Department of Pharmacy Policies & Procedures

Number: 2:08

Effective Date: September, 1984

Revisions: 5/98; 9/99; 6/02

Review: 6/09

Approval: October, 1999

Subject: EMPLOYEE EDUCATION AND TRAINING

A. POLICY

The pharmacy shall provide education appropriate for the job requirements of all personnel employed in the department. A formal orientation will be provided and documented for all employees. Supportive personnel will receive formal training in any specialized area and will be certified in this area before they will be allowed to work.

The pharmacy shall maintain records on all in-service programs.

B. PROCEDURE

1.  Education Requirements for Pharmacy Personnel

a.    All pharmacists will complete an orientation course of 8 weeks. During this time they must be certified in competencies for chemotherapy drug preparation and order entry, sterile technique, use of automated compounding equipment, operation of automated dispensing systems, computer order entry and age-related treatment issues. Annually before evaluation, pharmacists must re-certify their competency.

b.    All licensed pharmacists must complete the required hours of continuing education (CE) every year in accordance with Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy Regulations.

c.    Pharmacy technicians shall complete a scheduled pharmacy training course conducted by the pharmacy department. This course is provided upon employment. It is a combination of instructions work and on-the-job training. Technicians are encouraged to take the National Technician Certification Exam and examination fees will be reimbursed for those who pass the exam.

d.    Technicians must complete the formal training program for preparation of IV Admixtures before they may prepare admixtures as allowed by the Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy. Any technician certified for IV preparation must re-certify annually.

e.    All other pharmacy personnel will be provided with on-the job training as appropriate for their job. Areas of re-certification for competency will depend on the job description of the individual.

f.     All pharmacy supportive personnel must attend at least one training program annually.

2.  Responsibility for Education and Training

a.    Pharmacists shall be responsible for obtaining the required CE credits needed for renewal of their license. Whenever possible, the Department of Pharmacy will attempt to make accredited CE programs available. Dependent upon availability of funds, registrations for state or national meetings may be paid or reimbursed for the attendee. Every attempt will be made to distribute such funds equitably.

b.    Supportive personnel will have appropriate education and training programs made available locally. It is, however, the employee’s responsibility to attend at least one session annually.

c.    Certified Pharmacy Technicians will be accorded the same privileges and responsibilities which pharmacists have for obtaining their required Continuing Education credits.

3.  In-service Training

a.    The pharmacy department shall conduct in-service programs for the staff.  Program contents will be related to either clinical or operational aspects of providing pharmacy services. There will be at least 4 programs for supportive staff and 6 programs for pharmacists annually.

b.    The pharmacy department shall conduct in-service programs for the nursing staff. Program contents will be related to drug therapy or operational aspects of obtaining pharmacy services. There will be at least 6 in-services provided annually.

4.  Record Keeping

Attendance of all pharmacy personnel attending pharmacy in-service programs will be documented by a sign-in sheet. Information from this sheet will be maintained on the staff education database.