Supervision of Pharmacists (Emergency Assignment) and Pharmacy Technicians (Emergency Assignment) Guideline

Purpose

This document outlines the College’s expectations for pharmacists responsible for supervising pharmacists (emergency assignment or “EA”) and pharmacy technicians (emergency assignment or “EA”). Some degree of supervision by a pharmacist is necessary as these EA pharmacy professionals may not have successfully completed the Jurisprudence, Ethics and Professionalism exam, the relevant Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada’s Qualifying Exam, or the College’s practice-based assessment of competence.

Guideline

For Supervision of a Pharmacist (EA)

The supervising pharmacist must:

  • Be listed in Part A of the Public Register (1)
  • Not have any terms, conditions or limitations on their certificate of registration that prevents them from supervising another pharmacy professional
  • Have a current and legitimate association with the pharmacist (EA)’s practice site (e.g., reported workplace, shareholder stake, ownership)
  • Have agreed to supervise the pharmacist (EA)
  • Assess the pharmacist (EA)’s competence and the degree of supervision required. Information about determining the level of supervision required is available in the EA Registration FAQs and in the Supervision of Pharmacy Students & Interns fact sheet; and
  • Be available to consult in real-time with the pharmacist (EA). If this communication is in electronic form, both pharmacists have an obligation to ensure they protect personal health information from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with privacy legislation (2-4).

The supervising pharmacist for a pharmacist (EA) does not have to be physically present.

For Supervision of a Pharmacy Technician (EA)

The supervising pharmacist must:

  • Be listed in Part A of the Public Register or be a pharmacist (EA) (1)
  • Not have any terms, conditions or limitations on their certificate of registration that prevents them from supervising another pharmacy professional
  • Have reported on the Public Register the practice site at which supervision of the EA registrant shall occur
  • Have agreed to supervise the pharmacy technician (EA)
  • Assess the pharmacy technician (EA)’s competence and the degree of supervision required. Information about determining the level of supervision required is available in the EA Registration FAQs and can be adapted from the Supervision of Pharmacy Students & Interns fact sheet; and
  • Be available to consult in real-time with the pharmacy technician (EA); and
  • Be physically present where the pharmacy technician (EA) is practising in an accredited pharmacy, other than a remote dispensing location. In all other cases, the supervising pharmacist for a pharmacy technician (EA) does not have to be physically present.

Documentation Requirements

The pharmacist (EA) or pharmacy technician (EA) must report to the College in writing their intended workplace(s) and supervising pharmacist(s) before beginning to practise at the practice site. This workplace information will be posted on the Public Register.

A record of any consultation between the pharmacist (EA) and the supervising pharmacist must be documented in the relevant patient’s file by the pharmacist (EA) or (for administrative or operational consultations) in a manner that is timely and readily retrievable.

The supervising pharmacist for an EA registrant should be readily identifiable at any point in time.

The supervising pharmacist’s agreement to supervise the pharmacist (EA) or the pharmacy technician (EA) should be documented in a manner that is readily retrievable.

Shared Accountability

If a pharmacist (EA) or pharmacy technician (EA) were to be the subject of a complaint, both the EA registrant and the supervising pharmacist may be held responsible, depending on the issue.

Ongoing Employer Obligations

The Designated Manager or employer continues to be responsible for:

  • Confirming on the Public Register the current registration status of any pharmacist or pharmacy technician they hire (5)
  • Ensuring professional supervision of pharmacy personnel (5)
  • Ensuring the pharmacy has an adequate number of qualified and trained staff to maintain the accepted standards of professional practice, and to deliver safe and effective patient care (6)
  • Reporting if they revoke privileges or terminate/suspend a regulated health professional for reasons of professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity (5,7)
References:
  1. General Regulation 202/94 under the Pharmacy Act, 1991
  2. Personal Health Information Protection Act, S.O. 2004.
  3. Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
  4. Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
  5. Designated Manager – Professional Supervision of Pharmacy Personnel policy
  6. Standards of Operation for Pharmacies
  7. Mandatory Reporting

Legislative Reference:

Additional References:

Published: March 2021
Last Updated: April 8, 2021

College Contact: regprograms@ocpinfo.com / pharmacypractice@ocpinfo.com

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