W. Va. Code R. § 15-7-4

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 15-7-4 - Learning Institution or Training Center Provided and On-the-Job Pharmacy-Provided Competency-Based Training Program

4.1. A pharmacy may employ an individual as a pharmacy technician trainee and provide on-the-job, competency-based pharmacy technician training for the individual to become qualified for registration as a pharmacy technician. A pharmacy shall submit its pharmacy technician training program to the Board for approval prior to its use. The training program shall be outlined in a training manual which shall be used throughout the program. A competency-based pharmacy technician education and training program shall, at a minimum contain the following:

4.1.a. written procedures and guidelines for the use and supervision of pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technician trainees. The procedures and guidelines shall:

4.1.a.1. specify the manner in which the pharmacist-in-charge responsible for the supervision of pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technician trainees, shall supervise the pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technician trainees, and verify the accuracy and completeness of all acts and functions performed by them; and

4.1.a.2. specify duties which may and may not be performed by pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technician trainees; and

4.1.b. instruction in the following areas and any additional areas appropriate to the duties of pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technician trainees in the pharmacy:

4.1.b.1. Orientation;

4.1.b.2. Job descriptions;

4.1.b.3. Communication techniques;

4.1.b.4. Legislative rules of the West Virginia Board of Pharmacy;

4.1.b.5. Security and safety;

4.1.b.6. Prescription drugs, including:

4.1.b.6.A. Basic pharmaceutical nomenclature; and

4.1.b.6.B. Dosage forms;

4.1.b.7. Prescription drug orders, including:

4.1.b.7.A. Prescribers;

4.1.b.7.B. Directions for use;

4.1.b.7.C. Commonly used abbreviations and symbols;

4.1.b.7.D. Number of dosage units;

4.1.b.7.E. Strengths and systems of measurement;

4.1.b.7.F. Routes of administration;

4.1.b.7.G. Frequency of administration;

4.1.b.7.H. Interpreting directions for use; and

4.1.b.8. Prescription drug order preparation, including:

4.1.b.8.A. the creation or updating of patient medication records;

4.1.b.8.B. the entering of prescription drug order information into the computer or typing the label in a manual system;

4.1.b.8.C. the selection of the correct stock bottle and the accurate counting of or pouring of the appropriate quantity of drug product;

4.1.b.8.D. the selection of the proper container; and

4.1.b.8.E. the preparation of the finished drug product for inspection, labelling, and final check by pharmacists;

4.1.b.9. Drug product repackaging;

4.1.b.10. the compounding of non-sterile pharmaceuticals; and

4.1.b.11. Written policy and guidelines for the use of and supervision of pharmacy technicians.

4.2. A pharmacy technician trainee shall complete initial training at a pharmacy as outlined by the pharmacist-in-charge in the training manual, prior to the regular performance of his or her duties. The on-the-job, competency-based pharmacy technician training program shall consist of a minimum of 500 hours of employment within a 12-month period under the direct supervision of a pharmacist.

4.3. An individual may work as a pharmacy technician trainee only as a student enrolled in a competency-based pharmacy technician education and training program of a learning institution or training center approved by the Board as part of an experiential education component, or as an employee of a pharmacy in a 500-hour on-the-job, competency-based pharmacy technician training program. Prior to starting work in a pharmacy as a pharmacy technician trainee, the applicant shall submit an application on the forms provided by the board evidencing that he or she:

4.3.a. has graduated from a high school or obtained a Certificate of General Educational Development (GED) or its equivalent, or is currently enrolled in a high school competency-based pharmacy technician education and training program;

4.3.b. is not an alcohol or drug abuser;

4.3.c. has not been convicted of a crime bearing a rational nexus to the practice duties of a pharmacy technician. For other convictions not bearing a rational nexus to the practice of pharmacy, the Board shall permit the applicant to apply for initial licensure if:

4.3.c.1. a period of five years has elapsed from the date of conviction or the date of release from incarceration, whichever is later;

4.3.c.2. the individual has not been convicted of any other crime during the period of time following the disqualifying offense; and

4.3.c.3. the conviction was not for an offense of a violent or sexual nature: Provided, that a conviction for an offense of a violent or sexual nature may subject an individual to a longer period of disqualification from licensure, to be determined by the individual board.

4.3.d. has completed a criminal history records check as prescribed in § 29 of Title 15, Series 1.

4.4. If the pharmacy technician trainee leaves the competency-based pharmacy technician education and training program of a learning institution or training center identified in his or her application, the learning institution or training center shall notify the Board in writing within 30 days that the trainee is no longer enrolled in the program. Upon leaving, the trainee may not continue to work as a trainee.

4.4.a. If the pharmacy technician trainee is transferring from the original pharmacy identified in his or her application as the pharmacy providing an on-the-job, competency-based pharmacy technician training program, the pharmacist-in-charge of that pharmacy shall notify the Board, in writing, within 30 days that the pharmacy technician trainee is no longer working there. The pharmacist-in-charge of the new pharmacy must notify the Board in writing within 30 days of the pharmacy technician trainee starting to work in the new pharmacy, which is providing the on-the-job, competency-based pharmacy technician training program.

4.4.b. Within 12 months of approval of his or her application to begin working as a pharmacy technician trainee in a training program, the pharmacist-in-charge must submit to the Board a certification in the form of an affidavit from the pharmacist-in-charge that the pharmacy technician trainee has adequately completed the training program, or that he or she has failed to complete the training program, whichever is applicable.

4.4.c. A pharmacy technician trainee shall have 90 days from the date of graduation from the competency-based pharmacy technician education and training program of a learning institution or training center, or the date of the certification of completion of the training program by the pharmacist-in-charge, to successfully pass the ExCPT or PTCE national certification examination, obtain certification as a CPhT, and submit this information along with his or her application for registration in this State as a pharmacy technician.

4.4.d. If the pharmacy technician trainee fails to complete the required training program and hours within the 12 months period, the pharmacy technician trainee must cease working in the pharmacy immediately. Provided that, the Board may, upon approval of a petition to the Board by a pharmacy technician trainee:

4.4.d.1. provide an extension of time for completion of the training program upon a showing of special circumstances; or

4.4.d.2. permit a pharmacy technician trainee to begin a training program again with no credit given for any previous hours.

4.4.e. If the pharmacy technician trainee fails to successfully pass the ExCPT or PTCE national certification examination and obtain certification as a CPhT within 90 days from the date of graduation from the competency-based pharmacy technician education and training program of a learning institution or training center, or the date of the certification of completion of the training program by the pharmacist-in-charge, the pharmacy technician trainee shall cease working in the pharmacy immediately until he or she satisfies this requirement. Provided that, the Board may, upon approval of a petition to the Board by a pharmacy technician trainee:

4.4.e.1. provide an extension of time for completion of a personal remediation or re-training program which is presented to the Board with the petition; or

4.4.e.2. permit a pharmacy technician trainee to begin a training program again with no credit given for any previous hours by making a new application to become a pharmacy technician trainee as described in subsection 4.3 above.

4.5. The pharmacist-in-charge of the pharmacy providing on-the-job, competency-based pharmacy technician training program shall document whether or not the pharmacy technician trainee has completed the training program and certify the competency of each technician completing the training. The pharmacist-in-charge shall maintain a written record of the initial training of each pharmacy technician. The written record shall contain the following information:

4.5.a. the name of the person receiving the training;

4.5.b. the date of the training;

4.5.c. a general description of the topics covered;

4.5.d. a statement or statements that certify that the pharmacy technician is competent to perform the duties assigned;

4.5.e. the name of the person supervising the training; and

4.5.f. the signature of the pharmacy technician trainee and the pharmacist-in-charge or other pharmacist employed by the pharmacy and designated by the pharmacist-in-charge as responsible for the training of pharmacy technicians.

W. Va. Code R. § 15-7-4