The Pharmacy Technician

The Pharmacy Technician Personal Standards Training and Competency Certification

The “technicians” are individuals who are given a basic level of training designed to help them perform specific task.

To perform their duties, pharmacists today rely upon the assistance of trained support staff called pharmacy technician.

- Technicians perform essential tasks that do no require the pharmacist’s skill or expertise.- They work under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist who is legally responsible for their performance.

Pharmacy Technicians perform such tasks as filling prescriptions, packaging doses, performing inventory control and keeping records.

Technicians give more time to the pharmacists, for activities which require a greater level of expertise (such as counseling patients).

As the job of Pharmacist becomes more complex, the need for technicians has increased

As a result, pharmacy technician is a rapidly growing occupation offering many opportunities.

In 2008-326,000 pharmacy technicians (55,000 pharmacy aides) employed in USA and it is estimated this number will grow by at least 27% through 2018. (Reference)

Like Pharmacists, most pharmacy technicians are employed in community pharmacies and hospitals.

Job responsibilities Receiving prescription Taking patient information Using computers Filling prescription Compounding Inventory control Ordering Working with team as a health professionals

Technicians are entrusted with confidential patient information, dangerous substances and patient perishable products.

Drugs, whether the prescription or over the counter, can be dangerous if it is misused, and mistakes by pharmacy technician can be life threatening.

Technicians should have these personal qualities- Dependable- Detail Oriented- Trustworthy

Technicians must be capable and competent in :- Mathematic and Problem Solving- Language and Terminology- Computer skills- Interpersonal skills

Technicians must follow these interpersonal guidelines :- Health- Hygiene- Appearance

There are legal aspects to many of these standards. Failing to follow them can hurt your job performance and result in legal violations.

Requirements for pharmacy technicians from setting to setting.

An example of a model curriculum for technician training is that of the ASHP.(http://www.ashp.org)

Your training program will prepare you to do your job.

Your employer will monitor and document your competency.

COMPETENCY

Testing Performance

Continuing Education Demonstration of competency during

training will generally be through written tests and practical demonstrations.

Although certification is mainly voluntary, 25 states recognize PTCB certification and some are now requiring that pharmacy technicians earn certification before becoming employed by taking the PTCE or other exam which may be approved by their state board.

Certification is a mark of achievement that employers and others will recognize. Certifications must be renewed every two

years.

PTCE test◦ 90 Questions◦ Computerized

Assisting the pharmacist in serving patients=66% of the exam

Maintaining medication and inventory control=22% of the exam

Participating in the administration and management of pharmacy practice=12% of the exam

1. Which of the following is not a side effect of the Ace Inhibitor (Captopril)? A. Rash

B. AngioedemaC. CoughD. Congestion

2. Which of the following is the primary site of activity for the drug Warfarin? A. Kidney

B. LiverC. BloodD. Heart

3. Which of the following drugs is associated with the reaction of hepatitis? A. Valproic acid

B. QuinidineC. IsoniazidD. Ethosuximide

4. A drug ending in the suffix (pril) is considered a ______. A. Antiviral

B. ACE inhibitorC. AntifungalD. Beta agonist.

In the State of Texas, In order to perform duties in a pharmacy, including technician duties, individuals must have an ACTIVE Pharmacy Technician Trainee or Pharmacy Technician Registration with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy.

Registration requires taking and passing an examination administered by Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).

A pharmacy technician will not be subject to CE audits by TSBP if they remain certified through PTCB.  If a technician does not maintain their PTCB certification, the technician will continue earning 20 CEs