Pharmacy Technician’s Course. LaGuardia Community College

Instructor: Milan TopalovFall Session, 2012

Instructor CredentialsEducation:

St. John’s University, Jamaica, N.Y. : Bachelor Degree in Chemistry cum laude. Awarded 1997 . Curriculum included organic synthesis, functional group analysis, and other chemical theory study.

St. John’s University, Jamaica, N.Y.: Pharm.D in Pharmacy, cum laude. Awarded in 2006. Curriculum included required NYS pharmacy study: pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, therapeutics, pharmacy law.

Professional Licensure: NYS licensed Pharmacist (RPH): licensed October 2006

Employment History:  New York Presbyterian Hospital at Columbia / Cornell

622 W. 168th Street, New York, N.Y. 10032 Title: Pharmacist Duties as Pharmacist: medication review and order entry, drug information consultation for MD and RNsupervision of pharmacy personnelIV admixture preparation Omnicell and Pyxis experience

Held: January 2008- Present. Flushing Hospital Medical Center, Flushing NY

Title: Pharmacy Intern. Held between December 2002-October, 2006Title: Pharmacist. Held between October 2006-December 2007Duties as Pharmacist: medication review and order entry, drug information consultation for MD and RNsupervision of pharmacy personnelIV, TPN, and chemotherapy admixture preparation (limited experience)

 

History of PharmacyBabylon around 3,000 BC provides the first

example of the pharmacy practice. Pharmacists were priests, doctors, and

philosophersAncient Egypt had two classes of pharmacy

workers: echelons and fabrication chiefs. Papyrus Ebers is a collection of over 700 unique drugs.

Terra Sigilata or “sealed earth” was the first trademarked medicinal agent.

Hippocrates was a greek physician who lived during Plato's time. Physicians today profess the Hippocratic oath to “do no harm”.

Late in the eighth century, Arabs separated the professions of medicine and pharmacy.

America’s Pharmacy HistoryJohn Winthrop, governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony,

was consider America’s first pharmacist.Philadelphia Hospital was founded in 1751.University of Pennsylvania College of Pharmacy formed in

1821.American Pharmaceutical Association formed in 1852.United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) published in 1820

became America’s first official drug compendium.American Council on Pharmaceutical Education in 1932

established education standards for the pharmacy profession.

Definition of Pharmacy TechnicianA pharmacy technician is an individual who is

trained to perform certain tasks related to providing pharmacy services to patients in an institutional setting and customers in a community setting.

A pharmacy technician is an important part of the pharmacy team who directly assists the pharmacist in the provision of pharmaceutical related care.

The expanding role of the pharmacy technician has enabled the pharmacist to spend more time in providing clinical services to patients.

Duties performed by a pharmacy technicianThe duties performed by a pharmacy technician vary

according to the state that the technician is employed.The duties typically involved the physical act of

medication preparation.Technicians in most states can:

Provide purchaser services and place orders for medications to suppliers.

Physically fill and handle automated dispensing cabinets (i.e pyxis and omnicell)

Assist in Inventory management.Count, pour and label medications for patientsPre pack medications from manufacturer s to institutional

generated packaging.

Duties performed by a pharmacy technician (continued)In NY state a pharmacy technician is allowed

to accept written prescriptions presented to the pharmacy by patients and gather patient specific information.

A pharmacy technician is allowed to key personal prescription data into a computerized system; however a licensed pharmacist must initial and approve the entries.

A pharmacy technician is allowed to handle issues dealing with pharmacy third party payers.

Duties that a pharmacy technician can’t provide.In all states, a pharmacy technician can not provide

counseling to patients or provide drug information to other health care professionals (i.e MD’s and RN’s).

In some states, a pharmacy technician can not accept oral orders for prescriptions from health care providers authorized to prescribe drugs (MD, NP, PA)

A pharmacy technician is not permitted to compound medications like creams, ointments, and parenteral agents. (This is in NY ; however, others states differ)

All these duties are the responsibilities of the pharmacist or a pharmacy intern.

In general, any issue that involves professional judgment requires the pharmacist. Performing these duties can leave you open to legal liability.

Requirements to be a pharmacy technician18 years of age.High school diploma or GEDNo Felony convinctionThe above requirements will allow you to be able to

take the PTCE which is the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board’s (PTCB) exam

The above requirements will allow you to be able to take the ExCPT which is given by Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT).

The website for the PTCB is www.ptcb.orgThe website for the ICPT is

www.nationaltechexam.org

Certification versus Licensing: difference between a pharmacy technician and a pharmacistA license is granted to a pharmacist by the state in

which he/she is employed. A certification is granted by a nongovernmental

agency that indicates an individual has obtain a certain level of competency in the field in which the certification is granted.

States and employers recognize these agencies and often attach highest priority to these individuals possessing certificationMany states require these certifications to allow

individuals to be registered as pharmacy technicians. Some employers require these certifications for

consideration in employment.

The Pharmacist: background information A pharmacist is an individual licensed to dispense, compound, and provide

drug related advise on medications. A pharmacists can work in a community/retail setting, hospital or

institutional setting or in the pharmaceutical setting for drug companies like Pfizer or Sanofi Aventis. Opportunities in these areas exist for the pharmacy technician as well.

To be a pharmacist requires: Six years of study in a college of pharmacy to include organic chemistry,

physiology, pharmacology and therapeutics among other course work 9 months of internship (part of six year program) Graduation from the program with a PharmD. Degree Passage of the NAPLEX exam Passage of the Jurisprudence (Pharmacy Law)exam for the state in which

applicant of the license wishes to practice. Registration with the state in which the applicant wishes to practice. 45 CE credits every 3 years to be able to renew registration. License is

permanent unless its revoked for professional misconduct.

NY state board of Regents and the office of professionsEvery person that holds a professional license

in NY state has their professional record open to inspections by a citizen of the state.

This list includes pharmacists, doctors, lawyers, accountant, nurses etc.

The list, called on line verification, can be accessed at:http://www.nysed.gov/COMS/OP001/OPSCR2

Pharmacy Technicians in the hospital settingDuties includes: ordering of medications from suppliers,

filling orders, labeling medications, unit dosing, filling of ADC with legend drugs and controlled substances.

At New York Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center.Pharmacy technicians are paid between $39,000 to $42,000

per year not including overtime.Pharmacy technicians are 1199 union members.Pharmacy technicians receive 4 weeks paid vacation/year, 12

paid sick days/year, 8 paid holidays/year, and 4 personal days/year. In addition, full time technicians are eligible for a union pension, life insurance, full medical and dental coverage.

Pharmacy technician receive good pay for their efforts.PTCB certification is required at NYP

With great rewards come great responsibilitiesA pharmacy technician is a rewarding career and can open

the doors to other opportunities. (1199 provides CE credits free of charge and offers tuition assistance for individuals wishing to pursue future studies)

However, with these benefits comes responsibilities. You will be entrusted with people’s medications and you will be handling medications that are controlled substances in the United States (i.e Narcotics like Vicodin®, Percocet®, Xanax®, and stimulants like Concerta® and mixed amphetamines like Adderall ® etc)

In some states you will be allowed to compound medications into IVs.

Mistakes made can be costly and can leave you open to legal liabilities.

Legal Cases involving Pharmacy Technicians (and Pharmacists)“Rx for errors: Drug error killed their little

girl”Article reported in US Today in February, 2008

about 2 year old Emily Jerry in a Cleveland Ohio hospital.

http://emilyjerryfoundation.org/emilys-story/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iru56ZO9tK

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Emily Jerry’s Case 2 year old girl was diagnosed with a curable tumor in the abdominal region

of her body in 2005. The “cure” became the curse. A pharmacy technician had prepared Emily’s chemotherapy medication using

23.4% solution of sodium chloride instead of the normal 0.9% sodium chloride solution. The pharmacist who was supervising the technician had also missed the error. The baby received the chemotherapy agent and within a few hours was on life support. She died on March 1, 2006.

In August 2006, an Ohio grand jury indicted the pharmacist on charges of reckless homicide and involuntary manslaughter "in the death of Emily Jerry.“

Ohio state board of pharmacy revoked his license. Unlike the pharmacist, the pharmacy technician did not face disciplinary

charges; however she no longer works at the hospital and now holds a non pharmacy related job at CVS.

Congressman, Rep. Steven LaTourette, R-Ohio. introduced Emily’s Act into congress which would mandate certain educational requirements for all pharmacy technicians and provide for restrict legal penalties for misconduct.

Legal Cases“Inside a pharmacy where a fatal error occurred” USA Today

article published in 2008.Case concerned a 46 year old man with a prescription for

methadone in 2001. He had the prescription filled at a walgreens in Florida. He received his prescription and began taking his medication which is a pain killer for pain. Within a day he was found dead in the shower by his wife. An autopsy performed determined the cause of death as a methadone overdose.

A legal case was brought against the Jacksonville, Florida walgreens. The plaintiff team determined the cause as a pharmacy technician who keyed the directions for use incorrectly and the pharmacist who was too busy to catch the error. The case was settled out of court.

Other cases of Pharmacy errorshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPt6ANGn

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G52rBOQwNc8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxrkQOQLSU8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEbf9bliOus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gmy2ZR0anLc

Pharmacy Technician Certification BoardPTCB’s examination, called PTCE (Pharmacy

Technician Certification Exam)PTCB is the pharmacy technician certification

board, which began in 1995 under the organization of the American Pharmacist Association, American Society of Health System Pharmacist, the illinois Council of Health System Pharmacist, and the Michigan Pharmacist Association.

Provides a nationally recognized standard for pharmacy technicians

Pharmacy Technician Certification ExamThe PTCB’s exam that test and certifies a candidate’s

competency as a pharmacy technicianTo qualify to take the exam you must be:

18 years of age or olderPossess a high school diploma or GED ( a foreign diploma

equivalent may apply)at a minimumNo felony convictions No previous criminal charges dealing with drugs

(misdemeanors also) or misconduct as defined by the NABPOnce you pass the exam you may use the acronym CPhT

after your nameCertification is valid for 2 years at which time renewal is

required

Competency areas test by the exam:Assisting the Pharmacist in serving patients

(66%)Maintain medication and inventory control

system (22%)Participation in the administration and

management of pharmacy practice (12%)As of November 2013, the competency areas

have been slightly modified; however on balance most of the previous material remains the same

Visit this page for more details

To renew a certification you must pay a fee and take 20 hours of CE Credit

The Structure of the Exam90 questions10 questions are polling questions that do not count towards your

score and are meant to gauge questions difficulty in reference to future exams

Time to complete: 1 hr. 50 min (with some extra time to complete a tutorial and exit survey)

The ResultsPass/fail score is reported to you immediately on the test terminalNumerical score and certificate is mailed to your homeCandidates who fail the exam are given a total of 3 tries to pass

the exam within the given application

Application processApply online: PTCB application here The PTCB will ask you to set up an accountOnce your application is approved you must

pay the application fee of $129You will receive an authorization to test

notification to schedule an exam date and time. You must schedule a date and time within 90 days

What is bring with you to the test?YouGovernment issued photo ID (driver’s license)Candidates who don’t bring ID forfeit all fees

and will not be permitted to testA erasable scratch board will be provided Handheld and on computer calculators are

providedAll personal property (include cell phone) will

be secured at lockers at the test siteExam offered year round

How is the exam graded?Uses the modified Angoff methodPanel Experts estimate the difficulty in each question

and estimate the percentage of pharmacy technician that can answer the question correctly. More difficult questions are weighted more heavily to the overall score.

Each exam is the compared to other exams so that several exams of slightly fluctuating difficulties can be scaled relative to each other. This is called Statistical Equating (SE)

SE produces a scale from 300 to 900 for the exam with 650 be the passing grade

For more information please view the PCTB website for their guidebook

ConclusionsYou as a pharmacy technician have a

wonderful career opportunity. You also have a great deal of responsibility.

It is your right to receive adequate supervision by your pharmacist. Be proactive and protect yourself.

Education is an important part of everyone’s career path. Make it a part of yours.

Good Luck