STANDARDS OF PRACTICE and the ROLE OF THE PHARMACY TECHNICIAN
Evolution of Pharmacy Technicians
Prior to the 1970s, pharmacy "technicians" (assistants, staff members) were trained on the job in Ontario. Early community college programs trained "technicians" to help primarily with clerical activities(e.g. typing labels, filing prescriptions) and filling medication orders for non-sterile products under the direct supervision of a Registered Pharmacist (RPh). Now Pharmacy Technicians working in a hospital environment are responsible for nearly all of the technical aspects of drug preparation and distribution in the department including sterile product preparation. Pharmacy Technicians are now licensed health professionals and so the title of "Pharmacy Technician" (RPhT) can only be used by those who have gone through the process of registration. (Read more about the registration process on the Ontario College of Pharmacists and Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada websites).
NAPRA Model Standards of Practice for Canadian Pharmacists
The National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) has detailed the Standards of Practice for Pharmacists (MSOPS) practicing in Canada. The four "domains" identified as being of significant importance are: Expertise in Medication and Medication Use, Collaboration, Safety and Quality and Professionalism and Ethics. Take a look at the MSOPS document to view more information regarding each domain.
Role of Pharmacy Technician vs Pharmacists (According to OCP)
With the evolution of Pharmacy Technicians and their registration under the Ontario College of Pharmacists, a distinction between the two professions has perhaps become more important. The OCP offers this clarification: "TECHNICIANS are accountable and responsible for the technical aspects of both new and refill prescriptions (i.e. the correct patient, drug dosage form/route, dose, doctor) and; PHARMACISTS remain accountable and responsible for the therapeutic/clinical appropriateness of all new and refill prescriptions and all therapeutic consultation.”
NAPRA Model Standards of Practice for Canadian Pharmacy Technicians
NAPRA has also provided a document describing the Standards of Practice for Pharmacy Technicians (MSOPPT) practicing in Canada. The four "domains" identified for Pharmacy Technicians are similar to those for Pharmacists. They are: Expertise in Drug Distribution Systems, Collaboration, Safety and Quality and Professionalism and Ethics. Again, have a closer look at the MSOPPT document to read details about each domain.
CPTEA Educational Outcomes for Pharmacy Technician Programs in Canada
In addition to the SOPs provided by NAPRA, the Canadian Pharmacy Technician Educators Association (CPTEA) developed criteria for educators to ensure that all Pharmacy Technician students in Canada were adequately trained for entry level positions in a pharmacy. Specific areas highlighted and detailed were as follows:
• 1.0 ASSUME LEGAL, ETHICAL, AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILTIES.
• 2.0 COMMUNICATE WITH PATIENTS, PATIENTS’ AGENTS, AND HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS.
• 3.0 COLLABORATE WITH THE PHARMACIST AND MEMBERS OF THE HEALTHCARE TEAM.
• 4.0 PROCESS PRESCRIPTIONS IN COMPLIANCE WITH LEGISLATION AND ESTABLISHED POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.
• 5.0 PREPARE PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS FOR RELEASE TO PATIENTS OR THEIR AGENTS, IN COMPLIANCE WITH LEGISLATION AND ESTABLISHED POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.
• 6.0 PERFORM DRUG DISTRIBUTION.
• 7.0 ASSUME MANAGEMENT, ADMINISTRATIVE, AND QUALITY ASSURANCE RESPONSIBILITIES TO ENSURE THAT PATIENTS RECEIVE QUALITY PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS.
Recently (March 2014), NAPRA has developed an updated document providing information regarding Entry to Practice Competencies for Pharmacy Technicians. This document has been approved and adopted by the CPTEA as the new criteria for entry to practice.
Role of Pharmacy Technicians
Duties for Pharmacy Technicians working in a hospital may include: unit-dose or traditional dispensing, medication order entry, medication cart filling, ward stock replenishment, inventory management including narcotic control, sterile and non-sterile product preparation and compounding, manufacturing and pre-packaging, involvement in drug studies, liaising and collaborating with members of other departments (e.g. nursing) regarding medication and patient care, continuous quality improvement and workload measurement and checking prescriptions in compliance with the regulations for RPhTs.
Dispensing and Compounding
Pharmacists can delegate certain tasks including Controlled Acts to competent Pharmacy Technicians or Pharmacist Interns who accept responsibility for the task. Delegation of Controlled Acts must be documented. Those tasks delegated to Pharmacy Technicians are focused on the technical aspects of dispensing and compounding (e.g. performing an independent double/final check of prescriptions, and following, not creating, a formula for compounding).
CHECKPOINT Question ONE: Compare the NAPRA MSOP for Pharmacists and the MSOPPT for Pharmacy Technicians. How are they the same? How do they differ? Do you think the Standards for Technicians adequately reflect the technical aspects of pharmacy practice as NAPRA intended them to? Why or why not?