PROPOSED RULES
(Board of Pharmacy)
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 97-16-087.
Title of Rule: Pharmacy assistants.
Purpose: To regulate the practice of pharmacy technicians and pharmacy assistants.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.64.005, chapter 18.64A RCW.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 18.64A.020.
Summary: The proposed amendments will update rules governing pharmacy assistants and technicians. The proposed amendments implement legislation enacted by the 1997 legislature.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: Implement legislation.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: D. H. Williams, Executive Director, 1300 Quince Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 236-4828.
Name of Proponent: Washington State Board of Pharmacy, governmental.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: Implement legislation, to enhance and promote public health, and to protect health and welfare. The proposed changes redistribute responsibilities within the pharmacy to allow the pharmacist more time to provide direct patient services by allowing appropriately trained ancillary personnel to perform technical and distributive tasks.
Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: The proposed amendments change the title of pharmacy assistants, updates language and terminology, allows the board to approve a certification exam as part of the pharmacy technician training program, requires pharmacy assistants to register with the board, revises the educational requirements for foreign-trained pharmacy technicians, revises the duties a pharmacy assistant and technician can perform, increases the pharmacist to pharmacy technician ratio to one pharmacist to three technicians, and allows the board to approve demonstration projects.
A small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW.
This rule also impacts pharmacies. The standard industrial code (SIC) assigned to pharmacies is 512 with a minor cost threshold of $300. The impact of this rule exceeds the minor threshold.
Is an SBEIS Necessary? Under the Regulatory Fairness Act (chapter 19.85 RCW), a small business economic impact statement (SBEIS) is required whenever a regulation imposes "more than minor" costs on a regulated business. However, the Washington State Business Assistance Center has not developed a "more than minor" threshold for the pharmacy SIC code (#591). Therefore, this analysis used the lower end of the "more than minor" range-$50. The per business cost of the proposed regulation exceeds the $50 minor cost threshold so an SBEIS is required.
Does the Proposed Rule Affect Both Large and Small Businesses? The Regulatory Fairness Act defines a business as "...[any] entity, including a sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership, or other legal entity, that is owned and operated independently from all other businesses, that has the purpose of making a profit..." The act also defines a small business as one that employs less than 50 individuals.
According to the U.S. Department of Commerce,5 696 independent drug stores operated in Washington (SIC #591) in 1996. Of these, 674 had fewer than 50 employees while 22 had more than 50 employees. This rule clearly has the potential of imposing disproportionate costs on small businesses.
Does the Proposed Rule Impose Disproportionate Cost on Small
Businesses? During the development of this SBEIS the board
contacted numerous pharmacies on three separate occasions to
solicit information on the economic impact of this rule. Only
three pharmacies responded. Of the pharmacies that responded,
all three were large corporations. Therefore, information
pertaining to the impact on small businesses is based primarily
upon the experience of staff. The following table details the
board's estimate of the cost of the proposed rule to small and
large businesses.
| Proposed Change | Small Business | Large Business |
| Prohibition of assistants entering new prescriptions into the computer. | The financial effect of prohibiting pharmacy assistants entering new prescriptions into the computer could be offset by redistributing duties within the pharmacy. The proposed amendments allow the assistant to count for individual prescriptions. The current rule does not allow assistants to count for individual prescriptions. The cost associated with the pharmacists performing prescription entry could be offset by allowing assistants to count for individual prescriptions. | The effect on large pharmacies depends on practice site. Some pharmacies currently use pharmacy assistants to enter new prescription information while others do not. Estimated cost up to $4104 per month. This cost will be more than offset by allowing pharmacy assistants to count for individual prescriptions. |
| Requires a foreign trained applicant for which English is not their primary language to obtain a score of 50 on the Test of Spoken English. | No cost-only affects individual pharmacy assistants. Therefore, no disproportionate cost. | No cost-only affects individual pharmacy assistants. Therefore, no disproportionate cost. |
| Requires pharmacies to be able to retrieve within 72 hours records demonstrating a technician's training and proficiency in specialized functions. | Requires pharmacies to store data on pharmacy technician's qualifications. Pharmacies must currently check this information prior to allowing technicians [to] perform specialized functions. Therefore, no disproportionate cost. | Requires pharmacies to store data on pharmacy technician's qualifications. Pharmacies must currently check this information before letting technicians perform specialized functions. Therefore, no disproportionate cost. |
| Develop a new or revise an existing pharmacy technician training program. This requirement only affects pharmacies that train technicians. | Pharmacies report a one-time only cost to develop a pharmacy technician training program at $100 to $2130. This requirement will likely produce a disproportionate impact on small pharmacies for two reasons. First, small pharmacies have fewer employees to spread this cost over. Second, many small pharmacies are located in rural areas and will likely have a more difficult time recruiting certified technicians. | Pharmacies report a one-time only cost to develop a pharmacy technician training program at $100 to $2130. |
| Cost to submit technician training program to board for reapproval every five years. | $350.00 per pharmacy. For the reasons described above likely to produce a disproportionate impact on small pharmacies. | $350.00 per pharmacy. |
| Allows a pharmacist to pharmacy technician ratio of 1 to 3. | Could result in significant savings to pharmacies. However, to capture the savings pharmacies would have to substitute a pharmacy technician ($13 average hourly wage) for a pharmacist ($32). Many small pharmacies will not have the prescription volume to utilize the increased ratio. | Could result in significant savings to pharmacies. Larger pharmacies would have an advantage over small business as they would have more flexibility to change staffing levels. |
| Purchasing new name tags (to designate employees as "pharmacy technician" or "pharmacy assistant"). | Minimal one-time only cost of approximately $3.25 per name tag. Cost would be dependent upon the number of ancillary personnel employed at the pharmacy. | Minimal one-time only cost of approximately $3.25 per name tag. Cost would be dependent upon the number of ancillary personnel employed at the pharmacy |
| Develop a pharmacy services plan. | Unknown. None of the stakeholders providing information were able to estimate the cost of developing a pharmacy services plan. | Unknown. None of the stakeholders providing information were able to estimate the cost of developing a pharmacy services plan. |
| Increase in technician wage due to supply and demand. | $1.00-2.00 per hour per technician. Pharmacy technicians will be needed to work more night and weekend shifts (shifts that were previously covered by assistants). Technician responsibilities have been expanded. |
$1.00-2.00 per hour per technician. Pharmacy technicians will be needed to work more night and weekend shifts (shifts that were previously covered by assistants). Technician responsibilities have been expanded. |
Does the Proposed Rule Impose Disproportionate Cost on Small Businesses? It is very difficult to quantify the cost of this rule on the regulated parties. The impact of this rule varies greatly dependent upon practice site. Very little information was received from pharmacies to assess the cost in spite of three mailings to solicit the information. Some pharmacies do not utilize pharmacy assistants so there will be no financial impact on these parties. Nevertheless, the board concludes that certain requirements in the proposed rule are likely to result in disproportionate burdens on small pharmacies. Specifically: (1) The prohibition of assistants entering new prescriptions into the computer; and (2) the requirement for a training program for pharmacies that hire technicians who have not been certified by the board. In addition, small pharmacies are less likely to be able to take advantage of the proposed relaxation in the ratio of pharmacists to pharmacy technicians. (Staffing at larger pharmacies gives them more flexibility [to] adjust to the proposed increase in the pharmacy technician to pharmacist ratio.)
Steps Taken by the Agency to Reduce the Disproportionate Cost of the Rule on Small Businesses or Justification for Not Doing So: The Regulatory Fairness Act requires state agencies to take steps to reduce the disproportionate burden a regulation places on small businesses where "legal and feasible." The board has determined that it would not be feasible to mitigate the impact of this rule on small businesses. Mitigation could jeopardize public health. An example of this would be allowing pharmacy assistants to continue to enter new prescription information into the computer. The pharmacy assistant is the least trained individual in the pharmacy. This responsibility requires judgment and should be reserved to the pharmacist or the pharmacy technician. Allowing small businesses to use a greater ratio would not protect public health and would not be of benefit to the small business.
Other Mandates of the Regulatory Fairness Act: State efforts to involve businesses when developing the proposed rule. The board created a workgroup to draft proposed amendments to the rule. Small businesses were represented in the workgroup and were given an opportunity to provide input. In addition, all pharmacies were given the opportunity to provide input on the rules at board meetings and in writing. Interested parties have had ample opportunities to participate in the drafting of the rule and to provide comments. This topic has been discussed at every meeting of the board, with the exception of one meeting, during the past two years. In addition, the board has solicited input and comments from licensees through the board's quarterly newsletter.
What Are the Reporting, Recordkeeping, and Other Compliance Requirements? Pharmacies will be required to maintain records pertaining to the training of pharmacy technicians. Pharmacies will also be required to submit pharmacy technician training programs to the board for approval every five years. Training technicians is not mandatory, a pharmacy could hire a technician that has successfully completed training and has his or her certificate to practice.
Will the Proposed Rule Cause Affected Industries to Lose Business? The proposed rule will not cause affected industries to lose business.
5 U.S. Department of Commerce, County Business Patterns, Washington, CBP/96-49, November 1998.
A copy of the statement may be obtained by writing to Lisa Salmi, P.O. Box 47863, Olympia, WA 98504-7863, phone (360) 236-4828, or fax (360) 586-4359.
RCW 34.05.328 applies to this rule adoption. These rules are significant because they adopt substantive provisions, which subject the violator to penalty or sanction and establish, alter or revoke qualifications for the issuance, suspension or revocation of a license. The agency has conducted the additional analysis required under the law.
Hearing Location: Melbourne Towers, 1511 3rd Avenue, Room 308, Seattle, WA, on May 17, 2000, at 10:00 a.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Lisa Salmi by May 1, 2000, TDD (800) 833-6388, or (800) 525-0127.
Submit Written Comments to: Lisa Salmi, fax (360) 586-4359, by May 1, 2000.
Date of Intended Adoption: May 17, 2000.
March 24, 2000
D. H. Williams
Executive Director
OTS-3698.4
PHARMACY ((ASSISTANTS)) ANCILLARY PERSONNEL
(1) "Consultation" means:
(a) A communication or deliberation between a pharmacist and
a patient, a patient's agent, ((and/))or a patient's health care
provider in which the pharmacist uses professional judgment to
provide advice about drug therapy.
(b) A method by which the pharmacist meets patient information requirements as set forth in WAC 246-869-220.
(2) "Dispense" as defined in RCW 18.64.011(16).
(3) "Intravenous admixture preparation" means the preparation of a drug product that combines two or more ingredients using aseptic technique and is intended for administration into a vein.
(4) "Parenteral" as defined in WAC ((246-871-020))
246-871-010.
(5) "Pharmacy ((assistant)) technician specialized function"
means ((a function that the board has determined does not require
the supervision normally required by a Level A pharmacy assistant
but does require additional training)) certain tasks normally
reserved to a pharmacist according to WAC 246-863-095 that may be
performed by a pharmacy technician who has met board
requirements.
(6) "Prescription" as defined in RCW 18.64.011(8).
(7) "Responsible manager" as defined in WAC 246-869-070.
(8) "Unit-dose" and "unit-dose drug distribution system" as defined in WAC 246-865-010.
(9) "Unit-dose medication cassettes" means containers for a patient's medications into which each individually packaged and labeled drug is placed.
(10) "Verification" means ((that)) the pharmacist has
reviewed a patient drug order initiated by an authorized
prescriber, has examined the patient's drug profile, and has
approved the drug order after taking into account pertinent drug
and disease information to insure the correctness of the drug
order for a specific patient. The verification process must
generate an audit trail that identifies the pharmacist. The
pharmacist who performs the verification of a drug order is
responsible for all reports generated by the approval of that
order. The unit-dose medication fill and check reports are an
example.
(11) "Immediate supervision" means visual and/or physical proximity to a licensed pharmacist to ensure patient safety.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64.050. 94-08-097, § 246-901-010, filed 4/6/94, effective 5/7/94.]
(1) ((Level A pharmacy
assistants may assist in performing, under the immediate
supervision and control of a licensed pharmacist, manipulative,
nondiscretionary functions associated with the practice of
pharmacy.
(2) Immediate supervision shall include visual and/or physical proximity that will insure adequate safety controls.
(3) The following shall not be considered to be manipulative and nondiscretionary functions associated with the practice of pharmacy:
(a) Consultation with the prescriber regarding the patient and his prescription.
(b) Receipt of a verbal prescription other than refill approval or denial from a prescriber.
(c) Consultation with the patient regarding the prescription, both prior to and after the prescription filling and/or regarding any information contained in a patient medication record system.
(d) Interpretation and identification of the contents of the prescription document.
(e) Determination of the product required for the prescription.
(f) Extemporaneous compounding of the prescription, except in accordance with written policies and procedures in accordance with WAC 246-901-100, whereby the accuracy, correct procedure and preparation, and safety of pharmaceutical constituents can be verified by the pharmacist.
(g) Interpretation of data in a patient medication record system.
(h) Final check on all aspects of the completed prescription and assumption of the responsibility for the filled prescription, including but not limited to accuracy of drug, strength, labeling, and proper container provided that a Level A pharmacy assistant may perform specialized functions. The employer and the responsible manager are responsible and liable for the acts performed by the Level A pharmacy assistant as set forth in WAC 246-901-100(2) board-approved utilization plan.
(i) Dispense prescriptions to patient with proper patient information as required by WAC 246-869-220.
(j) Any duty required by law, rule or regulation to be performed only by a registered pharmacist.
(4) Except for a specialized function approved by the board for the location, a Level A pharmacy assistant shall not release any drug ordered for a specific patient from the pharmacy or satellite pharmacy that has not been checked by a licensed pharmacist.)) Pharmacy technicians may perform certain nondiscretionary and specialized functions consistent with their training in pharmacy practice while under the immediate supervision of a licensed pharmacist.
(2) The discretionary tasks reserved to a pharmacist are listed in WAC 246-863-095.
(3) Unless authorized as a specialized function according to WAC 246-901-035, the pharmacy technician shall assist a pharmacist in the performance of all tasks except those reserved to a pharmacist in subsection (2) of this section.
(4) Entry of a new medication order into the pharmacy computer system and retrieval of the drug product to fill a prescription are tasks reserved to the pharmacist and pharmacy technician.
(5) The pharmacy assistant may assist a pharmacist in performance of all tasks except those reserved to the pharmacist and pharmacy technician.
(6) Pharmacy ancillary personnel may record or provide medication data when no interpretation is required.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64.050. 94-08-097, § 246-901-020, filed 4/6/94, effective 5/7/94. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64A.020 and 18.64A.030. 92-12-035 (Order 277B), § 246-901-020, filed 5/28/92, effective 6/28/92. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64.005 and chapter 18.64A RCW. 91-18-057 (Order 191B), recodified as § 246-901-020, filed 8/30/91, effective 9/30/91; Order 141, § 360-52-010, filed 12/9/77.]
(1) ((The education and/or training of Level A
pharmacy assistants shall be obtained)) Pharmacy technicians must
obtain education or training from one of the following:
(a) Formal academic program for pharmacy assistant training approved by the board.
(b) On-the-job training program approved by the board.
(2) The minimum educational prerequisite for entering a training program shall be high school graduation or G.E.D.
(3) ((Foreign trained applicants must earn five hundred
twenty hours of supervised experience in an approved pharmacy
assistant training program. In addition,)) In order to receive
certification as a pharmacy technician, the technician must send
the board the following:
(a) A state application indicating completion of board approved training programing;
(b) Proof of successful completion of a certification examination approved by the board.
(4) An out-of-state pharmacy technician applicant must meet the same requirements as a pharmacy technician trained in this state. The board must approve training programs approved in other states.
(5) Applicants whose academic training has been obtained in foreign countries shall meet certification requirements as listed below:
(a) Foreign pharmacy school graduates. Board approval of program completed for the degree.
(b) Foreign medical school graduates. Board approval of program completed for the degree.
(((4))) (c) All foreign graduates for whom English is not
the primary language shall provide proof of receiving a score of
at least ((500)) 173 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language
(TOEFL) and a score of 50 on the Test of Spoken English (TSE)
prior to certification.
(((5))) (d) Foreign trained applicants must earn 520 hours
of supervised experience in an approved pharmacy technician
training program.
(6) Prior to performing specialized functions, ((Level A))
pharmacy ((assistants)) technicians shall complete specialized
training and meet proficiency criteria set forth by the board.
(a) Unit-dose medication checking. The training proficiency criteria requires demonstration of 99% accuracy in medication checking.
(b) Intravenous admixture preparation. The training proficiency criteria requires demonstration of 100% accuracy in intravenous admixture preparation of a representative sample of preparations provided by the facility using aseptic technique.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64.050. 94-08-097, § 246-901-030, filed 4/6/94, effective 5/7/94. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64.005 and chapter 18.64A RCW. 91-18-057 (Order 191B), recodified as § 246-901-030, filed 8/30/91, effective 9/30/91; Order 141, § 360-52-020, filed 12/9/77.]
A ((Level A)) pharmacy ((assistant))
technician who meets established criteria for employment,
experience, training and demonstrated proficiency may perform
specialized functions. The criteria shall be specified in the
utilization plan of the pharmacy for ((Level A)) pharmacy
((assistants)) technicians performing specialized functions
required in WAC 246-901-100 (2)(b). Records of ((Level A))
pharmacy ((assistant)) technician training and of demonstration
of proficiency shall be ((kept on file in the pharmacy))
retrievable within seventy-two hours upon request of the board. Specialized functions include the following:
(1) Unit-dose medication checking. Following verification
of the drug order by a licensed pharmacist, a ((Level A))
pharmacy ((assistant)) technician may check unit-dose medication
cassettes filled by another ((Level A)) pharmacy ((assistant))
technician or pharmacy intern in pharmacies serving facilities
licensed ((pursuant to)) under chapter 70.41, 71.12, 71A.20 or
74.42 RCW. No more than a forty-eight hour supply of drugs may
be included in the patient medication cassettes and a licensed
health professional must check the drug before administering it
to the patient.
(2) Intravenous admixture and other parenteral preparations.
A ((Level A)) pharmacy ((assistant)) technician may prepare
intravenous admixtures and other parenteral drugs. ((Each
parenteral drug prepared by a Level A pharmacy assistant must be
checked by a licensed pharmacist.)) A licensed pharmacist must
check each parenteral drug prepared by a pharmacy technician.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64.050. 94-08-097, § 246-901-035, filed 4/6/94, effective 5/7/94.]
An individual
enrolled in a training program for ((Level A)) pharmacy
((assistants)) technicians will perform ((Level A)) technician
functions only under the immediate supervision of a pharmacist
preceptor or a delegated alternate pharmacist.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64.005 and chapter 18.64A RCW. 91-18-057 (Order 191B), recodified as § 246-901-040, filed 8/30/91, effective 9/30/91; Order 141, § 360-52-030, filed 12/9/77.]
(1) Program standards. The board will establish standards ((by
which programs designed to train Level A)) for judging pharmacy
((assistants shall be judged)) technician training programs.
(2) Approval. In order for a program for training pharmacy
((assistants)) technicians to be considered for approval by the
board, the director of the program, who shall be a pharmacist,
shall submit to the board a description of the course of training
offered, including subjects taught, method of teaching, and
practical experience provided. The director of the program shall
also advise the board concerning the skills and knowledge which
are obtained in ((such)) the course, and the method by which the
proficiency of the pharmacy ((assistant)) technician in those
skills and knowledge ((was)) is tested or ascertained. The board
may require such additional information from program sponsors
((as it desires)).
(3) Program change. ((The board shall be informed and shall
grant approval before any significant change in program can be
implemented.)) The director shall request board approval before
implementing any significant program change.
(4) Reapproval. ((Each approved program will be reexamined
at intervals to be determined by the board. Approval will be
continued or withdrawn following each reexamination.)) The
director shall submit each approved program to the board for
reapproval every five years.
(5) Registry. ((A registry of approved programs shall be
maintained by the board which shall be available upon request to
interested persons.)) The board will maintain a registry of
approved programs. Interested persons may request a copy of the
registry by contacting the board.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64.005 and chapter 18.64A RCW. 91-18-057 (Order 191B), recodified as § 246-901-050, filed 8/30/91, effective 9/30/91; Order 141, § 360-52-040, filed 12/9/77.]
((Any person completing an approved pharmacy assistant training
program and who wishes to perform in that capacity shall apply to
the board for certification as a Level A pharmacy assistant, on
forms to be supplied by the board, which shall include a
verification of program competency by a notarized statement of
the program director and a declaration by the applicant
indicating whether he or she has at any time been found guilty by
any court of competent jurisdiction of any violation of any laws
relating to drugs or the practice of pharmacy.)) To become
certified as a pharmacy technician, an individual must:
(1) Complete an approved pharmacy technician program;
(2) Apply to the board for certification. The application must include a notarized statement of program verification signed by the program director.
It is the responsibility of the pharmacy ((assistant))
technician to maintain a current mailing address with the board
as required by chapter 246-12 WAC. Pharmacy ((assistants))
technicians shall notify the ((state)) board ((of pharmacy)) of
any change of mailing address within thirty days of the change. ((The board may rely upon the last mailing address for purposes
of service or delivery of any official board documents, including
the service of adjudicative proceeding documents. If, after a
good faith but unsuccessful attempt to determine the actual
address of a certificate holder, charges against the pharmacy
assistant are mailed by certified mail to the address on file
with the board and returned unclaimed or are unable to be
delivered for any reason, the board may proceed against the
assistant by default under RCW 34.05.440.))
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64.005. 93-17-097 (Order 387B), § 246-901-060, filed 8/17/93, effective 9/17/93. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64.005 and chapter 18.64A RCW. 91-18-057 (Order 191B), recodified as § 246-901-060, filed 8/30/91, effective 9/30/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64A.030. 88-14-043 (Order 217), § 360-52-050, filed 6/30/88; Order 141, § 360-52-050, filed 12/9/77.]
(1) If the technician license has expired for five years or less, the practitioner must meet the requirements of chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 2.
(2) If the license has expired for over five years, the practitioner must:
(a) Complete certification requirements within one year of
application to the board for certification((, complete the
certification requirements));
(b) Meet the requirements of chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 2.
(3) If the practitioner has been in an active practice in
another United States jurisdiction with duties that are
substantially equivalent to a ((Level A)) pharmacy ((assistant))
technician in Washington state, the practitioner must:
(a) Submit verification of active practice from any other United States jurisdiction;
(b) Meet the requirements of chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 2.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.280. 98-05-060, § 246-901-065, filed 2/13/98, effective 3/16/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64.005. 93-17-097 (Order 387B), § 246-901-065, filed 8/17/93, effective 9/17/93.]
((Level B)) Pharmacy assistants may perform, under
the general supervision of a licensed pharmacist, all duties
((including typing of prescription labels, filing, refiling,
bookkeeping, pricing or determination of cost or charge,
stocking, delivery, nonprofessional phone inquiries, and
documentation of third party reimbursements)) except those
reserved to the pharmacist and the pharmacy technician.
((Level B)) Pharmacy assistants may:
(1) Prepackage and label drugs for subsequent use in
prescription dispensing operations. ((However, they cannot))
(2) Count, pour, ((or)) and label for individual
prescriptions.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64.005 and chapter 18.64A RCW. 91-18-057 (Order 191B), recodified as § 246-901-070, filed 8/30/91, effective 9/30/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64A.030. 88-14-043 (Order 217), § 360-52-060, filed 6/30/88. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64.005(11) and 18.64A.030. 80-02-113 (Order 153, Resolution No. 1/80), § 360-52-060, filed 1/28/80. Statutory Authority: RCW 69.50.201. 79-04-048 (Order 147, Resolution No. 3-79), § 360-52-060, filed 3/27/79; Order 141, § 360-52-060, filed 12/9/77.]
(1) Training. No formal
training or educational program will be required by the board,
and there will be no age or educational restrictions. The
supervising pharmacist shall thoroughly instruct the ((Level B))
pharmacy assistant in the limitations of the functions he or she
may perform.
(2) ((Record of certifications. All pharmacies employing
Level B pharmacy assistants shall complete a certification
application on a form approved by the board, such form to include
a declaration by the applicant that he or she has never been
found guilty by any court of competent jurisdiction of any
violation of any laws relating to drugs or the practice of
pharmacy, for each Level B pharmacy assistant employed. The
completed form will be witnessed by the responsible pharmacist
for the pharmacy and will be produced for inspection on the
request of the board or its agents.)) Registration of pharmacy
assistants. Any person desiring registration as a pharmacy
assistant shall apply to the board for registration on forms to
be supplied by the board. The fee for ((certification))
registration will be included in the fee for authorization to
utilize the services of pharmacy ((assistants)) ancillary
personnel.
(3) It is the responsibility of the pharmacy assistant to maintain a current mailing address with the board as required by chapter 246-12 WAC. Pharmacy assistants shall notify the board of any change of mailing address within thirty days of the change.
(4) A pharmacy assistant registration must be renewed every two years on the assistant's birthdate. The fee for renewal is included in the fee the pharmacy pays to utilize pharmacy ancillary personnel.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64.005 and chapter 18.64A RCW. 91-18-057 (Order 191B), recodified as § 246-901-080, filed 8/30/91, effective 9/30/91; Order 141, § 360-52-070, filed 12/9/77.]
All ((Level A)) pharmacy
((assistants must wear badges or tags clearly identifying them as
Level A pharmacy assistants while on duty. Those pharmacy
assistants)) ancillary personnel working within the pharmacy and
having contact with patients or the general public shall wear
badges or tags clearly identifying ((their status)) them as
pharmacy assistants or technicians.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64.005 and chapter 18.64A RCW. 91-18-057 (Order 191B), recodified as § 246-901-090, filed 8/30/91, effective 9/30/91; Order 141, § 360-52-080, filed 12/9/77.]
(1) Application. All licensed pharmacies may apply
on a form supplied by the board for permission to utilize the
services of pharmacy ((assistants)) ancillary personnel.
(2) Utilization plan for ((Level A)) pharmacy ((assistants))
technicians.
(a) General. The application for approval must describe the
manner in which the pharmacy ((assistants)) technicians will be
utilized and supervised, including job descriptions, task
analysis or similar type documents that define the duties
performed and the conditions under which they are performed,
number of positions in each category, as well as other
information as may be required by the board. The board will be
notified of all changes to the utilization plan. A copy of the
utilization plan must be maintained in the pharmacy.
(b) Specialized function. The utilization plan for ((Level
A)) pharmacy ((assistants)) technicians performing specialized
functions. The utilization plan must include:
(i) The criteria for selection of ((Level A)) pharmacy
((assistants)) technicians to perform specialized functions;
(ii) A description of the methods of training and of initial demonstration of proficiency;
(iii) A copy of the part of the section of the pharmacy's
quality assurance plan related to pharmacy ((assistants))
technician specialized functions;
(iv) Other information that may be required by the board.
(c) To gain approval for specialized functions, a pharmacy
must follow board-approved guidelines regarding pharmacy
((assistant)) technician training, implementation and evaluation.
(3) Utilization plan for ((Level B)) pharmacy assistants. The application for approval shall list the job title or function
of the pharmacy assistant.
(4) The board may give conditional approval for pilot or
demonstration projects for innovative applications in the
utilization of pharmacy ((assistants)) ancillary personnel.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64.050. 94-08-097, § 246-901-100, filed 4/6/94, effective 5/7/94. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64.005 and chapter 18.64A RCW. 91-18-057 (Order 191B), recodified as § 246-901-100, filed 8/30/91, effective 9/30/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64A.030. 88-14-043 (Order 217), § 360-52-090, filed 6/30/88; Order 141, § 360-52-090, filed 12/9/77.]
Pharmacy technician and assistant applicants must complete four clock hours of AIDS education as required in chapter 246-12 WAC, Part 8.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.70.280. 98-05-060, § 246-901-120, filed 2/13/98, effective 3/16/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64.005 and chapter 18.64A RCW. 91-18-057 (Order 191B), recodified as § 246-901-120, filed 8/30/91, effective 9/30/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64.005. 89-04-015 (Order 222), § 360-52-110, filed 1/23/89.]
(1) ((RCW 18.64A.040 establishes a ratio of
pharmacists to Level A pharmacy assistants who are performing
Level A functions. This ratio is one pharmacist to one Level A
pharmacy assistant in most pharmacies, including hospital
outpatient activities and one to three in pharmacies associated
with inpatient hospital services including those pharmacies
operating in connection with facilities licensed pursuant to
chapter 70.41, 71.12, 71A.20 or 74.42 RCW.
(2))) A standard ratio of one pharmacist to a maximum of three technicians is established for each licensed pharmacy.
(2) The pharmacist must be actively practicing pharmacy.
(3) In determining which pharmacists may be included in the
calculation of the ratio, the board will consider approval of
pharmacy ((assistant)) technician utilization plans which include
all pharmacists within the pharmacy who are engaged in the actual
practice of pharmacy. When the pharmacy provides service to
inpatients of a hospital or extended care facility, pharmacists
who are practicing pharmacy outside of the confines of the
licensed pharmacy (((e.g.)) for example, performing nursing unit
inspections, reviewing charts, consulting with health
professional staff) may be included in the ratio, ((provided))
if:
(a) There are sufficient numbers of pharmacists within the
pharmacy to properly supervise the work of the pharmacy
((assistants)) technicians;
(b) The pharmacy is not open to the public;
(c) The medications are being checked by another health professional before being given to the patient;
(d) Drug orders are not dispensed from the pharmacy without
being checked by a licensed pharmacist or pharmacy intern except
for board-approved ((Level A)) pharmacy ((assistant)) technician
specialized functions provided a ((Level A)) pharmacy
((assistant)) technician may check unit-dose medication
cassettes.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64.050. 94-08-097, § 246-901-130, filed 4/6/94, effective 5/7/94. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64.005 and chapter 18.64A RCW. 91-18-057 (Order 191B), recodified as § 246-901-130, filed 8/30/91, effective 9/30/91. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.64.005. 91-11-040 (Order 169B), § 360-52-120, filed 5/10/91, effective 6/10/91.]
A pharmacy may use more pharmacy technicians than prescribed by the standard ratio if the board approves the pharmacy's pharmacy services plan.
(1) The pharmacy services plan shall include, at a minimum, the following information: Pharmacy design and equipment, information systems, workflow, and quality assurance procedures. In addition, the pharmacy services plan shall demonstrate how it facilitates the provision of pharmaceutical care by the pharmacy.
(2) The board may require additional information to ensure appropriate oversight of pharmacy technicians before approving a pharmacy services plan.
(3) The board may give conditional approval for pilot or demonstration projects.
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The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
| WAC 246-901-110 | Level A experience equivalency. |