RE: Confusing NJ Tech Regs

[Guest guest]

Hi Jeanetta,

All NJ techs need to be registered, fingerprinted and licensed with

NJ-BOP. I'm unsure of the actual date for all previously employed

technicians as it has been changed and extended a few times I'm assuming

to accomodate the number of applications they have recieved.

There is NO education requirement. I don't know if you remember, but I

was here complaining about it a few months ago. If you are a working

technician employed in the state of NJ prior to September 2007 there is

ABSOLUTELY NO EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT. THIS INCLUDES A HIGH SCHOOL

DIPLOMA. If you were a HS drop out employed before September 2007 you

just need the license, registration and fingerprinting. If you were

hired after September 2007 you also need a HS diploma or its equivalent.

That makes me believe this whole license, registration and

fingerprinting was another way for our governor to raise revenue to get

the state out of debt. The whole process costs around $200.00 initially

and I believe $75 (that may be the wrong amount) to re-register

annually.

There is a clause in the rules and regulations regarding the pharmacist

to technician ratio. The ratio is 1:2. Several years ago, the board

adopted a new rule that would increase the ratio to 1:3 if at least one

tech was PTCB certified and the other technicians had gone through a

state approved training program and taken a state approved exam. It

looks good on paper but let me remind you, every entity that employs

pharmacy technicians was permitted to create their own training program

and exam. Which means the technicians at Rite Aid are trained

differently than those at Walgreen's and those at a hospital. So each

chain, hospital, mail order facility etc trains and tests their

technicians on what they feel the techs need to know. It's worse than a

bad joke.

On Mon, Aug 4, 2008 at 6:37 AM, Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS Chemistry

wrote:

Dear All,

I found the following on the New Jersey State Board of Pharmacy site:

http://www.state. nj.us/lps/ ca/adoption/ pharado94. htm

<http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/adoption/pharado94.htm>

1. I am a pharmacy technician working in New Jersey. Do I need

to register with the Board?

Not at this time. However, the Board of Pharmacy is in the process of

writing regulations regarding the registration of pharmacy

technicians. It is anticipated that these regulations will be

completed by the second quarter of 2006.

http://www.state. nj.us/lps/ ca/faq/pharmfaq. htm#4

<http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/faq/pharmfaq.htm#4>

I also found that by March 2008 all tech had to be registered and it

has been extended 180 days.

I found NO requirements for school or other training program.

I would like NJ techs to comment please.

, I must have misinterpreted one of your posts to mean that NJ

requires OJT with chain pharmacies. Please comment.

Thanks

Jeanetta

<http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/faq/pharmfaq.htm#4>

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

 

THANK YOU for the update on NJ laws.

 

You KNOW how I feel about the lack of training and varied training. It is BAD,

but it won't be a joke when the med errors hits the fan.

 

I am angry about this too!

 

Thanks so much.

 

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

F/O

Dear All,

I found the following on the New Jersey State Board of Pharmacy site:

http://www.state. nj.us/lps/ ca/adoption/ pharado94. htm

<http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/adoption/pharado94.htm>

1. I am a pharmacy technician working in New Jersey. Do I need

to register with the Board?

Not at this time. However, the Board of Pharmacy is in the process of

writing regulations regarding the registration of pharmacy

technicians. It is anticipated that these regulations will be

completed by the second quarter of 2006.

http://www.state. nj.us/lps/ ca/faq/pharmfaq. htm#4

<http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/faq/pharmfaq.htm#4>

I also found that by March 2008 all tech had to be registered and it

has been extended 180 days.

I found NO requirements for school or other training program.

I would like NJ techs to comment please.

, I must have misinterpreted one of your posts to mean that NJ

requires OJT with chain pharmacies. Please comment.

Thanks

Jeanetta

<http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/faq/pharmfaq.htm#4>

[Guest guest]

WOW! Those NJ regs make no sense at all. Every tech should have at

least a high school diploma. Those high fees? Another way that NJ

makes cash. I'm sure once Pennsylvania decides what to do, fees will

be unreasonable. No reason for it.

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

As I and Jeanetta have been trying to advocate for over a decade now,

that standardized formal education should be mandated in all states

and that this formalized education should be a criteria in the taking

of any national certification exam. Of course that is something that

will not happen any time soon even though we are getting reports of

states making changes, these changes are more about " media hype " than

actual substance.

And truth-be-told, our vocation has become a vast source of revenue

for organizations that pretend to represent our needs and now, even

states as registration generally requires a " fee " and truth-be-told in

many cases to be registered is simply saying that your name was placed

in a database and nothing more.

Joe Medina, CPhT

---------

WOW! Those NJ regs make no sense at all. Every tech should have at

least a high school diploma. Those high fees? Another way that NJ

makes cash. I'm sure once Pennsylvania decides what to do, fees will

be unreasonable. No reason for it.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

The state of Florida with a great deal of media hype announced the

signing by the Governor of a bill that will mandate specific training

for Pharmacy Technician's with registration and licensing becoming a

norm as well.

NPTA announced their hard work in achieving this accomplishment! The new law

does indicate any state approved training program which again simply says that

if Walgreen's trains you to use their computer system, that is considered

training enough.

Joe Medina, CPhT

-----------

....state approved training program and taken a state approved exam. It

looks good on paper but let me remind you, every entity that employs

pharmacy technicians was permitted to create their own training

program and exam. Which means the technicians at Rite Aid are trained

differently than those at Walgreen's and those at a hospital. So each

chain, hospital, mail order facility etc trains and tests their

technicians on what they feel the techs need to know. It's worse than

a bad joke... ( in NJ)

[Guest guest]

Actually, being registered , or licensed, by a state does make a huge

difference regardless of the criteria used to gain this status. It is

much more important than simply having the technicians name placed in

a " database " .

The fact that a technician is registered or licensed gives the state

legal authority and control over pharmacy technicians that it

otherwise would not have. The state can control who can and can not

work as a technician, and also gains the ability to take action

against technicians who do not follow the pharmacy practice act

requirements.

In a state where technicians are unregulated, a technician who is

caught breaking the law (let's say stealing drugs for instance) and

terminated by one employer could simply cross the street and work for

the competitor. In a regulated state, that tech would lose their

ability to work in the pharmacy - and hopefully be prosecuted under

the practice act.

So, regardless of the requirements, registration or licensure is

always preferable in this humble pharmacist's opinion.....

>

> Hi Everyone,

>

> As I and Jeanetta have been trying to advocate for over a decade

now,

> that standardized formal education should be mandated in all states

> and that this formalized education should be a criteria in the

taking

> of any national certification exam. Of course that is something

that

> will not happen any time soon even though we are getting reports of

> states making changes, these changes are more about " media hype "

than

> actual substance.

>

> And truth-be-told, our vocation has become a vast source of revenue

> for organizations that pretend to represent our needs and now, even

> states as registration generally requires a " fee " and truth-be-told

in

> many cases to be registered is simply saying that your name was

placed

> in a database and nothing more.

>

> Joe Medina, CPhT

>

>

> ---------

> WOW! Those NJ regs make no sense at all. Every tech should have at

> least a high school diploma. Those high fees? Another way that NJ

> makes cash. I'm sure once Pennsylvania decides what to do, fees will

> be unreasonable. No reason for it.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Mark,

 

I have to agree that you raise a valid point in that registration allows the

state board of pharmacy of a given state to regulate who works and who does not

based upon criteria/qualifications and the breaking of the pharmacy laws.

 

On another note:

I personally would rather see education and training as specific requirements to

get registered in all states than to see the states have varying methods and

qualifications for registration of technicians.

 

Thank you for posting your well thought out point of view,

 

Respectfully,

 

 

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

Pharm Tech Educator

Founder/Owner

 

  

From: rxfiller57 <founder@...>

Subject: Re: Confusing NJ Tech Regs

Date: Sunday, August 10, 2008, 9:32 PM

Actually, being registered , or licensed, by a state does make a huge

difference regardless of the criteria used to gain this status. It is

much more important than simply having the technicians name placed in

a " database " .

The fact that a technician is registered or licensed gives the state

legal authority and control over pharmacy technicians that it

otherwise would not have. The state can control who can and can not

work as a technician, and also gains the ability to take action

against technicians who do not follow the pharmacy practice act

requirements.

In a state where technicians are unregulated, a technician who is

caught breaking the law (let's say stealing drugs for instance) and

terminated by one employer could simply cross the street and work for

the competitor. In a regulated state, that tech would lose their

ability to work in the pharmacy - and hopefully be prosecuted under

the practice act.

So, regardless of the requirements, registration or licensure is

always preferable in this humble pharmacist's opinion.....

>

> Hi Everyone,

>

> As I and Jeanetta have been trying to advocate for over a decade

now,

> that standardized formal education should be mandated in all states

> and that this formalized education should be a criteria in the

taking

> of any national certification exam. Of course that is something

that

> will not happen any time soon even though we are getting reports of

> states making changes, these changes are more about " media hype "

than

> actual substance.

>

> And truth-be-told, our vocation has become a vast source of revenue

> for organizations that pretend to represent our needs and now, even

> states as registration generally requires a " fee " and

truth-be-told

in

> many cases to be registered is simply saying that your name was

placed

> in a database and nothing more.

>

> Joe Medina, CPhT

>

>

> ---------

> WOW! Those NJ regs make no sense at all. Every tech should have at

> least a high school diploma. Those high fees? Another way that NJ

> makes cash. I'm sure once Pennsylvania decides what to do, fees will

> be unreasonable. No reason for it.

>

>

------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

Hi Rxfiller57,

Of course we are to assume that the state will use " registration " as

the way you indicated and not simply as a way to derive income.

Realize, one thing I inform my students, especially in the Pharmacy

setting and probably even more so in our political system....is to

never assume.

Regardless great posting and good to see a " humble " Pharmacist post!

Joe Medina, CPhT

---------

Actually, being registered , or licensed, by a state does make a huge

difference regardless of the criteria used to gain this status. It is

much more important than simply having the technicians name placed in

a " database " .

The fact that a technician is registered or licensed gives the state

legal authority and control over pharmacy technicians that it

otherwise would not have. The state can control who can and can not

work as a technician, and also gains the ability to take action

against technicians who do not follow the pharmacy practice act

requirements.

In a state where technicians are unregulated, a technician who is

caught breaking the law (let's say stealing drugs for instance) and

terminated by one employer could simply cross the street and work for

the competitor. In a regulated state, that tech would lose their

ability to work in the pharmacy - and hopefully be prosecuted under

the practice act.

So, regardless of the requirements, registration or licensure is

always preferable in this humble pharmacist's opinion.....

[Guest guest]

You do make a valid point. But understand that living in New Jersey

gives one a much different perspective. Maybe it was coincidence that

this law came into effect while Corzine was governor but maybe it

wasn't. He has been very vocal about taxing all walks of life on every

imaginable level to balance the state budget and rid the state of its

deficit. This is the same governor who shut down the Atlantic City

casinos two years ago in July because the state senate did not approve

the budget in time.

Maybe I am just more cynical. And although your point is valid I truly

do not believe that is the reason behind the changes in the law.

On Mon, Aug 11, 2008 at 12:32 AM, rxfiller57 wrote:

Actually, being registered , or licensed, by a state does make a huge

difference regardless of the criteria used to gain this status. It is

much more important than simply having the technicians name placed in

a " database " .

The fact that a technician is registered or licensed gives the state

legal authority and control over pharmacy technicians that it

otherwise would not have. The state can control who can and can not

work as a technician, and also gains the ability to take action

against technicians who do not follow the pharmacy practice act

requirements.

In a state where technicians are unregulated, a technician who is

caught breaking the law (let's say stealing drugs for instance) and

terminated by one employer could simply cross the street and work for

the competitor. In a regulated state, that tech would lose their

ability to work in the pharmacy - and hopefully be prosecuted under

the practice act.

So, regardless of the requirements, registration or licensure is

always preferable in this humble pharmacist's opinion.....

>

> Hi Everyone,

> As I and Jeanetta have been trying to advocate for over a decade

now,

> that standardized formal education should be mandated in all states

> and that this formalized education should be a criteria in the

taking

> of any national certification exam. Of course that is something

that

> will not happen any time soon even though we are getting reports of

> states making changes, these changes are more about " media hype "

than

> actual substance.

> And truth-be-told, our vocation has become a vast source of revenue

> for organizations that pretend to represent our needs and now, even

> states as registration generally requires a " fee " and truth-be-told

in

> many cases to be registered is simply saying that your name was

placed

> in a database and nothing more.

> Joe Medina, CPhT

>

> --------- WOW! Those NJ regs make no sense at all. Every tech should

> have at least a high school diploma. Those high fees? Another way that

> NJ makes cash. I'm sure once Pennsylvania decides what to do, fees

> will be unreasonable. No reason for it.

<mailto: >

[Guest guest]

wow! Beuracracy at it's finest! (or worst)

In a message dated 8/11/2008 7:34:52 A.M. Central Daylight Time,

founder@... writes:

Your point about politicians wanting to collect all the money in tax

and fees they can is also well taken.

I just had to deal with a particuluarly " amusing " situation regrading

this thinking. I graduated from the University of Iowa in 1985 and

promptly upon graduation, moved to Florida. (literally after my last

final I walked out the door and my wife had the kids in the running

car waiting for me and we left town..)

For posterity, maybe more than anything else, in addition to a

Florida license, I also hold an Iowa pharmacist license. I received a

letter last week from the Iowa Department of Revenue demanding to

know why I hold an Iowa Pharmacist license but have not filed an Iowa

tax return for these last years. They not so politely informed me

that if I could not come up with a good explanation, they would

calculate for me what THEY thought I should owe them, apparently

based on what pharmacists make per year in Iowa, I guess.

The worst part is I had to " prove " I didn't owe them taxes,

and " justify " why I held an Iowa license.

I can see your point completely!

> >

> > Hi Everyone,

> > As I and Jeanetta have been trying to advocate for over a decade

> now,

> > that standardized formal education should be mandated in all

states

> > and that this formalized education should be a criteria in the

> taking

> > of any national certification exam. Of course that is something

> that

> > will not happen any time soon even though we are getting reports

of

> > states making changes, these changes are more about " media hype "

> than

> > actual substance.

> > And truth-be-told, our vocation has become a vast source of

revenue

> > for organizations that pretend to represent our needs and now,

even

> > states as registration generally requires a " fee " and truth-be-

told

> in

> > many cases to be registered is simply saying that your name was

> placed

> > in a database and nothing more.

> > Joe Medina, CPhT

> >

> > --------- WOW! Those NJ regs make no sense at all. Every tech

should

> > have at least a high school diploma. Those high fees? Another way

that

> > NJ makes cash. I'm sure once Pennsylvania decides what to do,

fees

> > will be unreasonable. No reason for it.

>

> <mailto:_JeanettasPTCBStudyGJeanettasPTCBStuJean_

(mailto: ) >

>

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

>

**************Looking for a car that's sporty, fun and fits in your budget?

Read reviews on AOL Autos.

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[Guest guest]

Your point about politicians wanting to collect all the money in tax

and fees they can is also well taken.

I just had to deal with a particuluarly " amusing " situation regrading

this thinking. I graduated from the University of Iowa in 1985 and

promptly upon graduation, moved to Florida. (literally after my last

final I walked out the door and my wife had the kids in the running

car waiting for me and we left town..)

For posterity, maybe more than anything else, in addition to a

Florida license, I also hold an Iowa pharmacist license. I received a

letter last week from the Iowa Department of Revenue demanding to

know why I hold an Iowa Pharmacist license but have not filed an Iowa

tax return for these last years. They not so politely informed me

that if I could not come up with a good explanation, they would

calculate for me what THEY thought I should owe them, apparently

based on what pharmacists make per year in Iowa, I guess.

The worst part is I had to " prove " I didn't owe them taxes,

and " justify " why I held an Iowa license.

I can see your point completely!

> >

> > Hi Everyone,

> > As I and Jeanetta have been trying to advocate for over a decade

> now,

> > that standardized formal education should be mandated in all

states

> > and that this formalized education should be a criteria in the

> taking

> > of any national certification exam. Of course that is something

> that

> > will not happen any time soon even though we are getting reports

of

> > states making changes, these changes are more about " media hype "

> than

> > actual substance.

> > And truth-be-told, our vocation has become a vast source of

revenue

> > for organizations that pretend to represent our needs and now,

even

> > states as registration generally requires a " fee " and truth-be-

told

> in

> > many cases to be registered is simply saying that your name was

> placed

> > in a database and nothing more.

> > Joe Medina, CPhT

> >

> > --------- WOW! Those NJ regs make no sense at all. Every tech

should

> > have at least a high school diploma. Those high fees? Another way

that

> > NJ makes cash. I'm sure once Pennsylvania decides what to do,

fees

> > will be unreasonable. No reason for it.

>

> <mailto: >

>

>

>

>