Pharmacy One Source Survey

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Dear All,

Recall the survey on Pharmacy One Source on CE for Techs vs RPh?

I posted the following comment:

" Author: rxjm2002 (2/26/2006 4:47:32 AM)

Subject: RE: How much higher quality are school-trained technicians

compared to those trained " on the job " ? - Read 0 time(s)

I am a Pharmacy Technician Educator with a FREE PTCB Study Group Site:

In the State of California, most pharmacists are 'spoiled' in that

most want schooled techs. The law provides for registered techs to be

either schooled or PTCB certified. Most pharmacists/ies will not hire

PTCB certified ONLY because they lack hands on training. Those that do

are usually retail.

There is a great advantage in hiring schooled techs:

1.They know basics: calcs, med terminology, Rx abbreviations and LAW

and ethics.

2. RPh/You do not waste time teaching the basics to them.

3. Generally they are in to the work as a career path and more

dedicated than their counter parts of TODAY (can not compare to very

experienced techs who entered the workforce before PTCB or education

was required, as many of them are equally dedicated).

4. Teaching and training schooled techs 'further' on the job concepts

or advanced information is easier and less time consuming as they have

some knowledge and experienced to piggy back onto.

While PTCB self-study techs are easier to train and more knowledgeable

than those who 'walk in off the street', those with formal classroom

education with mock labs and externships to apply all to on the job,

are consistently preferred and make better techs.

Techs that attend schools that require more information that what is

needed in retail settings are providing the minimum information that

techs would need in any given setting so that the graduate could work

in a hospital if desired. This is a sign of a good tech program.

Pharmacy schools for pharmacists should not perpare pharmacists just

for retail instead of for all practice sites.

In my opinion most schools do not teach enough. Teaching techs on the

job is very distracting to pharmacists and techs alike. Teaching

should not be delegated to techs unless they are certified trainers.

Distractions may lead to medication errors. Less training on the job

easier transition from school mock labs to externship practice on the

job equates to less potential for distractions and med errors.

When ALL pharmacists realize that they too need educated assistants as

physicians and nurses have, better healthcare will be provided.

Passing the PTCB is not indicative of the 'capabilities' of a

technician. Assessment of competencies in school, study of

pharmacology, implementation in labs, externships and passing school

finals and PTCB are better indicators. Of course we then have the

exceptions to the rule. But every pharmacist knows one from his or her

alma mater too!

Bottom line: Education is the key to success. IF we measure success by

patient safety then education should be mandatory.

Respectfully,

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS Chemistry

Pharm Tech Educator "

You may find the post at:

http://www.pharmacyonesource.com/members/discussions/thread.asp?board_id=1 & confe\

rence_id=14 & post_id=22496 & thread_id=5450 & item_type_id=2 & item_id=651#pid22496