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Paradigm Publishing, Inc. 1 Chapter 14 Your Future in Pharmacy Practice

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Increasing Your Employability Career outlook for pharmacy paraprofessionals is bright. Pharmacy technicians are gaining recognition for the roles they play in a wide range of pharmaceutical services. 2 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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3 Terms to Remember paraprofessional a trained person who assists a professional person professional someone with recognized expertise in a field who is expected to use his or her knowledge and skills to benefit others and to operate ethically with some autonomy

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Paradigm Publishing, Inc. 4 Increasing Your Employability Adjusting to the work environment Professionalism and the technician Hierarchy of technician positions Professional organizations

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Adjusting to the Work Environment Transition to the pharmacy work environment may require some adjustments. Tips for adjusting to the workplace Attitude: Have a positive one and remember that you are part of a team. Reliability: Be on time, available, and dependable. 5 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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Adjusting to the Work Environment Tips for adjusting to the workplace (continued): Accuracy and responsibility: Develop work habits that ensure accuracy. Relating to your supervisor: Be respectful of your supervisors experience and knowledge. Personality: Be cooperative, self-confident, and enthusiastic. Performance: Devote your full attention to your job throughout your work shift. 6 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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Adjusting to the Work Environment Tips for adjusting to the workplace (continued): Questioning: Do not be afraid to ask questions. Dress: Follow the dress code of your organization. Receptivity: Listen to advice and accept criticism gracefully. Etiquette: Pay attention to your workplace culture and emphasize courtesy. 7 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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Adjusting to the Work Environment Tips for adjusting to the workplace (continued): Alliances: Forge alliances with your colleagues, but do not engage in clique-ish behavior. Reputation: Make yourself indispensable to the organization. Luck: You can control your own luck somewhat by cultivating your alliances. 8 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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Adjusting to the Work Environment Tips for adjusting to the workplace (continued): Learning: Stay current with new developments in the practice of pharmacy. Expertise: Deepen your knowledge in different areas of the profession. Reflectiveness: Take time to reflect on your career path so you can plan where you would like it to take you. 9 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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Professionalism and the Technician Pharmacy technicians are increasingly asked to seek credentials. As part of the pharmacy profession, technicians are expected to Be qualified to perform the duties required Use their specific skills and knowledge Adhere to a code of ethical conduct 10 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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Professionalism and the Technician Licensure refers to the granting of a license by the state. Certification is the process by which an organization recognizes individuals who have met certain qualifications. Registration generally refers to a requirement that individuals in a profession sign up with a state agency. 11 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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12 Terms to Remember credential a documented piece of evidence of ones qualifications licensure the granting of a license by the state, usually to work in a profession, in order to protect the public

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Paradigm Publishing, Inc. 13 Terms to Remember certification the process by which a professional organization grants recognition to an individual who has met certain predetermined qualifications registration mandatory signing up or registering with the State Board of Pharmacy before starting to practice

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Professionalism and the Technician Certification is becoming a requirement in many states. Other states recognize pharmacy technicians through licensure or registration. Renewal of licensure or registration is required in three-fourths of US states. 14 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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Professionalism and the Technician The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) was established in 1995. Its mission is to establish and maintain criteria for certification and recertification of pharmacy technicians. It developed the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (PTCE), which has certified over 275,000 technicians. 15 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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16 Terms to Remember Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (PTCE) an examination developed by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) that technicians must pass to be certified and receive the title of CPhT

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Professionalism and the Technician Anyone with a high school diploma and without felony convictions is eligible to sit for the PTCE. The PCTE seeks to verify the candidates knowledge and skill base; it is comprehensive in scope. 17 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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Professionalism and the Technician The PCTE consists of 90 multiple choice questions and is administered online. Scores are based on the total number of correct answers; a passing score is 650. About 80% of candidates pass the test. 18 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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Professionalism and the Technician PTCB requires recertification every two years. Technicians must earn 20 hours of continuing education credit. Pharmacy-related continuing education can be provided by professional organizations, employers, Web sites, or journals. 19 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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20 Terms to Remember Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) a pharmacy technician who has passed the PTCE examination

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Hierarchy of Technician Positions Many organizations have different levels of technician responsibilities with corresponding job titles, such as Technician I and II, Technician Specialist, and Senior Technician. Responsibility and pay increase as the technician moves up the company ladder. 21 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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Professional Organizations As part of the pharmacy profession, technicians should get involved in the decisions that affect the profession: Volunteering to serve on a committee of a pharmacy organization Running for office in the local chapter of NPTA or AAPT Attending a national pharmacy convention Sharing these service experiences with colleagues helps advance the profession. 22 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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Job Search What characteristics do hiring managers look for in a pharmacy technician? Good communication and interpersonal skills Ability to perform accurate and precise work Dependability 23 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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24 Job Search Clarify your career goals Write a good rsum Establish a network Identify and research potential employers Write a strong cover letter Prepare for the interview

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Clarify Your Career Goals Determine your preferred pharmacy setting (if uncertain, interview pharmacy personnel in these settings). Consider what you want out of the job: Retail management experience? Experience preparing sterile products or compounding nonsterile products? Experience in ordering, inventory, and billing? 25 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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Write a Good Rsum A rsum is the marketing tool; the product being marketed is you. Your rsum should follow a consistent, standard format. Be conservative when choosing stationery and envelopes. 26 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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Write a Good Rsum Check carefully for Spelling Grammar Usage Punctuation Capitalization Always have someone else proofread your rsum. 27 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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Write a Good Rsum 28 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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Establish a Network Tell everyone you know that you are looking for a job. Find out the needs of potential employers. Join professional organizations, attend meetings, and network with colleagues. 29 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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Write a Strong Cover Letter The cover letter is the first communication you send to a potential employer. It should highlight your qualifications and call attention to your rsum. Proofread the cover letter carefully. Whenever possible, address the cover letter to a specific person. 30 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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Prepare for the Interview Find out all you can about the employer before the interview. Review your research and role-play an interview situation. Eat well and sleep well the day before and day of the interview. 31 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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Prepare for the Interview Rehearse answers to common interview questions (see Table 14.5). Be ready to describe past situations that illustrate your qualifications. Have your own questions ready to ask if the opportunity arises. Always follow up with a thank-you note. 32 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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33 Ethics in Pharmacy Practice Codes of behavior Dilemmas and questions facing healthcare professionals

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Codes of Behavior Ethical codes are based on a relationship of trust between the professional and the client (patient). The professional service is not standardized; it is unique and personal. The patient does not have the skills and knowledge to go it alone; he or she must rely on the professional. 34 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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Codes of Behavior A professional must meet certain criteria: Holds a specialized body of knowledge Has an altruistic set of attitudes that influence his or her professional behavior Is subject to social sanction the trust between the society and the professional, and the rewards it entails 35 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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Dilemmas and Questions When faced with an ethical dilemma in the pharmacy, the technician should ask these questions: What is the dilemma? What pharmaceutical alternatives apply? What is the best alternative, and can it be justified on moral grounds? Pharmacy technicians must recognize, accept, and apply the ethical standards of pharmacy practice. 36 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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37 Trends in Pharmacy Practice Workforce issues New medicines and new drug development technologies Increased healthcare and drug costs

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Workforce Issues The need for pharmacy technicians will continue to grow. The volume of prescriptions is estimated to double in the next 5 to 15 years. The number of pharmacists is expected to grow only 30% in that time. 38 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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Workforce Issues Pharmacy technicians will be needed to fill the gap. 39 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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Workforce Issues Increased emphasis on mail-order pharmacies Mail-order is the fastest growing distribution channel. Mail-order pharmacies are basically highly automated warehouse operations. Pharmacists and technicians will be needed to oversee operations. 40 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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Workforce Issues Increased emphasis on managed care Pharmacy will be called upon to provide the best drug therapy at the lowest cost. Technicians will find new opportunities in support roles. Communication, writing, and computer application skills will be needed. 41 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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Workforce Issues Increased geriatric applications Importance and volume of medication will increase with an aging population. Medicare Part D will provide drug insurance to a greater number of older patients. 42 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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Workforce Issues Increased emphasis on home healthcare Home healthcare is growing rapidly because of reduced cost and preference of patients to be treated at home. More pharmacy technicians will be needed to service this industry. 43 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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Workforce Issues Growth in clinical applications Educational and counseling functions will become more important. There will be more pharmacy specialization (cholesterol control, TPN, pharmacokinetics, etc.). This growth will require increasing support from pharmacy technicians. 44 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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Workforce Issues Increases in technician responsibility and specialization Technicians will be given more responsibility. Technicians will follow pharmacists into increasing specialization. Technicians may be asked to work more with patients to assist with medical devices. 45 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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New Medicines and New Drug Development Technologies The pace of innovation is increasing rapidly for new dosage forms and drug delivery mechanisms: Transdermal patches Ocular inserts Wearable IV infusion pumps 46 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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New Medicines and New Drug Development Technologies Robotics and technology will play a larger role: Automated compounding, filling, labeling, and recordkeeping devices Increased emphasis on e-prescribing and eMAR 47 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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Increased Healthcare and Drug Costs The US spends the highest percentage of GNP on health care. The US is not among the leaders in average life span: Risky health behavior 47 million citizens without health insurance 48 Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

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Increased Healthcare and Drug Costs The costs for patient care are expected to outpace inflation over the next decade. Patients are becoming more sensitive to the costs of health care and prescriptions. Pharmacy staff will have to work with patients to find the most cost-effective options. Paradigm Publishing, Inc. 49