory
Personal inventory
Professionals
Scope of practice
Technicians