The Board proposes the rule amendment to update the standards for approval of registered pharmacy technician training programs.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Board of Pharmacy

Rule No.: RULE TITLE
64B16-26.351: Standards for Approval of Registered Pharmacy Technician Training Programs
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Board proposes the rule amendment to update the standards for approval of registered pharmacy technician training programs.
SUMMARY: Standards for approval of registered pharmacy technician training programs will be updated.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared. The Board determined the proposed rule will not have an impact on small business.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 465.014 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 465.014 FS.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN FAW.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Rebecca R. Poston, Executive Director, Board of Pharmacy, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C04, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3254

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

64B16-26.351 Standards for Approval of Registered Pharmacy Technician Training Programs.

(1) The following programs are approved Registered Pharmacy Technician Training programs:

(a) Pharmacy technician training programs accredited, approved or licensed on or before the effective date of this rule January 1,2011 by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists,

(b) Pharmacy technician training programs at institutions accredited, approved or licensed on or before the effective date of this rule January 1, 2011 by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools,

(c) Pharmacy technician training programs accredited, approved or licensed on or before the effective date of this rule January 1, 2011 by the Florida Department of Education, or Florida Commission for Independent Education,

(d) Pharmacy technician training programs provided by a branch of the federal armed services for which the applicant possesses a certificate of completion on or the effective date of this rule.

(e) Pharmacy technician training programs at institutions accredited, approved or licensed on or before the effective date of this rule January 1, 2011 by the Council on Occupational Education.

(f) Pharmacy technician training programs approved on or before the effective date of this rule by a body recognized by the United States Department of Education.

(2) All programs not listed in paragraphs (1)(a) through (f) and which are not employer based programs, must:

(a) Meet the requirements of and be licensed by the Department of Education pursuant to Chapter 1005, F.S., or the equivalent licensing authority of another state or county, or be within the public school system of the State of Florida; or be accredited or approved by one of the following:

1. The American Society of Health System Pharmacists,

2. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools,

3. The Florida Commission for Independent Education,

4. A branch of the federal armed services, or

5. The Council on Occupational Education, and

(b) Offer a course of study that includes:

Course of study

1. Introduction to pharmacy and health care systems:

a. Confidentiality,

b. Patient rights and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA),

2. Pharmacy law:

a. Federal law,

b. State law,

c. State rules,

d. Pharmacy technician rules and law,

3. Pharmaceutical – medical terminology, abbreviations, and symbols:

a. Medication safety and error prevention,

b. Prescriptions and medication orders,

4. Records management and inventory control:

a. Pharmaceutical supplies,

b. Medication labeling,

c. Medication packaging and storage,

d. Controlled substances,

e. Adjudication and billing,

5. Interpersonal relations, communications, and ethics:

a. Diversity of communications,

b. Empathetic communications,

c. Ethics governing pharmacy practice,

d. Patient and caregiver communication,

6. Pharmaceutical calculations.

(c) Apply directly to the Board of Pharmacy on approved form DH-MQA 1239 “Board of Pharmacy Application for Registered Pharmacy Technician Training Programs,” effective August 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference. To obtain an application, contact the Board of Pharmacy at 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C04, Tallahassee, FL 32399-3254, or [phone], or download the application from the board's website at http//:www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/pharmacy and provide the following information:

1. Sample transcript and diploma;

2. Copy of curriculum, catalog or other course descriptions;

3. Faculty credentials; and

4. Proof of licensure, accreditation or approval by one of the entities listed in paragraph (2)(a).

(d) The Board will review the curriculum, catalog or course description to determine that:

1. Learning experiences and teaching methods are appropriate to meet the content stated above.

2. Time allocated for each participant shall be sufficient to meet the objectives of each activity.

3. Principles of adult education are utilized in determining teaching strategies and learning activities.

(e) Faculty Qualifications.

1. The program shall provide evidence of academic preparation or experience in the subject matter by submitting a job description, resume or curriculum vitae which describes the faculty member’s work experience and level of academic preparation.

2. When the subject matter of an offering includes pharmacy technician practice, a licensed pharmacist or registered pharmacy technician with expertise in the content area must be involved in the planning and instruction.

3. Pharmacy technician faculty supervising learning experiences in a clinical area in this State shall be currently registered.

(3)(2) All other training programs must be employer based. Any pharmacy technician training program sponsored by a Florida permitted pharmacy or affiliated group of pharmacies under common ownership, must contain a minimum of 160 hours of training, that extends over a period not to exceed 6 months; is provided solely to employees of said pharmacy or affiliated group; and has been approved by the Board. An application for approval of a Registered Pharmacy Technician Training Program shall be made on Board of Pharmacy approved form DH-MQA 1239 1232 “Board of Pharmacy Application for Registered Pharmacy Technician Training Programs Provider Application,” effective August February 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference. To obtain an application, contact the Board of Pharmacy at 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C04, Tallahassee, FL 32399-3254, or [phone], or download the application from the board’s website at http//:www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/pharmacy. The application must be accompanied with a non-refundable application fee. The applicant must attach to the application copy of curriculum, catalog or other course description. The curriculum, catalog or course description must demonstrate that the following objectives are must be met:

(a) Program content:

1. through 6. No change.

(b) Materials and Methods. The Board will review the curriculum, catalog or course description to determine Evidence satisfactory to the Board shall be presented that:

1. No change.

2. Time allocated for each participant activity shall be sufficient to meet the objectives of each activity for the participant to meet the objectives.

3. No change.

(c) Faculty Qualifications.

1. The program faculty shall provide evidence of academic preparation or experience in the subject matter by submitting a job description, resume or curriculum vitae which describes the faculty member’s work experience and level of academic preparation.

2. through 4. No change.

(d) Evaluation. Evidence satisfactory to the Board shall be presented that participants are given an opportunity to evaluate learning experiences, instructional methods, facilities and resources used for the offering. Satisfactory evidence is a sample evaluation to be reviewed by the Board. Self-directed learning experiences, including but not limited to home study, computer programs, internet or web-based courses, are required to evaluate participant knowledge at the completion of the learning experience. The evaluation must include a minimum of 100 questions. The participant must achieve a minimum score of 70% on the evaluation to receive the certificate of completion. The evaluation must be graded by the provider.

(e) No change.

(f) Required documentation.

1. through 3. No change.

4. Providers shall furnish each participant with an authenticated individual Certificate of Completion.

5. No change.

Rulemaking Authority 465.014 FS. Law Implemented 465.014 FS. History–New 6-23-10, Amended________.

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Board of Pharmacy
NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Board of Pharmacy
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: August 10, 2010
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: July 2, 2010