PHARMACY SUPPORT SERVICES, 51.0800.20

DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE OF PHARMACOLOGY BASICS

IDENTIFY MEDICAL AND LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS RELATED TO THE PRACTICE OF PHARMACY

DEMONSTRATE MEASUREMENT AND CALCULATING TECHNIQUES

DEMONSTRATE AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE USE OF PRESCRIPTION AND NONPRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS

DEMONSTRATE AN UNDERSTANDING OF PHARMACY COMPOUNDING

DEMONSTRATE METHODS TO ENSURE MEDICATION SAFETY

RECOGNIZE AND RESPOND TO EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

DEMONSTRATE PROCEDURES FOR RECEIVING AND PROCESSING PRESCRIPTIONS AND REFILLS

COLLECT AND RECORD INFORMATION FROM CUSTOMERS/PATIENTS

DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE OF PHARMACY INVENTORY CONTROL

DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE OF PHARMACY BILLING

DEMONSTRATE UNDERSTANDING OF PHARMACY INFORMATION SYSTEM USAGE AND APPLICATION

Identify the top 200 drugs and match them to indications

Differentiate between medications’ generic (trade) names and brand names

Identify common categories of drugs, naming stems that enable identification of the category

Identify classifications of controlled substances

Define major symbols and abbreviations used on prescriptions and state their meaning

Explain the minimum and maximum in determining the strength and dose of medications

Distinguish among drug abuse, dependence, and tolerance

Use common pharmaceutical and medical terminology

1 Identify methods used to store, handle, and dispose of hazardous substances and wastes according to federal standards

Explain hazardous substances exposure, prevention, and treatment (e.g., eyewash, spill kit, and SDSs)

Explain controlled substance transfer regulations according to DEA

4 Identify the documentation requirements for receiving, ordering, returning, loss/theft, and destruction of controlled substances as specified by DEA

Identify the formula use to verify the validity of a prescriber’s DEA number

Describe requirements for recording keeping, documentation, and record retention, (e.g., length of time prescriptions are maintained, repackaged products, recalled products and supplies, and invoices)

Discuss restricted drug programs and related prescription-processing requirements (e.g., FDA’s REMS Program, prior authorization, Medicare and Medicaid Insurance restrictions, and drugs such as thalidomide, isotretinoin, and clozapine with special requirements)

Identify professional standards related to data integrity, security, and confidentiality (e.g., HIPAA, backing up and archiving records)

Explain the requirement for patient consultations by a pharmacist according to OBRA 

Explain the FDA mandatory versus voluntary recall classification

Explain the roles and responsibilities of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and other pharmacy employees according to the Board of Pharmacy (BOP)

Discuss the relationship between state and federal laws and regulations as related to pharmacy

Demonstrate the use of Arabic and Roman numerals, weights and measures, conversion in temperature, and the metric system

Use terminology in the solution of math-related problems

Recognize and use metric units of length, weight, volume, and temperature in mathematical problems

Use complex mathematical calculations (e.g., molecular formula, power volume formula, drip rates, tic toe percentage formula, division, ratio/proportion, and percentages)

Identify common drug interactions (e.g., drug-drug, drug-dietary supplement, and drug-OTC)

Identify contraindications to the use of a drug (e.g., drug-disease, drug laboratory, and drug nutrient)

Identify conditions (e.g., pregnancy, breast-feeding, and allergies) affected by drugs

Explain use and side effects of prescription and nonprescription medications used to treat common disease states, including those affecting body systems (e.g., hypertension, hypothyroidism, diabetes, weight loss, cardiovascular disease, asthma, arthritis, insomnia)

Explain common alternative therapies to prescription medications used to t

Identify common nonprescription medicines (e.g., antacids, laxatives, cold remedies, allergy remedies, pain relievers)

Discuss medications that may interact with other medicines and cause serious health problems

Explain symptoms to adverse drug reaction (e.g., rash, hives, light headedness, vomiting, migraine) and adverse effects (e.g., addiction ,miscarriage, bleeding, deafness, depression)

Explain safety tips about giving children medicines (e.g., aspirin, fever medicine)

Discuss over-the-counter medicine precautions (e.g., read and follow all directions on the bottle or box, take the minimum effective dose, avoid medicine you may be allergic to, call the doctor if you are having a problem with the medicine)

Define pharmacy compounding

Describe infection control processes (e.g., hand washing, laminar air flow, clean room, PPE, and universal precautions)

Identify handling and disposal requirements (e.g., receptacles and waste streams)

Describe documentation requirements (e.g., batch preparation and compounding record) 

Determine product stability (e.g., beyond use and dating and signs of incompatibility)

Identify the selection and use of equipment and supplies used in compounding

Identify sterile compounding processes (e.g., solutions for injection)

Identify nonsterile compounding processes (e.g., ointment, lotions, and IV mixing)

Identify methods to reduce errors in prescription or medication orders (e.g., correct patient, look-alike/soundalike medications, tall man lettering, leading and trailing zeroes, and limit use of error prone abbreviations)

Identify requirements for the package insert and medication guidelines (e.g., special directions and precautions)

Identify issues that require pharmacist intervention (e.g., DUR, ADE, OCT recommendation; therapeutic substitution; misuse; and missed dose)

Identify high-alert/risk medications (refer to published list)

Monitor and record vital signs

Describe legal parameters related to the administration of emergency care

Identify types of CPR (e.g., infant, child, and adult)

Obtain and maintain training or certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), automated external defibrillator (AED), foreign body airway obstruction (FBAO), and first aid

Recognize adverse drug-related emergencies and take appropriate first aid action

Prepare medications within the scope of practice as documented in the Arizona Board of Pharmacy laws and regulations

Follow safety protocols in the preparation of all medications

Use infection control standards and aseptic technique in the admixture of sterile products

Use database software to enter, retrieve, and maintain prescription and refill information

Check prescriptions or medication order for completeness (e.g., patient, physician, medication information, dosing instructions), accuracy, authenticity, legality, and reimbursement eligibility

Follow the established protocol for retrieving drugs from inventory and preparing medications

Calculate and measure medications using a manual or automated system

Label drug products accurately, including auxiliary labels (e.g., poison, shake well before using, store away from direct sunlight, for external use only, take on empty stomach)

Determine packaging requirements (e.g., type of bags, syringes, glass, PVC, child resistant, light resistant)

Follow the established protocol in dispensing and distributing drugs and medications (e.g., validation, documentation, and distribution)

Record prescription or medication order in patient’s profile

Identify situations when refills and renewals need to be reviewed by the pharmacist

Use effective strategies for communicating with non-English speaking individuals or those with special needs (e.g., vision or hearing problems, low reading level, difficulty understanding instructions)

Apply effective verbal and written communication skills

Interview customers/patients for required information

Highlight special requests on the prescription

Document information in an electronic or manual format

Explain the function and application of the national drug code (NDC), lot numbers, and expiration dates

Use the formulary or approved/preferred product list or system

Follow established practices to place drug and device orders by phone and electronically

Follow established practices to receiving items

Follow established practices related to storage requirements (e.g., refrigeration, freezer, warmer, and lock up)

Analyze how chemical stability affects the handling and storage of medications

Follow established practices related to remove items (e.g., recalls, returns, outdates, reverse distribution)

Use the barcoding system to improve accuracy, increase productivity, and control inventory

Follow established practices to maintain a secure inventory to prevent theft by patients and staff

Describe various reimbursement policies and plans (e.g., HMOs, PPO, CMS, Private plans, and Medicare and Medicaid)

Explain third-party resolution (e.g., prior authorization, rejected claims, and plan limitations)

Explain third-party reimbursement systems (e.g., PBM, medication assistance programs, coupons, and selfpay)

Describe healthcare reimbursement systems (e.g., home health, long-term care, home infusion)

Explain Coordination of Benefits (COB)

Describe pharmacy-related computer application for documenting the dispensing of prescriptions or medication orders

Use databases, pharmacy computer applications, and documentation