Gavin Howe
Pharmacy technicians in Florida are governed by several laws and rules, including Florida Administrative Code and Florida Statutes. While a registered pharmacy technician can be delegated the task of mixing suspensions under the supervision of a pharmacist, ultimately, it is the pharmacist who is responsible for the final preparation and accuracy of the prescription. This means that a pharmacist must be directly involved in the process and readily available for consultation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can mix suspensions? | A pharmacist or a duly registered pharmacy intern in this state acting under the direct and immediate personal supervision of a pharmacist. |
| Who can give direction to a pharmacy technician for reconstitution or the addition of additives? | A pharmacist. |
| Who is responsible for the final check of the completed prescription? | A pharmacist. |
| Who must be directly and immediately available to the patient or the patient's agent for consultation? | A pharmacist. |
| Who is responsible for maintaining all drug records and providing security for the area in which compounding, storing, and dispensing of medicinal drugs occur? | A licensed pharmacist. |
| Who can perform delegated duties, tasks, or functions? | Registered pharmacy interns and registered pharmacy technicians, subject to a continuing review and ultimate supervision of the pharmacist who instigated the specific task. |
| Who can be placed in a pharmacy for practical training? | A pharmacy technician student. |
| Who can be employed as a registered pharmacy technician without paying a registration fee or filing an application with the board to register as a pharmacy technician? | A person who is licensed by the state as a pharmacy intern. |
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What You'll Learn
Pharmacy technician registration
To register as a pharmacy technician in Florida, candidates must be at least 17 years old and complete a Board-approved pharmacy technician training program. Florida recognizes several types of training programs for pharmacy technicians, including those offered by accredited agencies such as the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), educational institutions within the Florida public school system, military training programs, and institutions accredited by the Council on Occupational Education. These programs typically cover various aspects of pharmacy work, including medication dispensing, pharmacy law, ethics, and patient interaction.
The next step is to submit an application online at the Florida Board of Pharmacy website. All fields must be completed, including the applicant's Social Security Number, which is mandatory for approval. Official transcripts and completion certificates should be mailed directly to the Board, not uploaded online, to ensure they are considered official. The application fee is $50, and the total cost, including licensure and unlicensed activity fees, is $105.
Applicants with a criminal or disciplinary history must provide specific documentation as part of a criminal background check. The Board reviews applications and documents in the order they are received and communicates any deficiencies in writing. The initial review process can take up to 30 days.
Once registered, pharmacy technicians in Florida must renew their registration biennially. It is important to note that the delegation of duties to registered pharmacy technicians must be performed under the continuing review and ultimate supervision of a pharmacist, who retains professional and personal responsibility for any delegated act performed by the technician.
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Pharmacy technician supervision
In Florida, the practice of pharmacy is governed by Section 465.003(13), F.S. and Rule 64B16-26.103, 64B16-26.350, 64B16-26.351, 64B16-27.410, 64B16-27.420, and the Florida Administrative Code.
The law states that the delegation of duties to registered pharmacy technicians must be done under the continuing review and ultimate supervision of a licensed pharmacist. This means that while technicians can perform specific tasks, the pharmacist retains professional and personal responsibility for any delegated act. The pharmacist must also be directly and immediately available to the patient or the patient's agent for consultation.
In addition, the pharmacy technician must work under the direct and immediate personal supervision of a pharmacist when performing functions within the definition of the practice of the profession of pharmacy. These functions include supervising controlled substance inventory, receiving verbal prescriptions, consulting with practitioners, and advising patients.
To ensure compliance with the law, a permittee that employs registered pharmacy technicians is required to have a written policy and procedures manual. This manual specifies the duties, tasks, and functions that a registered pharmacy technician is authorized to perform. This helps to maintain clear boundaries and responsibilities for both the pharmacist and the technician, ensuring safe and effective pharmacy practices in Florida.
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Pharmacy technician training
One notable aspect of pharmacy technician training is its focus on practical, hands-on experience. This experiential learning approach allows trainees to apply their knowledge in real-world pharmacy settings, enhancing their skills and confidence. The training covers various topics, including pharmacology, medication safety, quality assurance, inventory management, and pharmacy laws and regulations. Trainees also learn about the different types of medications, their uses, and their effects on the body, enabling them to identify the most commonly prescribed drugs in the United States.
Additionally, pharmacy technician training emphasizes the importance of safety protocols and accurate documentation. Trainees are taught how to properly handle and dispense medications, ensuring patient safety and adhering to legal requirements. They also gain insights into the billing and reimbursement processes, information systems usage, and inventory management techniques specific to the pharmaceutical industry.
Some training programs, like the one offered by Walgreens, follow an "earn while you learn" model, providing participants with the opportunity to gain practical experience and earn a pay increase upon becoming certified pharmacy technicians. This approach ensures that trainees can apply their knowledge in a working pharmacy environment while receiving guidance and support from experienced professionals.
To ensure comprehensive preparation, aspiring pharmacy technicians often aim to enroll in programs recognized by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and accredited by relevant organizations. These programs thoroughly prepare students for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), which is a crucial step towards obtaining certification and beginning a career as a certified pharmacy technician.
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Pharmacy technician duties
In Florida, pharmacy technicians are governed by specific laws and rules, including Section 465.014 of the Florida Statutes and several provisions of the Florida Administrative Code.
Working Under Supervision: Pharmacy technicians work under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist. This means that while technicians can perform specific tasks, the ultimate responsibility for any delegated act lies with the supervising pharmacist. The pharmacist must provide ongoing review and supervision to ensure continuity between the pharmacist and technician.
Assisting in Dispensing Medications: Technicians support pharmacists in dispensing medications safely and accurately. They may handle tasks such as measuring, mixing, or altering ingredients to prepare medications (known as compounding), but the final check and accuracy of the completed prescription are assumed by the pharmacist.
Record Maintenance and Security: While the pharmacist is responsible for maintaining drug records, technicians may assist in documenting and processing records. This includes systematically organizing records to ensure traceability and easy access for the pharmacist. Technicians also help maintain the security of the pharmacy area where compounding, storing, and dispensing of medications occur.
Patient Interaction: Pharmacy technicians typically interact with patients or their agents under the supervision of the pharmacist. They may provide basic information or assistance but must ensure that the pharmacist is available for direct consultation with the patient if needed.
Other Administrative Tasks: Pharmacy technicians can also perform various administrative tasks, including data entry, inventory management, and maintaining the pharmacy's automated systems. They may also handle billing, insurance claims, and refilling prescriptions.
It is important to note that specific duties may vary among pharmacies, and each pharmacy is required to have a written policy and procedures manual outlining the specific tasks that a registered pharmacy technician is authorized to perform.
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Pharmacy technician law sources
The PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board) is another important source of information for pharmacy technician laws. While the PTCB does not set the regulations for state boards of pharmacy, it offers a certification that is recognised across all 50 states, as well as in the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. This certification can be a valuable asset for pharmacy technicians seeking employment, as it demonstrates a standardised level of knowledge and skill.
State-specific regulations can vary significantly, and it is important for pharmacy technicians to be aware of the laws in the state where they intend to work. For example, some states may have stringent requirements related to formal education, practical experience, and national certification, while others may have more relaxed standards. Additionally, the delegation of tasks to pharmacy technicians is often subject to the supervision and review of a licensed pharmacist, as outlined in Florida's pharmacy laws.
To stay informed about the most current and accurate pharmacy technician laws, it is recommended to refer to official government websites, such as state boards of pharmacy, and to consult with legal professionals or industry organisations. These sources can provide detailed information about the regulations, requirements, and restrictions specific to each state, ensuring that pharmacy technicians are compliant with the law in their practice.
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Frequently asked questions
A pharmacist must be directly responsible for the supervision of a pharmacy technician. The pharmacist will be held responsible for any acts performed by the pharmacy technician under their supervision.
To become a pharmacy technician in Florida, one must be licensed by the state as a pharmacy intern. Alternatively, a pharmacy technician student can be placed in a pharmacy to obtain practical training without needing to register.
A pharmacy that employs a registered pharmacy technician must have a written policy and procedures manual that outlines the duties, tasks, and functions that the technician is allowed to perform.
While I cannot find explicit information on whether a pharmacy technician can mix suspensions, it is mentioned that a pharmacist must be physically present and give direction to the pharmacy technician for the "reconstitution, for addition of additives, or for bulk compounding of the parenteral solution".
If a pharmacy technician's license to practice has been denied, suspended, or restricted for disciplinary purposes, they are not eligible to register as a pharmacy technician.
