Pharmacy Operations Assisting the Pharmacist Pharmacy Technician Training Systems Passassured, LLC
Pharmacy Operations, Assisting the Pharmacist PassAssured's Pharmacy Technician Training Program Pharmacy Operations Assisting the Pharmacist Click Here for Glossary Index! Click Here to Print Topic Help File,.pdf (Internet Access is Required for this Feature) What to Consider When Assisting the Pharmacist Authority to Prescribe Authority to prescribe is determined at the state level. The state also determines the extent of a practitioner's prescription authority based on the scope of his or her practice Example: Dentist can not treat acne or podiatrist can not give eye care. Prescribers may write prescriptions for OTC items. The Center for Disease Control or CDC is responsible for infection control. "Universal Precautions" is the process of preventing the transmission of blood-borne pathogens. Possible Prescribers Physicians (MD, DO) Podiatrists (DPM) Dentists (DDS, DMD) Optometrists (OD) Veterinarians (DVM) Physician assistants (PA) p2
Nurse practitioners Medical interns and residents Mailed Prescriptions Mailed prescriptions are widely used with verbally authorized prescriptions for Schedule II drugs. The US Postal Service CANNOT be used to send controlled substances to patients. One must use FedEx or UPS. Patient Confidentiality All information in the patient profile is confidential, and a tech should sign a confidentiality statement. Patient information may only be released to the following parties: Patient or patient representative Prescriber or other licensed practitioner caring for the patient Another licensed pharmacist The Board or representative of the Board Others, only with a written release from the patient (example: reimbursement companies) Assisting the Pharmacist in Serving the Patients Activities: Related to traditional pharmacy prescription dispensing and medication distribution A pharmacy technician may not take a verbal prescription. Federal law mandates that only a registered pharmacist take verbal prescription orders from a physician. Only a pharmacist may transfer a prescription to another pharmacy. Only a pharmacist should handle any drug-drug, drug-disease state, or drug-allergy interaction. Verbal counseling should be done by the pharmacist. Pharmacy technicians must have all labels and products checked by a pharmacist. The technician should not offer medical advice to patients. p3
Note: Position or job descriptions are written describing and outlining employee responsibilities and duties. General Definition: The exact definition of a pharmacy technician varies based on the state you live in. However, the basic definition is a person who works under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist and performs many pharmacy-related functions. Pharmacy technicians are used in a wide variety of practice settings, including community pharmacies, hospitals, military settings, in-home health care, long term care, mail service facility, managed health care facilities, and educational/training programs. For the purposes of national voluntary certification, pharmacy technicians are defined as individuals working in a pharmacy, who under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist, assist in pharmacy activities not requiring the professional judgment of a pharmacist. The pharmacy technician is accountable to the supervising pharmacist, who is legally responsible by virtue of state licensure for the care and safety of patients served by the pharmacy. The pharmacy technician performs activities as the result of having certain knowledge and skills. Collecting and Organizing Information: Refers patient to the pharmacist: Side effects Drug to Drug Interaction (The Facts and Comparisons book contains information on drug to drug interactions.) OTC Rx Prescription Utilized in an ambulatory care setting: Walk-in Patients Contents of Prescriptions Patient information Date Name of product Strength Dosage form p4
Quantity Sig. (directions) Label instructions Refills Prescriber information Medication Order Utilized in an institutional setting - hospitals, nursing homes Contents of Medication Order: Patient Information Date Time of day Product name Dosage form Prescriber information Sig. (directions, route, duration) Receiving Refill Requests: Information Obtained from the Patient Patient name and telephone number Prescription number Drug name, strength, and quantity Prescriber information - Doctor's name Reimbursement (third party payer) Calling Prescribers for Refill Authorization Pharmacy name and telephone number Patient name and date of birth Drug name, strength, and quantity Original and last refill date Prescription directions p5
Receiving Electronic Transmission of Prescriptions Transmission of information in electronic form Transmission of the exact visual image of a document by way of electronic equipment Examples: Fax, modem, computer link Pass Assured, LLC, Pharmacy Technician Training Systems Copyright Pass Assured, LLC, Web Site - http:// -o- p6