PTCB Study Guide: Intro to Pharmacy

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Pharmacy Practice Settings

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The profession of pharmacy is practiced in many environments, which are commonly divided into ambulatory care and institutional settings. 
 
<ul>
</ul>
<ol>
<li>Ambulatory Care, or outpatient, settings serve patients living in their own homes or similar situations and include community clinics, home care and mail order.</li>
<li>
Institutional or inpatient settings are those in which patients reside in a facility where they receive long or short-term care from health professionals.  </li>
</ol>
<ul>
</ul>
 
Community Pharmacy 
The community pharmacy is the corner drug store or the local retail or grocery store pharmacy. 
 
Mail-Order Pharmacy 
Pharmacist and technicians also work in mail-order facilities, through which patients have their prescriptions filled and refilled through the mail. Mail-order pharmacies are really more like warehouses with pharmacists and technicians. 
 
Hospital Pharmacy 
Pharmacists are directly involved with patient care and have daily interactions with physicians, nurses, other care givers. 
 
Pharmacists develop plans of pharmaceutical care, medication management and with other caregivers, monitor the patients drug therapy. 
 
In addition to direct patient care, pharmacist evaluate trends in medication and physician prescribing, develop guidelines for medication use, educate patients and healthcare professionals, and implement and maintain drug distribution. 
 
In the hospital setting Pharmacy technicians can: 
<ul>
</ul>
<ol>
<li>Enter physician med orders into the computer</li>
<li>Prepare IV drug admixtures</li>
<li>Repackage and label unit dose medications</li>
<li>Restock automated dispensing units</li>
<li>Deliver medications</li>
<li>General paper work  </li>
</ol>
<ul>
</ul>
 
Home Health Care 
Home health care is defined as “physician ordered services provided to patients at their residences, be it in their own homes or any other setting in which the patient lives. Such services include: 
<ul>
</ul>
<ol>
<li>Personal care</li>
<li>Hospice & Respite Care</li>
<li>Shopping assistance</li>
<li>Drug and infusion therapy</li>
<li>Speech, physical and occupational therapy</li>
<li>Technician duties in a home care setting may include</li>
<li>Preparing sterile injectable products </li>
<li>Maintaining computerized patient profiles</li>
<li>Delivering medications and supplies to a patient’s home.</li>
</ol>
<ul>
</ul>
 
Long-Term Care 
Long-term care facilities are those institutions where patients stay for extended periods. They include: 
<ul>
</ul>
<ol>
<li>Nursing Homes</li>
<li>Psychiatric or behavioral health institutions </li>
<li>Intermediate care facilities for mentally disabled patients</li>
<li>Skilled nursing facilities </li>
</ol>
<ul>
</ul>
Most of these facilities do not have pharmacies on site but contract with local community pharmacies for needed services; pharmacists and technicians thus do not have direct patient interaction. 
 
Specialty Pharmacy Services 
Just as pharmacists may choose to specialize in an area of pharmacy (e.g, ambulatory care, cardiology, infectious diseases, nutrition, oncology, organ transplant, or pediatrics), so may technicians. Technicians may specialize in areas  such as: 
<ul>
</ul>
<ol>
<li>Inventory purchasing and management</li>
<li>

Sterile product preparations</li>
<li>Surgical Pharmacy</li>
<li>Nuclear Pharmacy</li>
<li>Veterinary Pharmacy</li>
<li>Non-sterile (extemporaneous) compounding  </li>
</ol>
<ul>
</ul>

Pharmacy Practice Settings

The profession of pharmacy is practiced in many environments, which are commonly divided into ambulatory care and institutional settings....

11:25 AM

Key Notes: Intro to Pharmacy

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<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>Pharmacists are ultimately responsible for the technicians' activities and performance and are legally held liable for the technicians work. </li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>Training prerequisites for pharmacy technicians vary from state to state and from employer to employer.</li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>Most consumers believe that all pharmacy technicians have been trained and certified before they are allowed to prepare prescriptions.</li>
</ul>

Key Notes: Intro to Pharmacy

Pharmacists are ultimately responsible for the technicians' activities and performance and are legally held liable for the technician...

4:15 PM

Ten Characteristics of a Professional

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To the <a href="http://ptcbstudy.blogspot.com/2015/04/code-of-ethics-for-pharmacy-technicians.html" target="_blank">ethical principles</a>, ASHP adds ten characteristics of a professional. These characteristics are applicable to pharmacy technicians. 
 
1. Knowledge and skills of the profession 
2. Commitment to self-improvement of skills and knowledge 
3. Service orientation 
4. Pride and service to the profession 
5. Covenantal relationship with patient 
6. Creativity and innovation 
7. Conscience and trustworthiness 
8. Accountability for his/her work 
9. Ethically sound decision making 
10. Leadership 
 
© American Pharmacists Association (APhA)

Ten Characteristics of a Professional

To the ethical principles , ASHP adds ten characteristics of a professional. These characteristics are applicable to pharmacy technicians...

7:12 PM

Code of Ethics for Pharmacy Technicians

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<div>
This code outlines ten guiding principles that pharmacy technicians are encouraged to follow. Violations of these values and qualities not only is unprofessional but may be against federal or state law. </div>
<div>
 </div>
<div>
Preamble</div>
<div align="left">
Pharmacy
 Technicians are healthcare professionals who assist pharmacists in 
providing the best possible care for patients. The principles of this 
code, which apply to pharmacy technicians working in any and all 
settings, are based on the application and support of the moral 
obligations that guide the pharmacy profession in relationships with 
patients, healthcare professionals and society.</div>
<div align="left">
 </div>
<div align="left">
Principles</div>
<ol>
<li>1. A
 pharmacy technician's first consideration is to ensure the health and 
safety of the patient, and to use knowledge and skills to the best of 
his/her ability in serving patients.</li>
<li>2. A
 pharmacy technician supports and promotes honesty and integrity in the 
profession, which includes a duty to observe the law, maintain the 
highest moral and ethical conduct at all times and uphold the ethical 
principles of the profession.</li>
<li>3. A
 pharmacy technician assists and supports the pharmacists in the safe 
and efficacious and cost effective distribution of health services and 
healthcare resources.</li>
<li>4. A pharmacy technician respects and values the abilities of pharmacists, colleagues and other healthcare professionals.</li>
<li>5. A
 pharmacy technician maintains competency in his/her practice and 
continually enhances his/her professional knowledge and expertise.</li>
<li>6. A pharmacy technician respects and supports the patient's individuality, dignity, and confidentiality.</li>
<li>7. A
 pharmacy technician respects the confidentiality of a patient's records
 and discloses pertinent information only with proper authorization.</li>
<li>8. A
 pharmacy technician never assists in dispensing, promoting or 
distribution of medication or medical devices that are not of good 
quality or do not meet the standards required by law.</li>
<li>9. A
 pharmacy technician does not engage in any activity that will discredit
 the profession, and will expose, without fear or favor, illegal or 
unethical conduct of the profession.</li>
<li>10. A
 pharmacy technician associates with and engages in the support of 
organizations, which promote the profession of pharmacy through the 
utilization and enhancement of pharmacy technicians.</li>
</ol>
Source: <a href="http://www.thepharmacyprofessionals.com/CODE-OF-ETHICS.html" target="_blank">The Pharmacy Professionals</a>

Code of Ethics for Pharmacy Technicians

This code outlines ten guiding principles that pharmacy technicians are encouraged to follow. Violations of these values and qualities no...

6:17 PM

Code of Conduct

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As pharmacy technicians, and under the supervision of a licensed 
pharmacist, PTCB certificants and candidates have the obligation to: 
maintain high standards of integrity and conduct; accept responsibility 
for their actions; continually seek to improve their performance in the 
workplace; practice with fairness and honesty; and, encourage others to 
act in an ethical manner consistent with the standards and 
responsibilities set forth below. Pharmacy technicians assist 
pharmacists in dispensing medications and remain accountable to 
supervising pharmacists with regard to all pharmacy activities, and will
 act consistent with all applicable laws and regulations. 
 
A. Responsibilities Relating to Legal Requirements. 
B. Responsibilities to PTCB/Compliance with Organizational Policies and Rules.  
C. Responsibilities to the Public and Employers. 
 
<a href="https://www.ptcb.org/resources/code-of-conduct#.VS7dJRf69yI" target="_blank">View and download the PDF Code of Conduct document.</a>

Code of Conduct

As pharmacy technicians, and under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist, PTCB certificants and candidates have the obligation to: ma...

6:06 PM

Tips: Intro to Pharmacy

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<ul>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Whether or not your state requires technician certification, becoming certified and maintaining the certification is advantageous. The knowledge and skills that are tested by either PTCE or the ExCPT are pertinent to any technician working in ant pharmacy practice setting. Becoming certified demonstrates a commitment to your profession and to your career.</li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>Become an active member of your local pharmacy technician organization; regularly read pharmacy  technician related publications; such as newsletters and journals; and find opportunities for continuing education.</li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>To perform duties in a competent manner, technicians develop the ability to to determine the best course of action in a specific situation. Applying critical thinking allows pharmacy technicians to prioritize, problem-solving, and troubleshoot issues that arise that may not require the judgement of a pharmacists but that still call for careful attention. </li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li>Demonstrating an eagerness to learn and take on more responsibilities can help advance your career.  </li>
</ul>

Tips: Intro to Pharmacy

Whether or not your state requires technician certification, becoming certified and maintaining the certification is advantageous. The kn...

6:00 PM

Pharmacy Technician Certification

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Some states require registration of pharmacy technicians, whereas other states require certification; still others are considering the matter. There is no national requirement for certification at this time. 
 
Most consumers believe that all pharmacy technicians have been trained and certified before they are allowed to prepare prescriptions. 
 
Technicians who wish to become certified ma take the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) offered by the PTCB. To take the exam, candidates must have earned a high school diploma (GED or foreign diploma) and submit the appropriate form, fee, and supporting documents. Candidates are not eligible if they have been convicted of a drug - or pharmacy- related  felony, or have had any felony convictions at any time during the last five years before applying for the PTCE. 
 
The PTCE is a two hour, closed book, computer based exam consisting of eighty multiple choice questions plus ten non-scored questions. Each question has four possible answers from which to choose , with only one being the best, or correct answer. The score is based on the most correctly answered questions. 
 
The questions are written to assess the knowledge and skills that are deemed necessary to perform the work of pharmacy technicians. The exam divides these activities into three functions areas: 
<ol>
<li>i. Assisting the pharmacist in serving patients, including activities related to dispensing prescriptions, distributing medications, and collecting and organizing information.</li>
<li>ii. Maintaining medication and inventory control systems pertaining to activities related to purchasing medications and supplies, controlling inventory, and storing, preparing, and distributing medications according to policies and procedures.</li>
<li>iii. Participating in the administration and management of pharmacy practice, including administrative activities that deal with such issues as operations, human resources, facilities and equipment, and information systems.</li>
</ol>
Of the scored questions on the examination, 66% of the exam tests on topics in function area i, 22% on topics in function area ii, and the remaining 12% on topics in function area iii. Candidates who pass the exam may use the designation CPht (certified pharmacy technician) after their names. 
 
To maintain the certification, technicians must re-certify every two years by completing at least twenty hours of continuing  education. A maximum of ten hours may be earned at the technician’s workplace under the direct supervision of a pharmacist. These hours must be special assignments or training; regular work hours do not apply. At least one hour of continuing education must be related to pharmacy law. <a href="http://ptcb.org/" target="_blank">Refer to the PTCB Website to verify current eligibility requirements and test specifics.</a>

Pharmacy Technician Certification

Some states require registration of pharmacy technicians, whereas other states require certification; still others are considering the mat...

5:47 PM

Key Terms: Intro to Pharmacy

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<div style="text-align: justify;">
 
 
Accreditation is the process in which certification of competency, authority, or credibility is presented. The standards for accreditation are set by a peer review board whose members include faculty from various accredited colleges and universities. 
 
Certification: A voluntary process by which a non-governmental agency or association grants recognition to an individual who has met certain predetermined qualifications specified by the agency or association. 
 
Health-System Pharmacy: The practice of pharmacy that is part of a health-system. A health-system is two or more health care practice settings (e.g., hospital, home care, ambulatory clinic) that have a working relationship with each other and are managed or owned by the same business entity. 
 
Home Health Care: Physician-ordered health care services provided to a patient in the home or other settings in which the patient lives. 
 
Licensure: The process by which an agency of the government grants permission to an individual to engage in a given occupations upon finding that the applicant has attained a degree of competency necessary to ensure that public health, safety, and welfare will be protected. 
 
Medication Therapy Management (MTM): A service or group of services that optimizes therapeutic outcomes for a patient. Such services include: assessment of a patients health status; formulation of a medication treatment plan; selection; initiation, modification, or administration of medication therapy. 
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Pharmaceutical Care involves cooperation between the pharmacist, the patient, and other health care professionals in designing, implementing, and monitoring a therapeutic medication plan. 
 
Pharmacist: a person licensed to prepare and dispense drugs and medicines; druggist; apothecary; pharmaceutical chemist. 
 
Pharmacy: </div>
<ol style="text-align: justify;">
<li> Also called pharmaceutics. the art and science of preparing and dispensing drugs and medicines. </li>
<li>a drugstore. </li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
 
A Pharmacy Technician assists pharmacist by performing routine, day-to-day functions of the practice of pharmacy that do not require the judgement of a pharmacist. 
 
Registration: A pharmacy technician may be required to be registered with a state board of pharmacy before being legally able to carry out some pharmacy functions.</div>

Key Terms: Intro to Pharmacy

Accreditation is the process in which certification of competency, authority, or credibility is presented. The standards for accredita...

1:21 PM