pharm

SHP ACPE Model and Pharmacy Technician Education

  • Overview of SHP ACPE Model
    • Outlines accredited pharmacy technician education and training programs.
    • Must cover essential topics such as:
    • Pharmacological basic law
    • Medication order entry
    • Sterile compounding calculations

PTCB Competency Domains

  • Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB): Sets the following competency domains:

    1. Medication
    2. Federal requirements
    3. Patient safety and quality assurance
    4. Order entry and processing

  • NHA (National Health Career Association) and EXCPT (Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians):

    • Similar structure focusing on medication safety, regulations, and processing accuracy.

Core Technical Competencies

  • Key areas of knowledge and skill:
    • Pharmacology knowledge:
    • Understanding drug classes, doses, and interactions.
    • Mathematical accuracy:
    • Conversions, dose calculations, and compounding subnets.
    • Order processing:
    • Involves verifying patient information and using computer systems.
    • Compounding skills:
    • Measuring, mixing, and labeling non-sterile and sterile products.
    • Safety and confidentiality:
    • Compliance with HIPAA and general ethics in patient care.
    • Professional conduct:
    • Maintaining confidentiality and ethical behavior.

Soft Skills and Professionalism

  • Employers value soft skills in pharmacy technicians.
  • Examples include:
    • Kindness and compassion towards patients
    • Ability to remain calm under pressure
    • Professional demeanor and efficient communication
    • Importance of teamwork and respect for diversity.

Section Two: Professional Associations

  • Significance of professional associations:
    • Define identity and shape the future scope of practice for pharmacy technicians.
    • Connecting with organizations fosters professional growth and development.

Certification vs. Licensure

  • Difference between certification and licensing:
    • Certification indicates successful completion of a national exam.
    • Example: CTHP certification (Certified Pharmacy Technician).
    • License/registration required at the state level for practicing technicians.

Job Settings for Pharmacy Technicians

1. Community Retail Pharmacy

  • Common responsibilities:
    • Receive prescriptions, input data, print labels, count/package drugs, and maintain records.
    • Essential skills include customer service and managing insurance claims.

2. Hospital Settings

  • Inpatient environment focused on supplying medications to hospital units:
    • Involves compounding sterile products (IV medications).
    • Technicians must pass regular competency assessments to ensure skill level.

3. Long-Term and Home Health Care

  • Settings include nursing homes and assisted living facilities:
    • Responsibilities include bubble packing medications, documenting administration, and managing refills.

4. Mail Order and Central Fill Pharmacies

  • Tasks include bulk filling and shipping prescriptions:
    • Necessary skills involve computer literacy, attention to detail, and understanding of controlled substances.

5. Specialty Pharmacies

  • Focus on high-cost and complex medications:
    • Roles cover prior authorizations, cold chain storage, and medication tracking.
    • Technicians must be aware of specific medication handling protocols during shipping.

6. Government and Military Pharmacies

  • Opportunities in Veterans Affairs, Indian Health Service, and military bases:
    • Provides unique structural and operational protocols and offers advanced technology roles.

7. Industry, Compounding, and Education

  • Roles include quality assurance, manufacturing, or teaching:
    • Educational roles involve training future pharmacy technicians.

Professional Image

  • Representing the pharmacy profession daily is critical:
    • Importance of personal presentation and demeanor in the workplace
    • Dress code includes clean uniforms, name badges, and minimal jewelry for safety.

Skills for Maintaining Professional Image

  • Communication Skills:
    • Using patient-first language instead of dismissive comments (e.g., “that's not my job”).
  • Teamwork:
    • Following a chain of command for reporting issues and ensuring clear communication.
  • Cultural Sensitivity:
    • Important for patient interactions and compliance.

Career Growth and Advancements

  • Possible roles include:
    • Lead Technician, Inventory Manager, IV Specialist, Technician Trainer, Pharmacy Informatics Technician.
    • Credentials available:
    • Certified Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician (CSPT) and specialty certificates in various pharmacy practices.

Lifelong Learning

  • The pharmacy technician profession encourages ongoing education and skill enhancement.
  • Emerging roles include Technician Product Verification (TPV) and Medication Reconciliation.

Summary of Key Points

  • Competencies: Necessary skills for pharmacy technicians.
  • Associations: Organizations that support, certify, and provide resources.
  • Settings: Diverse environments where skills are applied, requiring professionalism and precision.