Regulation of Pharmacy Technicians
FALL 2009 PROGRESS REPORT
The development and implementation of the processes and programs needed to regulate pharmacy technicians in Ontario has progressed well over the last year, and it won’t be long now before the College is able to register the first group of pharmacy technicians in Ontario. There has been continued commitment and a strong response from pharmacy technicians and their pharmacist colleagues as each new component is introduced. The College regrets that we have not been able to accommodate the overwhelming interest in the early stages of implementation, but we remain confident that access to the required programs will be widely available by the end of this year. Final development and pilot testing of each of the entry-to-practice activities will occur this fall and full implementation will start in 2010.
As each new program or activity has been introduced there has been increased interest in the initiative and more people trying to decide how it all applies to them. The decision to become registered is one that all pharmacy technicians are free to make, and will need to make in the near future. While many have already chosen to pursue registration, there are others still trying to decide. For these individuals there are two key questions to address; what is involved in becoming registered and what benefit will I gain?
The answer to how to become registered is one the College can address. The chart below has been developed to outline the basic steps to follow. The information that follows the chart provides current details about each of these requirements.
The question about why to become registered is much more complex because the answer is unique to each individual’s situation. Although there are a variety of contributing factors to consider, one of the most important will be the impact of regulation within your workplace. Many employers have started to determine their future human resource needs and are discussing their expectations with staff, a dialogue the College encourages at this time. An understanding of your employer’s perspective, along with the information presented below about the requirements to become registered will go a long way in helping you make an informed decision.
The first step in understanding the requirements is to determine which category or stream you need to follow (In the profession or Entering the profession) because the first two requirements are different.
You are considered to be in the profession if:
- You graduated from any pharmacy technician education program prior to 2008
- You have been trained on the job and are performing the role of a pharmacy technician
- You graduated in 2008 or later from an education program that did not have provisional accreditation status from the Canadian Council for Accreditation of Pharmacy Programs (CCAPP) when you graduated (Go to www.ocpinfo.com> pharmacy technicians>CCAPP accreditation to see the list of programs.)
- You have a pharmacy degree from another country and have been working as a pharmacy technician in Ontario (Canada)
- You are considered to be entering the profession if:
- You graduated in 2008 or later from a pharmacy technician education program that held a provisional accreditation from CCAPP when you graduated. (Go to www.ocpinfo.com>pharmacy technicians>CCAPP accreditation to see the list of programs).
For those currently in the profession:
You must have successfully completed the OCP certification exam (discontinued after October 2008) or complete the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) Evaluating Exam (available twice annually, starting in October 2009). Please note that PEBC has set a 2000 hour practice requirement to establish eligibility to sit the evaluating exam. Further details about the exam can be found on the PEBC website at www.pebc.ca. All applicants should note that the College has proposed in the Registration Regulation that this step must be completed by January 1, 2012 to be eligible for registration in Ontario.
For those entering the profession:
You must graduate from a pharmacy technician program that held provisional or full accreditation status from CCAPP when you graduated. To confirm if you meet this criteria check the list of CCAPP accredited schools.
The College recommends that anyone who is planning to enter the profession now or in the future enroll in a program that has achieved provisional accreditation status if they wish to ensure eligibility for registration with the College. If you are enrolled in a program with qualifying status, be aware that there is no guarantee the program will achieve provisional accreditation status prior to your graduation. In the event your program does not achieve the necessary accreditation status you will be required to meet the same requirements as those currently In the profession. You should note that this includes completion of the PEBC evaluation exam (which has a 2000 hour practice requirement for all applicants) by January 1, 2012.
Step 2
For those currently in the profession:
You must complete the Bridging Education Program for Pharmacy Technicians. This 150 hour continuing education program is comprised of 4 courses (Professional Practice, Pharmacology, Management of Drug Distribution and Product Preparation) and a structured practical evaluation in the workplace to demonstrate competent performance of the independent double check (commonly known as tech-check-tech).
Although the Bridging Education Program is mandatory for everyone in this stream, three of the four courses may be completed through a prior learning assessment. The Professional Practice course must be completed by everyone. Prior learning assessment involves completion of a challenge exam, which allows the individual to demonstrate they already have the knowledge and skill needed to meet the learning outcomes for the course. Registration for a prior learning assessment may be completed at any of the Colleges offering the Bridging Education Program. Individuals who request a prior learning assessment and are not successful will be required to complete the full course.
The structured practical evaluation of the independent double check will be completed in the workplace, following completion of the Drug Distribution and Management course. The College is responsible for administration of this evaluation, which will be piloted this fall. This evaluation will be similar to the existing “tech check tech” certification completed in most hospitals, but will allow pharmacy technicians in all practice environments to demonstrate competency in this task. More details will follow after the pilot.
For those entering the profession:
After completion of a CCAPP accredited program, graduates will be required to complete a period of Structured Practical Training (SPT). This program will provide an opportunity for the individual to demonstrate performance of the entry-to-practice competencies in the practice environment. The training program must be completed in an approved practice site and under the supervision of an approved preceptor.
Similar to internship for pharmacists, a number of structured activities, reflective of the entry-to-practice competencies, must be completed and assessed by the individual and their preceptor. Evaluation of the “independent double check” as described above will be one of the structured activities included in the SPT program. An initial pilot of this program will be completed this fall, including implementation of an on-line format for documentation of the activities and assessments. Training for preceptors of pharmacy technicians will also be provided by the College. Although preceptors will be pharmacists at the outset of the program, once pharmacy technicians become registered they will also be able to serve as preceptors.
Step 3
For everyone entering the profession
All individuals pursuing registration with the College must successfully complete the PEBC Qualifying Examination. This national exam has two components; a written multiple-choice question exam (MCQ) and a practical exam called an objective structured performance exam (OSPE). The exam blueprint is based on the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) Professional Competencies for Canadian Pharmacy Technicians at Entry to Practice.
The Qualifying Exam is presently being piloted in Ontario and will become available at multiple sites across the province and in other provinces next summer. PEBC anticipates completing a second pilot of the exam in the spring, 2010 however details are not yet available.
Individuals who have successfully completed step one, as described above, will be eligible to sit the Qualifying Exam. Individuals who are also completing the Bridging Education Program are advised to do so prior to completing the Qualifying Exam. Bridging courses will provide a good opportunity to establish readiness for the exam. In the event individuals complete the PEBC Qualifying Exam before finishing the Bridging Program, the courses will still need to be completed as they address learning and assessment components that are different from the exam. More details about the exam are available on the PEBC website at www.pebc.ca.
Step 4
For everyone entering the profession
All individuals pursuing registration with the College must complete the OCP Pharmacy Technician Jurisprudence Examination in order to demonstrate they possess the knowledge necessary to practice according to the laws of the profession. Similar to the jurisprudence exam for pharmacists, it is a multiple-choice exam administered by the College in multiple sites. A pilot of this exam will take place in the fall and regular administration will be available by spring 2010.
Step 5
For everyone entering the profession
After meeting each of the previous steps, individuals will be ready to complete their application for a certificate of registration with the College. At this stage, the College will also verify that the individual meets all other requirements for registration, such as demonstration of language proficiency and good character, as required to practice the profession safely, ethically and professionally.
The College worked in partnership with NAPRA this summer to host a national workshop with pharmacy technicians and pharmacists to consider national language proficiency requirements for pharmacy technicians. Results from the workshop will be presented to the NAPRA board this fall with a recommendation for national pharmacy technician standards for objective language proficiency tests.
Applicants will be required to complete a declaration of good character which includes disclosure of any past criminal offences or findings related to the practice of pharmacy or any other regulated profession. Any concerns related to the individuals competence, conduct or capacity to practice the profession will be considered by a panel of the Registration Committee.