Pharmacy Technician Program

Transcription

1 Pharmacy Technician Program Louisiana State University at Alexandria *** Department of Allied Health Revised July 2004

2 Louisiana State University at Alexandria Department of Allied Health Pharmacy Technician Program Louisiana State University at Alexandria has made a commitment to respond to the needs of the Central Louisiana area for accessible, relevant and high quality education. The university emphasizes marketable skills and promotes economic development and the improvement in the quality of life in the community it serves. Essential components of health care professional s skills are high levels of knowledge or theoretical base, technical skill and professional growth. PROGRAM PURPOSE: The Pharmacy Technology Program is competency-based educational program designed to provide for development of skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to function as a Pharmacy Technician in the health care delivery system. Competency attainment include skills in oral and written communication, computer literacy and skills related to pharmacology, law, calculations and pharmacy management. Opportunities are provided for students to function under the direct supervision of the pharmacist in institutional, retail and long-term settings. PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT BACKGROUND: The need is for pharmacy technicians who are educated and trained to perform safe pharmacy care, tasks and duties under the supervision of the registered pharmacist. As pharmacists have undertaken the expanding pharmaceutical roles of patient education and patient advocacy related to pharmacological agents, the pharmacist technician has assumed increased responsibility and accountability related to pharmacy care. They have become pivotal in achieving pharmacy s destiny of pharmaceutical care, especially in light of the enormous changes in the health care sector. Employment opportunities abound in institutional and community pharmacy practice and will continue to offer challenging career options for pharmacy technicians in the future. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES: At the completion of the Pharmacy Technology Program, the technician will be able to: 1. Assist the pharmacist in collecting, organizing and evaluating information for direct patient care, drug use review and departmental management. Revised July

3 2. Communicate effectively, orally and in writing with clients and all members of the health- system team. 3. Implement the duties and responsibilities of the pharmacy technician while adhering to standards of practice in a variety of health-system settings (retail, institutional and long term). 4. Utilize knowledge of pharmaceutical-medical terms, abbreviations and symbols in screening prescription/medication order for completeness and accuracy. 5. Prepare and distribute medications in a variety of health-system settings using appropriate procedures and operations: A. Perform accurately calculations required for usual dose determinations, solution preparations and pharmacy care practices. B. Utilize knowledge of general chemical and physical properties of drugs in manufacturing and packaging operations. C. Demonstrate proper aseptic technique and packaging in the preparation of medications. 6. Organize and perform accurately essential functions relating to collecting payment and /or billing for pharmacy services or goods. 7. Utilize an established plan in a variety of health-systems to purchase pharmaceuticals, devices and supplies. 8. Maintain pharmacy equipment and facilities in a variety of health-system settings according to established procedures. 9. Assist the pharmacist in monitoring the practice sites and/or service area for compliance with federal, state and local laws, regulations and professional standards. 10. Utilize appropriate procedures and operations to assist the pharmacist in preparing, storing and distributing investigational drug products. 11. Demonstrate appropriate judgement in assisting the pharmacist in monitoring drug therapy. 12. Demonstrate ability to utilize the computer to perform pharmacy functions and maintain client information/profile system. 13. Apply legal and ethical standards to the practice of pharmacy care. 14. Assume responsibility for assisting the pharmacist in improving the pharmaceutical care of patients and adapting pharmacy services for the culturally diverse. 15. Assume accountability for one s own practice, for self-evaluation and for life-long learning. 16. Consistently maintain an image including attitudes, attributes and values appropriate for the profession of pharmacy. ** Program Objectives comply with The Model Curriculum for Pharmacy Technicians Training: developed by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY: The Department of Allied Health is an integral part of LSUA and has developed a statement of philosophy and purpose which is consistent with those of the LSU system and LSUA. This statement of philosophy and purpose is: Revised July

4 Man is an individual having rights, freedoms and responsibilities. Man exists as a unique being of innate worth utilizing adaptive energy to stressors as they occur within his changing environment. He possesses basic physiological, sociocultural and spiritual needs which change according to his developmental processes. Man responds as a holistic individual endowed with uniqueness, dignity and intellect. Society is composed of interdependent individual who, although they have different goals and ideals, organize themselves in a relatively orderly manner to achieve common goals. Society shares an ongoing culture that has diversified beliefs, needs and values which regulate the practices of society and the behavior of individuals. Since society is constantly changing, continuous adaptions and adjustments are necessary. Health (adaption) is a dynamic and fluctuating state of wellness. Health is an integral part of each individual and varies with his own unique ability to adapt within his environment as he moves through his life cycle. The individual has a right to determine the level of wellness that he will maintain as long as he is not a threat to others. The delivery of health care is a process which promotes man s optimum health or peaceful death. Members of the health care team perform in various roles which require communication skills, the ability to problemsolve and the ability to perform with excellence the specific skill of their position. Each team member is essential to the continuity of care provided by the entire health care team. The faculty believes that learning occurs in a variety of ways and is enhanced by self-motivation. We believe optimum learning occurs when the student-instructor relationship permits freedom of inquiry, places responsibility on the student for learning, considers individual differences and goals and provides correlation between theory and practice. We believe that purposeful experiences are important to the teaching-learning process. We further believe that health science education is based on the acquisition and application of concepts from the health sciences, the humanities and from the biological, social, natural and behavioral sciences. It is a process in which goal-oriented activities guide the student in the acquisition of knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to function as a member of the health care team. Education in the health sciences is a life long process which should continue beyond graduation, the responsibility for which lies with the individual. Revised July

5 CURRICULUM: SEMESTER I CREDIT HOURS ENGL 1001 English Composition 3 Health Science 1003 Intro to the Health Care System 1 Health Science 1004 Client Care Interactions 2 Health Science 1400 Health Care Language Applications 3 PHSC 1001 Physical Science 3 TOTAL 12 SEMESTER II Health Science 1102 Pharmacy Practice I / Lab 3 Health Science 1115 Pharmacology for Health Sciences 3 Health Science 1116 Pharmaceutical Dosage 3 Health Science 1151 Pharmacy Clinical Practice I 5 TOTAL 14 SEMESTER III Health Science **** Pharmacy Elective 3 Health Science 1202 Applied Clinical Pharmacology 3 Health Science 1110 Sterile Products / Lab 3 Health Science 1152 Pharmacy Clinical Practice II 5 TOTAL 14 Total Credit Hours 40 Revised July

6 ACADEMIC ADMISSION & PROGRESSION STANDARDS: 1. Students are admitted into the Pharmacy Technology Program for the Fall Semester. Application deadline is May 1 st. 2. Maintain an LSU and Overall GPA of 2.0 or higher. 3. Transfer and continuing students must possess an LSUA and Overall GPA of 2.0 or higher to enroll in or continue in the Pharmacy Technology Program. Requests for course transfer and exemption will be handled on an individual basis. Transfer and exemption requests must be declared prior to beginning the Pharmacy Technology Curriculum. The following guidelines will be used when determining each situation. A. Must have taken a comparable credit hour course in American Society of Health-care Systems Pharmacists (ASHP) accredited Pharmacy Technology Program within the last three years and have achieved a grade of C or better. B. To achieve full transfer credit for courses that have a lab component, students may be required to demonstrate proficiency by attending labs designated by the program coordinator and performing specific lab procedures. C. Proficiency exams will be given to assess lab and clinical skills and must be successfully completed at the level of competency consistent with those of the current students. 4. Students must maintain a 70% average or better in all Pharmacy Technology courses and a satisfactory grade for clinical experiences in order to progress in the sequence. 5. Students must have a course grade of C or better in all courses listed in the Pharmacy Technology Degree in order to graduate with a certificate in Pharmacy Technology. 6. Students performing below the 70% on unit exams are expected to make an appointment within one week of receipt of the results with the instructor. During the conference factors that may have contributed to poor performance will be identified and improvement strategies developed. 7. The grading scale for all Pharmacy Technology courses will be: A B C D F Clinical learning experiences will be graded as satisfactory (S) or unsatisfactory (U). A student with an unsatisfactory evaluation at the end of the semester will result in a course grade of F and prohibit progression in the program. 9. Students who have unsuccessfully completed a Pharmacy Technology course (withdrew after one exam, earned U in clinical component or earned below 70% in theory component) may re-enroll in the course only one time. Revised July

7 DISMISSAL: 1. The Program Director has the right to initiate an administrative withdrawal of any student whose attendance, conduct or scholastic aptitude for the role of pharmacy technician makes it inadvisable for the student to continue the program. This includes, but is not limited to a randomly acquired screening for alcohol or illicit drugs. 2. Immediately dismissal will follow evidence of the following: A. Willfully lying or deceit B. Verbal or physical abuse of patients C. Falsification of records D. Academic dishonesty E. Theft of any personal or company property F. Working under the influence of drugs or alcohol G. Insubordination to faculty or pharmacy personnel H. Being arrested, charged with, convicted of, plead guilty or no contest to or sentenced for criminal offense I. Unethical conduct or unsafe performance of training duties of the pharmacy technician: 1. Violating or threatening the physical, psychological, microbiological, chemical or thermal safety of a client 2. Violating previously mastered principles/learning objectives in carrying out delegate pharmacy technician functions 3. Assuming inappropriate independence in actions and decisions 4. Failing to recognize self limitations, incompetence and/or legal responsibilities 5. Failure to accept moral/legal responsibility for his/her own actions, thereby violating the professional integrity of the pharmacy technician. 6. Falsifying or altering academic records, medical records and physician orders. 7. Representing oneself and a pharmacist 8. Engaging in dispensing, counseling, supervising other support personnel or other duties only belonging to the registered pharmacist 9. Unlawful and unauthorized delivery of any prescription to anyone by the patient or his/her agent 10. Accepting monetary compensation for fulfilling or not fulfilling technician duties during clinical 11. Unauthorized distribution, deliver or possession of any prescription, controlled substance or illegal drug on clinical site premises Students are not permitted to process or have processed any personal or family prescriptions at their clinical site during their clinical period. Students dismissed for any of the above reasons are not eligible to continue in the Pharmacy Technology Revised July

8 Program or repeat courses in pursuit of a Certificate in Pharmacy Technology. ATTENDANCE: The LSUA Student Attendance Policy will be adhered to for students enrolled in the Pharmacy Technology Program. Additional standards include the following: 1. Students are expected to be present and on time for all class, laboratory and clinical sessions. If an absence or tardy is unavoidable, the student must notify the instructor at least 30 minutes prior to occurrence. 2. Students who are absent for two (2) clinical experiences or two (2) class sessions during a semester jeopardizes their ability to achieve course/program objectives and will be given an attendance warning. 3. Students who are consistently late for class and clinical sessions (2 or more times) will be referred to the LSUA Counseling Office for counsel to develop a corrective action plan. MAKE-UP EXAM POLICY: Students who find they are unable to take an examination must notify the course faculty member before or no later than 24 hours after the established exam time. Make-up exams will be given at a time and date designated by the faculty. Students will be notified one week in advance. The type of exam will be given at the discretion of the faculty. A grade of F will be earned if the student fails to notify the faculty as designated or fails to take the makeup exam on the established date and time. UNIFORM POLICY: The LSUA Pharmacy Technology Program has a specific uniform which is to be worn by the student while in the retail or institutional pharmacy. The faculty believe that attributes of professionalism have a great deal to do with attitude, dress and conduct. The uniform will assist the student in projecting a professional demeanor. Non-compliance to the policy will result in dismissal from the health care setting and professional probation. 1. The official Pharmacy Technology Uniform (polo top, lab coat, scrub pants or skirt) must be worn by all students while at clinical sites. The Uniform Selection Guideline document is available in the Department Office. Revised July

9 2. The LSUA Pharmacy Technician patch is worn on the left sleeve of the jacket, three inches below the seam in the center of the sleeve crease. The patch must be sewn in place. No pins or snaps are permitted. 3. The Pharmacy Technician pin and picture ID are to be worn on the left chest area of the jacket. 4. All students are to wear newly laundered wrinkle-free uniforms each clinical day. 5. Standard all white duty shoes are to be worn. 6. Neutral color underclothes, hose or white socks are to be worn. 7. Fingernails are to be without polish and no longer than the fingertips. No artificial nails are allowed. No fingernail jewelry/rhinestones are allowed. 8. Hair is to be off the collar. 9. Only a watch, plain ring without stones and one pair of small pearls, silver to gold colored studs may be worn while in uniform. No other visible earring or body rings are permitted. 10. Cosmetics must be used in moderation and attractively applied. 11. Sideburns, mustaches and beards are acceptable on campus, but may be inappropriate in certain clinical facilities. Students are to meet the standards of the facility. STUDENT HEALTH: 1. Students are responsible for their own health care needs and are encouraged to possess major medical insurance. 2. It is expected that students report to retail, institutional and long-term pharmacy settings for clinical experiences physically and mentally healthy. Student in any state of health that would jeopardize the welfare of the pharmacy staff or clients will not be permitted to remain and the day will be recorded as an absence. Students will not be assigned alternate, non-pharmacy assignments in lieu of being dismissed. 3. Transmission of organisms is a major concern when providing services to infected clients. Following the uniform policy will minimize the transmission of infection. Students must assume responsibility for their own protection through consciously carrying out appropriate infection control measures. 4. Students are not to discuss personal medical problems with physicians or pharmacists during clinical Revised July

10 pharmacy experiences. 5. Students must provide written documentation of the following before being permitted to begin pharmacy learning experiences: A. Negative Mantoux skin test and/or chest x-ray. B. Negative drug screening C. Annual Physical Examination 6. At the discretion of the program director, a student may be required to obtain a physician s statement regarding their physical and/or psychological fitness to continue in the program. 7. A student who is pregnant must obtain a physician s written statement that entry into or continuation in the clinical component of the program is safe. Subsequently, physician approval must be provided after each regularly scheduled physician visit. DRUG TESTING POLICY: This policy applies to all students admitted to health related offerings of the Department of Allied Health. Drug testing may be made only on the basis of a reasonable suspicion, based on objective facts and reasonable inferences, that the student is under the influence of or is impaired by drugs or alcohol. When reasonable suspicions exist and on the express authority of the health agency officer present in the institution, the student will be directed to cooperate in the testing. A student s refusal will result in dismissal from the Department of Allied Health. All testing will be done in strict confidence and results maintained with restricted access. Results of the test will be made known to the appropriate licensing agency on a need to know basis. Students testing positive will be immediately suspended from health care settings until such time that the Louisiana State Board of Pharmacy permission for continuation. ACADEMIC ADVISING: The purpose of the advisor-student program are to: 1. Increase communication between students and faculty 2. Provide the student access to a faculty member with whom he/she can discuss or explore issues important to the student 3. Explore alternatives that may be necessary for the student to meet the objectives of the program. The Pharmacy Technology faculty will assist students with any problems or concerns. All full-time faculty maintain office hours for this purpose. These hours will be posted outside faculty offices, along with a signup sheet for making appointments. Students should schedule appointments during these times. If a student finds that he/she is unable to meet with the advisor during these hours, other times may be set which are mutually acceptable to an advisor and student. It is the student s responsibility to ask for a conference when he/she feels assistance is needed. The student has the responsibility of meeting with the advisor when the advisor requests a conference. Revised July

11 All faculty member s telephones have voice mail. A message may be left on voice mail when faculty are not available to accept calls. In addition to the advisor, the Counseling and Career Center is available to all Pharmacy Technology students. The telephone number is (318) STUDENT REPRESENTATION ON FACULTY COMMITTEES: The faculty encourages student participation and input into matters relevant to the Department of Allied Health. Student representatives will be elected each semester by their peers. Student representatives are expected to attend scheduled meetings and provide input to the faculty by sharing comments, views, reactions and suggestions from peers relevant to the nursing program. It is the student representative s duty to keep his/her peers informed. STUDENT ACTIVITIES: Student life at Louisiana State University at Alexandria provides opportunities for extra curricular activities. The faculty strongly encourages students to participate in extracurricular activities because they believe these activities help in achieving a balanced maturity. Refer to the LSUA Handbook for Student Organizations and the Student Government Association calendar for such opportunities. COURSE COMPLETION: Students will receive a Certificate in Pharmacy Technology upon successful completion of the program. Revised July

12 Louisiana State University at Alexandria Department of Allied Health Approximate Cost TUITION & BOOKS Semester Tuition Books I $1, $ II $1, $ III $1, $ Total Tuition & Books $4, ADDITIONAL COST ITEMS Item Cost Watch $0.00 Bandage Scissors $0.00 Uniforms $20.00 Shoes $0.00 Name Pins $5.00 Health Clearance $ Liability Insurance $20.00 CPR Certification $25.00 Laboratory Fees $0.00 Diploma Fees $20.00 Graduation Cap & Gown $5.00 Licensure/Certification $50.00 Total Additional Cost: $ TOTAL COST $4, Revised July