PHARMACY TECHNICIANS Changing Scope of Practice and Educational Issues Sue Mack-Klinger, B.S.P., B.Sc. Program Head, Pharmacy Technician Program SIAST Kelsey Campus Contact information: mackklingers@siast.sk.ca 659-4091
Background The Health Systems Improvement Act (Bill 171) - June 4, 2007 Ontario Legislature enabled the regulation of pharmacy technicians (title protection August 2007) Professional Competencies for Canadian Pharmacy Technicians at Entry to Practice September 2007 (NAPRA) PEBC national accreditation exam for pharmacy technicians to be piloted fall 2009
SIAST Pharmacy Technician Program 24 seat capacity FQ/FA 1-year certificate program Application for accreditation, status to be announced in early June
Core Program Medical Terminology Pharmaceutical Calculations Pharmaceutical Products Non-Prescription Products Computer Skills Pharmacy Practice Pharmacy Laws & Agreements Hospital Pharmacy Community Pharmacy Professional Trends & Issues Workplace Legislation & Issues
On-Line Courses 7 courses currently on-line Offers training to those unable to locate to city Provides training in remote areas Offers flexibility (study at night, weekends) Discussion over development of bridging programs starting
Practicums One month duration Community Site Hospital Site
Hospital Pharmacy Responsibilities Varies greatly Hospital pharmacy techs validated for: checking carts, night cupboard, missing doses, refills, batched IV's, pre-packing, packing, narcotics, crash cart kits, ward stock, and some manufacturing. Some techs are also checking interim doses (new patient orders). Med Rec (medication history only) at RUH currently showing very positive patient outcomes when completed by pharmacy technicians
Community Pharmacy Responsibilities Receiving prescriptions, entering patient profile Checking new prescriptions against profiles (change? new?) Documentation, filing Filling prescriptions, pill packs, compounding (including calculations) Reference search Third party billing, forms, inquiries Patient education (devices) Business management
Trends & Issues for Pharmacy Technicians Expansion of roles / Increased responsibilities Tech check Tech already practiced in many hospitals Certification of Pharmacy Technician Programs Program accreditation CCAPP (The Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs) Registration / Regulation National examination Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada will be piloting first test in fall 2009 2 Part PEBC exam (written & practical)
Why Accreditation? Meeting educational requirements for PEBC, based on NAPRA competencies and CPTEA learning outcomes National standard for education National standard for entry-to-practice knowledge, and practical abilities Entry to practice knowledge is uniform Protection of Public Safety, Assurance
Why Regulation? Title protection of pharmacy technician Assurance of standard of training and qualification Professional standards for conduct, practice Recognition Accountability
Recognized Need for Bridging Programs Stakeholders require pharmacy technicians for scope of practice changes Educational institutes cannot provide enough graduates for anticipated demand Current resources are there, require upgrading to fill knowledge & practice gap
Issues Current work force and resource pool have limited time available to upgrade Payment for training (employer? employee?) Educational program availability Educational program delivery Educational program value
Pharmacists Association of Saskatchewan Survey for Technicians (Wage & Benefit) 59 pharmacy technicians responded 12 were CAPT members wage & benefit data was collected some questions regarding current role, willingness to upgrade education
Survey Results 61% prefer contact by e-mail 91.7% want self-regulation 83.7% were interested in attending bridging programs similar to what is offered in Ontario (6.1% were not) 89.1% would do 150 hours of training similar to Ontario bridging programs
Highest Level of Training (Survey) Kelsey/SIAST 25.0% On the job 30.4% Other Community College 8.9% Corporate Course (ie Shoppers) 23.2% Hospital Training Course 1.8% Correspondence Course 3.6% Other 7.1%
What Can You Do Now? Recognize gaps in knowledge and practice Professional Competencies for Canadian Pharmacy Technicians at Entry to Practice September 2007 (NAPRA) SaskTech Guide : An Evaluation and Monitoring Tool for Pharmacy Assistants (SCP)
NAPRA Competencies 1. Legal, Ethical, and Professional Responsibilities 2. Professional Collaboration and Teamwork 3. Drug Distribution: Prescription and Patient Information 4. Drug Distribution: Product Preparation 5. Drug Distribution: Product Release 6. Drug Distribution: System and Inventory Controls 7. Communication and Education 8. Management Knowledge and Skills 9. Quality Assurance
Collaborative Work Determining scope of practice, legislation Determining educational needs and organization of training Include stakeholders Resources for training Explore how Regulation and registration PAS steering committee
Watching Our Neighbours Ontario College of Pharmacists Alberta
Ontario http://www.ocpinfo.com/client/ocp/ocphom e.nsf/web/process+for+registration Pass certification exam Bridging program offered 4 courses Management of Drug Distribution Systems (42hrs) Pharmacology (33hrs) Product Preparation (42hrs) Professional Practice (45hrs) Pass PEBC Exam (both parts) Jurisprudence Exam
Conclusion Understand scope of practice changes for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians Anticipate changes and issues Keep informed Review current practice in your workplace and compare critically with Blueprint for Pharmacy (CPhA)