Pharmacy Technicians' Scope of Practice: Roles, Responsibilities, and Competencies, Lecture notes of Pharmacy

Download Pharmacy Technicians' Scope of Practice: Roles, Responsibilities, and Competencies and more Lecture notes Pharmacy in PDF only on Docsity!

Licensed Pharmacy Technicians Scope of Practice Page 1 of 9

Scope of Practice – Pharmacy Professionals

Adapted from: “Request for Regulation of Pharmacy Technicians” Approved by Council April 24, 2015

DEFINITIONS

In this policy:

“Act” means The Pharmacy and Pharmacy Disciplines Act

“Assistant” means an unregulated person who is not an intern, and who is employed in a

pharmacy to assist the licensed pharmacist or licensed pharmacy technician in performing

functions.

“Pharmacist” means licensed pharmacist

“Pharmacy technician” means licensed pharmacy technician

“Scope of Practice” means the practices of the licensed pharmacist, licensed pharmacy

technician that are limited by the Act, and within those limitations the areas in which the licensed

pharmacist or licensed pharmacy technician is educated, competent and has recent experience.

“Supervision” means direct supervision where the licensed pharmacist or licensed pharmacy

technician oversees the work of an assistant and takes responsibility for the tasks he delegates

to the assistant.

AUTHORITY

The Pharmacy and Pharmacy Disciplines Act

Section 23(2)

A licensed pharmacist, licensed pharmacy technician or intern practising under the

supervision of a licensed pharmacist or a licensed pharmacy technician may, subject to

the terms, conditions and restrictions of that person’s licence, perform all or any of the

following practices:

(a) advise patients and other health care providers by providing drug and non-drug

therapy knowledge respecting drug and non-drug therapy selection and use;

(b) monitor responses to and outcomes of drug therapy;

(c) compound, prepare, dispense and sell drugs;

(d) provide non-prescription drugs, parenteral nutrition and health care aids and devices;

(e) supervise and manage drug distribution systems to maintain public safety and drug

system security.

Licensed Pharmacy Technicians Scope of Practice Page 2 of 9

Section 14(2)

Subject to this Act, regulatory bylaws may be made pursuant to section 13 for the

following purposes: ……………………

(i) setting standards regarding the manner and method of practice of

members;…………………………

(u) governing the delegation of functions by a member and prescribing the standards,

terms and conditions of that delegation;………………

(hh) prescribing any other matters considered necessary for the better carrying out of

this Act.

The Regulatory Bylaws of the Saskatchewan College of Pharmacy Professionals

Section F.1 of Part F

1. Practicing Member

Any member who wishes to practice must be registered as a practicing member. Where

the person is applying for membership as a licensed pharmacy technician, he shall be

granted a licence to practice. This license allows him to perform the practices authorized

pursuant to section 23(2) of the Act and which practices may be further described by

Council from time to time in policies, standards and guidelines. The said license also

entitles the person to use the title "licensed pharmacy technician.”

SCOPE

Under authority of the Act and regulatory bylaws of SCPP, this policy describes the scope of

practice of the pharmacy technician within the context of the roles and responsibilities of

pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Appendix A further outlines their functions and tasks

within that scope, and those functions and tasks that can be delegated to an assistant under

supervision.

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Pharmacists

The pharmacist’s primary role is to ensure that the prescribed medication is right for the patient.

In order to do this they assess the patient, review patient history and medication history, ensure

the drug therapy is appropriate (indication, dose, schedule, etc.), provide medication education,

and monitor the ongoing therapy. The pharmacist continues to be authorized to conduct all

pharmacy technician roles. The pharmacist also continues to be accountable for the overall

supervision of pharmacies and the systems that are in place to ensure the safe storage,

compounding, packaging and distribution of drugs. Furthermore, the pharmacist continues to be

solely responsible and accountable for assessing the appropriateness of drug therapy ( both

new and continuing ) and providing patient education and consultation. A prescription cannot

be released to the patient or agent on behalf of the patient without a pharmacist having

performed these functions.

Licensed Pharmacy Technicians Scope of Practice Page 3 of 9

2. Pharmacy Technicians

The pharmacy technician’s primary role is to ensure that prescriptions are filled correctly; e.g.

the right medication gets to the patient, related administration and manage inventory. Pharmacy

technicians prepare and distribute prescriptions, compound, prepare sterile and non-sterile

preparations, check to ensure the correct drug is dispensed, receive verbal prescriptions, copy

prescriptions for authorized recipients, transfer prescriptions to, and receive prescriptions from

other pharmacies, ensure the integrity and stability of drug product (e.g. expiry date), and are

authorized to check and accept responsibility for the work of individuals such as assistants

employed in the pharmacy practice setting (e.g. community or hospital pharmacy).

Pharmacy technicians practice in an environment where procedures are in place to ensure the

safety and integrity of the dispensing or compounding process (e.g. under the direction of a

pharmacist) and a pharmacist is available to ensure the appropriateness of drug therapy and to

educate and consult with patients. Pharmacy technicians exercise their professional judgment

at all times and are able to recognize when the clinical expertise of the pharmacist is required.

3. Pharmacy Assistants

The pharmacy assistant’s primary role is to provide support to both the pharmacist and

pharmacy technician in carrying out the technical functions of the dispensing process. Their

duties are somewhat similar to that of the pharmacy technician with the exception that an

assistant works under the direct supervision of a pharmacist or pharmacy technician and they

will not be authorized to check the work of any other individuals within the pharmacy practice

setting, nor accept accountability for their actions.

Licensed Pharmacy Technicians Scope of Practice Page 4 of 9

APPENDIX A - SCOPE OF PRACTICE

Key: Yellow = YES Blue = No Green = YES with Pharmacist Supervision Includes Two Charts:

1. Technical Roles
2. Clinical Roles Pharmacy Services and Competencies Pharmacist^ Pharmacy Technician (oversight by a pharmacist) Assistant (under the direct supervision of a pharmacist or pharmacy technician) 1. TECHNICAL ROLES obtain patient consent, where required Yes^ Yes^ Yes protect patient confidentiality Yes Yes Yes respect diversity Yes Yes Yes accept responsibility and accountability for actions Yes^ Yes^ No accept written prescriptions or refill requests from the patient or the patient’s representative Yes Yes Yes receiving repeat prescriptions from health-care providers Yes Yes No receive verbal prescriptions from prescribers Yes Yes No receive verbal prescriptions from prescribers for narcotics, controlled drugs, benzodiazepines or targeted substances Yes No No input patient, third-party insurance, and prescription information into the computer Yes Yes Yes prioritize prescription processing Yes Yes Yes with the assistance of information software, identify potential interactions, therapeutic duplications and incompatibilities within patient profiles Yes Yes No confirm that the pharmacist has had the opportunity to review the prescription and patient profile or health record N/A Yes Yes refer therapeutic issues and questions to the pharmacist N/A^ Yes^ Yes

Licensed Pharmacy Technicians Scope of Practice Page 5 of 9 Pharmacy Services and Competencies Pharmacist Pharmacy Technician (oversight by a pharmacist) Assistant (under the direct supervision of a pharmacist or pharmacy technician) select the product(s) needed Yes Yes Yes ensure integrity and stability of product(s) including expiry dates, colour, odour, etc. Yes Yes Yes take the medication from the shelf to the work area Yes Yes Yes calculate, convert, and document the result of dosage calculations Yes Yes Yes perform compounding calculations Yes Yes Yes verify calculations with the pharmacist N/A Yes Yes count, measure, weigh and / or pour medications Yes Yes Yes reconstitute medications Yes Yes Yes adhere to clean, or where required, aseptic techniques Yes Yes Yes verify accuracy and appropriateness of ingredients and quantities, including weights and volumes Yes Yes Yes verify the accuracy and completeness of a pharmaceutical product prepared for release Yes Yes No select type of prescription container Yes Yes Yes label container, including relevant auxiliary labels Yes Yes Yes pre-package pharmaceuticals including replenishment of stock bottles Yes Yes Yes prepare non-sterile compounds Yes Yes Yes prepare sterile compounds (including IVs, TPNs) Yes Yes No handle and prepare hazardous products appropriately Yes Yes No prepare bulk manufactured products Yes Yes Yes fill unit dose carts from a fill list Yes Yes Yes check filled unit dose carts Yes Yes No check and restock emergency Yes^ Yes^ Yes

Licensed Pharmacy Technicians Scope of Practice Page 6 of 9 Pharmacy Services and Competencies Pharmacist Pharmacy Technician (oversight by a pharmacist) Assistant (under the direct supervision of a pharmacist or pharmacy technician) boxes, cardiac arrest kits, nursing unit cupboards and carts and night cupboard supplies from an approved list confirm that the pharmaceutical product has been checked and signed off by a pharmacist N/A Yes Yes provide appropriate patient information materials as specified by the pharmacist N/A Yes Yes confirm that the patient or patient’s representative has received or has been offered counselling by the pharmacist N/A Yes Yes assist the patient to make informed decisions regarding the selection and use of drug administration devices, monitoring devices and health aids Yes Yes No comply with federal and provincial legislation, policies and standards applicable to pharmacy practice Yes Yes Yes follow procedures for the proper storage, handling, preparation, distribution, removal, and disposal of drugs Yes Yes Yes ensure the cleanliness, functionality, and integrity of compounding, packaging, dispensing and storage equipment Yes Yes Yes perform routine equipment maintenance Yes Yes Yes store and transport pharmaceutical products appropriately Yes Yes Yes manage inventory Yes Yes Yes question, report and assist in the resolution of potential and actual unsafe, illegal, unethical, or unprofessional actions or situations Yes Yes Yes use appropriate pharmacy reference material Yes Yes Yes direct patients to the location of non-prescription medications Yes Yes Yes

Licensed Pharmacy Technicians Scope of Practice Page 7 of 9 Pharmacy Services and Competencies Pharmacist Pharmacy Technician (oversight by a pharmacist) Assistant (under the direct supervision of a pharmacist or pharmacy technician) act as a role model and mentor to new staff and students Yes Yes Yes collect and verify accuracy of patient demographics and known allergies Yes Yes Yes transferring and receiving prescriptions from other pharmacists or pharmacy technicians Yes Yes No checking pharmaceutical products prepared by an pharmacy technician or unregulated pharmacy personnel Yes Yes No perform quality assurance audits/checks on distribution functions and activities Yes Yes No initiate billing, verify, and assist in the adjudication for payment Yes Yes Yes provide copies of prescriptions on patients’ request Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No assist patients and health care team members in understanding the scope, limitations and exceptions to third-party insurance coverage including coordination of benefits Yes Yes No compliance packaging Yes Yes Yes fax prescription renewals to physician Yes Yes Yes take medication history Yes Yes No medication reconciliation Yes No No document drug distribution processes and outcomes i.e. medication errors, missing meds, etc. Yes Yes No prepare reports and documents Yes Yes No use non-integrated health information systems (e.g. PIP) Yes Yes No use integrated health information systems (e.g. PIP) Yes Yes Yes manage workflow Yes Yes Yes

Licensed Pharmacy Technicians Scope of Practice Page 8 of 9 Pharmacy Services and Competencies Pharmacist Pharmacy Technician (oversight by a pharmacist) Assistant (under the direct supervision of a pharmacist or pharmacy technician)

2. CLINICAL ROLES be accountable to patients Yes Yes Yes Inter-professional collaboration Yes Yes No call-back programs Yes No No certifying written drug orders Yes Yes No Chronic Disease Management Yes No No Collaborative Primary Health Care Teams Yes With pharmacist supervision technicians could be used for innovative services like triage, or booking appointments, etc. No Continuity of Care Yes With pharmacist supervision No distribution, dispensing, and administration of drug products with appropriate patient advice Yes No No documentation and communication of information and decisions Ys Yes No ensure appropriate prescribing for explicit objectives Yes No No ensure safe, accessible and cost- effective medicines are available Yes Yes No contribute to the implementation and maintenance of safe and effective systems of drug supply and distribution Yes Yes No health promotion and disease prevention requiring clinical knowledge Yes With pharmacist supervision in a collaborative environment No identify and resolve drug-related problems Yes^ No^ No recognize and respond to unusual patterns of drug distribution (including diversion, misuse, and fluctuations in utilization) Yes Yes No

Licensed Pharmacy Technicians Scope of Practice Page 9 of 9 Pharmacy Services and Competencies Pharmacist Pharmacy Technician (oversight by a pharmacist) Assistant (under the direct supervision of a pharmacist or pharmacy technician) administration of drugs by injection and other routes Yes^ No^ No non-prescription drug selection and education Yes No No med assessment for compliance packaging Yes No No medication adherence programs requiring clinical knowledge Yes With pharmacist supervision- collect data and alert pharmacist to discrepancies or high-risk situations No medication reviews Yes No No minor ailment management Yes No No participation of patients in their own care Yes^ No^ No understand, participate in, and promote patient safety initiatives Yes^ Yes^ No pharmaceutical care/ medication management Yes^ No^ No Prescriptive Authority Yes No No Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (detection and resolution of drug- related problems) Yes No No timely recognition of drug indication and other signs and symptoms relevant to drug use, along with accurate identification of underlying disease Yes No No Questions? [email protected]