Pharmacy Practice – Getting Started
Overview:
This document was developed to help HOSA chapters be successful in the Pharmacy Practice pilot
at the 2015 Colorado HOSA State Leadership Conference. This document will give advisors and
students helpful tips in preparing for the exam and procedures.
Exam:
The exam was created for students who are looking to develop the skills and knowledge necessary
to be a successful pharmacy technician and future pharmacist. The exam for the pharmacy
practice event was developed to simulate the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board exam
(http://www.ptcb.org), an exam most states accept or require to practice as a pharmacy technician.
The text books recommended for this event are utilized in many pharmacy technician programs
and are highly recommended for students who are looking to get certified. To develop HOSA
students’ skills that pharmacist require, we have added a medication formulation section to
demonstrate the importance of pharmacist consults.
This event is also beneficial to students who wish to participate in the Pharmacology knowledge
test. The exam for the Pharmacy Practice event has a large section on pharmacology; thus, the
student can get additional practice for the health science event.
Besides the required textbooks for the event, students can utilize other test prep books. We do not
have any specific recommendations, but there are many resources available. Amazon has a great
selection of study guides (http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=searchalias%3Daps&field-keywords=pharmacy+technician+study+guides). There are also free resources
online (e.g. quizlet.com and studystack.com) that are available, but verify the content before
distributing.
Procedures:
There is currently eight procedures that were developed for this event. Due to the short
timeframe for students to study and practice, the student is only required to learn three
procedures: Procedure I: Identify Problems or Missing Items on Prescriptions, Procedure III:
Donning Aseptic Gear in Sequential Order, and Procedure IV: Aseptic Technique. Of these
three procedures, one or two of them will be tested at the Colorado HOSA State Leadership
Conference pilot.
Procedure I: Identify Problems or Missing Items on Prescriptions: The requirements for both
legend and controlled mediations are covered in the required textbooks. Additionally, you can refer
to the DEA website, http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/faq/prescriptions.htm#rx-2 for a breakdown
of the additional requirements for controlled medications. Attached to this document are some
practice prescriptions with the answers in the judging form. It is recommended that the advisors
and students make up their own prescriptions with problems.
Procedure III: Donning Aseptic Gear in Sequential Order: This procedure is very straight
forward. The required texts have excellent breakdowns of the required steps, as well as the judging
form. Supplies can be purchases at pocketnurse.com. Please see list of gear needed on the
judge’s form. Supplies will be provided at the State Leadership Conference for the event.
Procedure IV: Aseptic Technique: Developing the student’s skills in aseptic technique will require
time and effort. The required textbooks break down the equipment, medications, and techniques.
Other great resources are YouTube (search “aseptic technique”), and Global RPH,
http://www.globalrph.com/aseptic.htm. But textbooks and website can only take you so far.
Practicing the techniques is the best way to master this procedure. The biggest barrier to most
programs would be building a laminar hood to practice. Purchasing one is most likely not be
feasible due to cost. As with many events in HOSA, we can build practice equipment to simulate
the real thing.
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A laminar hood is basically a big box with the front open. The type of laminar hood we would like
the students to learn is a horizontal laminar hood:
The airflow will be from back to front. Please refer to the Global RPH link above to see how they
work. We can create a simulated laminar hood with a simple large, sturdy cardboard box. The
recommended size would be a 4’ x 3’ X 3’ box, but any big box will do. Cut one side out and place
on a table. Secure with tape. If you like, you can run a PCV pipe along the top, so students can
hang their fluids and practice their aseptic technique vertically instead of horizontally on the floor of
the hood. Simulate cleaning your hood, as this will save on you having to replace the cardboard.
Other items you will need are:
- IV solutions (100 mL, 250 mL, and 1000 mL sizes are the most common)
- Vials of medication in powdered form, liquid form, and ampules
- Gauze or swabs (with and without alcohol)
- Luer Lock Syringes (multiple sizes)
- 20 guage, 1 ½ “ needles
Pocketnurse.com is a great resource to obtain these supplies.
Questions/
Concerns?
The University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy is here to help HOSA Advisors and students.
We want to work closely with HOSA to make this a national event. If you have any questions or
concerns, please contact us at pharmd.info@ucdenver.edu or 303-724-8457.
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Procedure I: Identify problems or missing items with the following prescriptions.
a. Prescription 1
Smith, John
5555 W Auraria Ct
Denver, CO 80219
#1 Healthcare Offices
303-555-5656
Rx: Fentanyl 100 mcg patch #90
1 patch Q3 days for 1 month
Refills: 0
Dr. Johnson, MD____________
b. Prescription 2
Smith, John
5555 W Auraria Ct
Denver, CO 80219
720-546-3255
08/15/56
DOB:
#1 Healthcare Offices
1357 E. Bonner St
Denver, CO 80219
303-555-5656
7/27/2014
Rx: Testosterone depot 100 mg/mL #10 mL
Inject 2 mL (200mg) Q2W
Refills: 0
Electronically Signed: N. Johnson, RN____________
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c. Prescription 3
Bullock, Seth
2415 E. Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80219
Colorado Alpine Care
4110 Washington St.
Denver, CO 80209
303-550-5676
(TBD- should be some future date)
Rx: Adderall XR 30 mg #60
Ṫ daily PRN PA
X Dispense as written
Refills: 1
Electronically Signed: Sean Stevenson, MD
d.
Prescription 4
Bullock, Seth
2415 E. Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80219
Colorado Alpine Care
4110 Washington St.
Denver, CO 80209
303-550-5676
(7/29/2014)
Rx: Hydrocodone/APAP 5/325 (Percocet) # 20
Ṫ tab by mouth PRN, stop 1 week from today
Refills: 10
Sean Sternson, MD
DEA: AS2441753
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