NMBOP: 16.19.22 SUPPORT PERSONNEL and PHARMACY TECHNICIANS

Question 1

“Direct supervision”

Answer 1

means that the pharmacist onsite shall observe and direct to a degree sufficient to assure the accurate completion of the activities of the pharmacy technicians and must provide a final check of all aspects of the prepared product and document the final check before dispensing.

Question 2

“Indirect supervision”

Answer 2

means that the pharmacist offsite shall observe via live surveillance cameras and direct pharmacy activity remotely via remote tele-pharmacy communication technology to a degree sufficient to assure the accurate completion of the activities of the pharmacy technicians and must provide a final check of all aspects of the prepared product and document the final check before dispensing.

Question 3

“Pharmacy technician”

Answer 3

means a person who, under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist, performs repetitive tasks not requiring the professional judgment of a pharmacist. This includes assisting in various technical activities associated with the preparation and distribution of medications.

Question 4

“Certified pharmacy technician”

Answer 4

means a pharmacy technician who has completed the training and certification outlined in 16.19.22.9 NMAC, completed a board approved certification exam, is registered by the board of pharmacy and maintains current board approved certification.

Question 5

“Non-certified pharmacy technician”

Answer 5

means a pharmacy technician who is in the process of completing the training and education outlined in 16.19.22.9 NMAC and is registered by the board of pharmacy.

Question 6

“Remote pharmacy technician”

Answer 6

means a certified pharmacy technician who meets the special requirements for indirect supervision at a remote dispensing site as specified in the board of pharmacy tele-pharmacy regulations.

Question 7

“Prescription drug”

Answer 7

means and human drug required by federal or state law or regulation to be dispensed only by a prescription, including finished dosage forms and active ingredients subject to Section 503(b) of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

Question 8

“Professional judgment”

Answer 8

means a cognitive process, by a licensed professional, that takes education, experience, current primary literature and current standards of practice into consideration when drawing conclusions and reaching decisions.

Question 9

“Stocking”

Answer 9

means placing prescription drugs on pharmacy shelf, in bin or dispensing technology system.

Question 10

“Supervision”

Answer 10

means that the pharmacist shall observe and direct to a sufficient degree to assure the accurate completion of the activities of the pharmacy technicians and must provide a final check of all aspects of the prepared product and document the final check before dispensing.

Question 11

“Support personnel”

Answer 11

means pharmacy personnel other than pharmacy technicians, which may include clerks, secretary’s and delivery personnel, who under the supervision of a pharmacist, may perform duties associated with the practice of pharmacy, excluding the direct processing and filling of prescriptions, stocking prescription drugs, in sites that do not utilize a barcode verification, electronic verification or similar verification process to ensure correct selection of medication or duties restricted to only a pharmacist, pharmacist intern, or pharmacy technician.

Question 12

“Technician training sponsor”

Answer 12

means pharmacist-in-charge, pharmacist or designated administrator at a pharmacy technician training program who assumes responsibility for training and duties performed by a non-certified technician.

Question 13

Q: What initial training must a pharmacy technician complete?

Answer 13

A: The pharmacy technician must complete initial training which includes:

1. Federal and state laws and regulations that affect pharmacy practice; specific regulations which address the use of supportive personnel and technicians;
2. Ethical and professional standards of practice;
3. Medical and pharmaceutical terminology, symbols and abbreviations used in the practice of pharmacy and components of a prescription;
4. Pharmaceutical calculations necessary for the preparation and dispensing of drug products;
5. Manufacturing, preparation, packaging, labeling and proper storage of drug products;
6. Dosage forms and routes of administration;
7. Trade and generic names for medications frequently dispensed by the pharmacy;
8. Basic comprehension of pharmacology;
9. Basic knowledge of appropriate pharmacy references.

Question 14

Q: What information must be included in the written record of training and education for a pharmacy technician?

Answer 14

A: The written record of training and education must include:

1. Name of person receiving the training;
2. Date(s) of the training;
3. Description of the topics covered;
4. Names of the person(s) who provided the training;
5. Signature of the technician and the technician training sponsor.

Question 15

Q: When must a written record of training and education be submitted to the board?

Answer 15

A: A written record of training and education must be submitted to the board with certification exam documentation to obtain certified pharmacy technician registration.

Question 16

Q: What is the certification requirement for pharmacy technicians?

Answer 16

A: All technicians are required to obtain board-approved certification within one year of registration with the board as a technician. Extensions will no longer be granted to pharmacy technicians registered on or after November 15, 2010.

Question 17

Q: What is the responsibility of the pharmacist-in-charge regarding pharmacy technician training?

Answer 17

A: The pharmacist-in-charge is responsible for:

1. Implementing policies and procedures for additional training appropriate to the duties and responsibilities performed by a pharmacy technician;
2. Establishing an ongoing quality assurance plan to assure competency.

Question 18

RATIO OF TECHNICIANS TO PHARMACISTS:

Answer 18

A. The permissible ratio of pharmacy technicians to pharmacists on duty is to be determined by the pharmacist in charge.

B. The board reserves the right to impose a ratio of pharmacy technicians to pharmacists if circumstances so dictate.

Question 19

Q: Who is responsible for the actions of pharmacy technicians?

Answer 19

A: The supervising pharmacist and the pharmacist-in-charge are responsible for the actions of pharmacy technicians. Performance of tasks by the pharmacy technician and support personnel outside the limits of the regulations authorized by the supervising pharmacist shall constitute unprofessional conduct on the part of the pharmacist and the pharmacist-in-charge.

Question 20

Q: What responsibilities require the use of professional judgment and must be performed only by a pharmacist or pharmacist intern?

Answer 20

A: The following responsibilities require the use of professional judgment and therefore shall be performed only by a pharmacist or pharmacist intern:

1. Receipt of all new verbal prescription orders and reduction to writing;
2. Evaluation and interpretation of the prescription order and any necessary clinical clarification prior to dispensing;
3. Clinical consultation with a patient or his agent regarding a prescription or over-the-counter drug;
4. Evaluation of available clinical data in the patient medication record system;
5. Oral communication with the patient or patient’s agent of information, as defined in the section under patient counseling, to improve therapy by ensuring proper use of drugs and devices;
6. Professional consultation with the prescriber, the prescriber’s agent, or any other health care professional or authorized agent regarding a patient and any medical information pertaining to the prescription.

Question 21

Q: What duties must be performed only by a pharmacist?

Answer 21

A: Only a pharmacist shall perform the following duties:

1. Final check on all aspects of the completed prescription including sterile products and cytotoxic preparations, and assumption of responsibility for the filled prescription, including, but not limited to, appropriateness of dose, accuracy of drug, strength, labeling, verification of ingredients, and proper container;
2. Evaluation of pharmaceuticals for formulary selection within the facility;
3. Supervision of all pharmacy technicians and support personnel activities including preparations, mixing, assembling, packaging, labeling, and storage of medication;
4. Ensuring the pharmacy technicians and support personnel have been properly trained for the duties they may perform;
5. Any verbal communication with a patient or patient’s representative regarding a change in drug therapy or performing therapeutic interchanges (i.e., drugs with similar effects in specific therapeutic categories); this does not apply to substitution of generic equivalents;
6. Any other duty required of a pharmacist by any federal or state law.

Question 22

Q: Under what circumstances can a pharmacy technician’s registration be revoked, denied, or suspended?

Answer 22

A: In accordance with Section 61-11-20 NMSA 1978, a pharmacy technician’s registration may be revoked, denied, or suspended for grounds that are not specified in the provided text but are implied to be in line with legal and regulatory violations.

Question 23

Q: When must an application and registration fee for a pharmacy technician be submitted?

Answer 23

A: An application (and required registration fee) must be submitted to the board prior to performing any technician duties.

Question 24

Q: What are the requirements for non-certified pharmacy technicians?

Answer 24

A: Non-certified pharmacy technicians must:

1. Complete requirements for certified pharmacy technician within one year of the original application;
2. Not re-apply with the board of pharmacy as a non-certified pharmacy technician unless enrolled in a board-recognized technician training program;
3. Provide the name of the technician training sponsor responsible for training and education with the application;
4. Provide documentation of training and completion of the certification exam to be registered as a certified pharmacy technician.

Question 25

Q: When does the registration for certified pharmacy technicians expire, and what must be done to maintain it?

Answer 25

A: Registration for certified pharmacy technicians will expire biennially on the last day of their birth month and must be renewed prior to expiration. Registration renewal applications must include documentation of current national certification.

Question 26

Q: How should pharmacy technicians report a change of address or employment?

Answer 26

A: Pharmacy technicians shall report any change of address or employment to the board in writing or through the online process available on the board’s website within 10 days.

Question 27

Q: Who may administer vaccines and under what conditions?

Answer 27

A: A certified pharmacy technician may administer vaccines prescribed by and under the direct supervision of a New Mexico licensed pharmacist with current immunization prescriptive authority (“qualified pharmacist”), provided all requirements of this section are met.

Question 28

Q: What training and education are required for a pharmacy technician to administer vaccines?

Answer 28

A: The pharmacy technician must:

1. Successfully complete an ACPE-accredited immunization certification course for pharmacy technicians, which includes study materials, hands-on injection technique, and recognition and treatment of emergency reactions to vaccines. Pharmacy technicians who completed this training before the enactment date of this section will be grandfathered.
2. Complete and maintain current basic life support/cardiopulmonary resuscitation (BLS/CPR) certification.
3. Complete a minimum of 0.2 CEU of ACPE-accredited vaccine-related continuing education during each registration period.

Question 29

Q: What is required for competency assurance in vaccine administration?

Answer 29

A: For competency assurance:

1. The pharmacist-in-charge is responsible for ensuring that the technician has completed the required training and possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities to appropriately engage in vaccine administration.
2. The pharmacist-in-charge must develop, implement, and maintain proper policies and procedures, including training and competency oversight, and ensure compliance with the requirements. This includes an initial observation by a qualified pharmacist to ensure proper administration technique.
3. Both the pharmacist-in-charge and the technician are responsible for maintaining training and education documentation.

Question 30

Q: What are the oversight and activity requirements for vaccine administration by pharmacy technicians?

Answer 30

A: The oversight and activities include:

1. While the pharmacy technician may draw up the vaccine into a syringe, the supervising qualified pharmacist is responsible for final verification.
2. The qualified pharmacist must provide patient counseling as appropriate.
3. The identity of the pharmacy technician who administered each dose of vaccine must be documented, and the qualified pharmacist is responsible for ensuring proper documentation.
4. Supervision: A qualified pharmacist may not supervise more than two pharmacy technicians administering vaccines in a pharmacy setting. In a vaccination clinic, a pharmacist may not supervise more than six qualified pharmacy technicians administering vaccines at one time. The pharmacist-in-charge must ensure adequate staffing levels for duties performed.

Question 31

Q: How should records related to vaccine administration be handled?

Answer 31

A: All records required under this section must be readily available for inspection and produced to the board or the board’s agent upon request.