24 Del. Admin. Code §§ 2500-19.0

Current through Register Vol. 27, No. 12, June 1, 2024

Section 2500-19.0 - Technicians: Qualifications, Training, and Duties

19.1 Qualifications and Training

19.1.1 Pharmacy Technicians shall successfully complete a training program. Training shall begin immediately upon initiation of employment and be completed within 90 days. Once training is commenced the technician in training may work in the pharmacy under the direct supervision of a pharmacist or a trained technician.

19.1.1.1 The permit holder shall ensure that pharmacy technicians successfully complete a training program. Once training has commenced, the technician in training may work in the pharmacy under the direct supervision of a pharmacist. For the purposes of this subsection, "direct supervision" means that a pharmacist is present in the pharmacy at all times.

19.1.1.2 The areas of training required are to be determined by the pharmacist-in-charge and will be appropriate to the practice site and responsibilities assigned to the technicians. Training should be in the following areas:

19.1.1.2.1 General drug and dosage form knowledge;

19.1.1.2.2 Medical terminology;

19.1.1.2.3 Pharmaceutical calculations;

19.1.1.2.4 Prescription labeling requirements;

19.1.1.2.5 General filling/dispensing responsibilities;

19.1.1.2.6 Patient profile record system requirements;

19.1.1.2.7 Requirements for patient counseling;

19.1.1.2.8 Confidentiality;

19.1.1.2.9 Safety practices;

19.1.1.2.10 Inventory functions;

19.1.1.2.11 Knowledge of applicable State and Federal Statutes and Regulations;

19.1.1.2.12 Other site-specific parameters.

19.1.1.3 The general content of the training program must be maintained in the policy and procedure manual.

19.1.1.4 Documentation of successful training in specific areas by oral or written evaluation will be maintained and will be available for inspection by the Board of Pharmacy.

19.1.1.5 Supervision. Pharmacy technicians must be supervised by a registered pharmacist who will be responsible for the activities of the pharmacy technicians.

19.1.2 Certified pharmacy technicians must successfully pass the PTCB Exam or other national technician certification exam approved by the Board of Pharmacy. Only certified pharmacy technicians or those individuals approved pursuant to subsection 19.1.2.1 may assist the pharmacist by reconstituting oral solutions and contacting the prescriber or their agent to obtain refill authorization or other patient or prescription information of a non-clinical nature, or assisting the pharmacist with compounding.

19.1.2.1 A pharmacy technician completing a training program approved by the Board in lieu of passing the PTCB exam or passing a national certification program may perform the functions of a certified technician except for the administration of adult immunizations as set forth in subsection 19.2.3. Approval to perform the functions of the certified technician is limited to the approved setting and is not transferable to any other facility.

19.2 Allowed Activities

19.2.1 Except in emergency situations for short periods where staff is unavailable only pharmacy technicians and certified pharmacy technicians may assist the pharmacist or deliver prescriptions in the pharmacy to a patient or the patient's agent.

19.2.2 Pharmacy technicians and certified pharmacy technicians may carry out any pharmacy-related duty assigned to them by their supervising pharmacist except for those activities specifically excluded by 24 Del.C. §§ 2507(b) and 2502(19).

19.2.3 A certified pharmacy technician, who is certified by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), the National Health career Association (NHA), or other national entity approved by the Board, may administer adult immunizations under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist who is approved for injectable administration as set forth in Section 14.0. For the purposes of this subsection, "direct supervision" means oversight and control by a licensed pharmacist who remains on the premises and is responsible for the work performed by the certified pharmacy technician.

19.2.3.1 Educational Requirements

19.2.3.1.1 In order to administer adult immunizations, a certified pharmacy technician must complete a Board approved academic and hands-on practical curriculum and maintain a current Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate acceptable to the Board of Pharmacy. CPR certification must be obtained through a CPR course for health care providers and the course must have a hands-on, skills check component.

19.2.3.1.2 An approved academic and practical curriculum includes, but is not limited to, disease epidemiology, vaccine characteristics, injection technique, emergency response to adverse events, and related topics.

19.2.3.2 A certified pharmacy technician may only administer adult immunizations consistent with public health and safety and in a competent manner consistent with the academic curriculum and training completed.

19.2.3.3 Continued competency shall be maintained and available for Board inspection.

19.2.3.3.1 A minimum of two hours of continuing education every two years for certified pharmacy technicians must be dedicated to this area of practice.

19.2.3.4 Practice Requirements

19.2.3.4.1 The certified pharmacy technician, before administering an adult immunization, may assist the patient with pre-immunization paperwork.

19.2.3.4.2 The certified pharmacy technician must verify documentation for all adult immunizations administered and such documentation shall be available for inspection by the Board of Pharmacy. Documentation shall include:

19.2.3.4.2.1 Patient's name, address, phone number, date of birth, and gender.

19.2.3.4.2.2 Adult vaccine administered, expiration date, lot number, method of administration, dose administered.

19.2.3.4.2.3 Date of original order and the date of administration.

19.2.3.4.2.4 The name of the prescribing practitioner, where applicable, and the certified pharmacy technician administering the dose.

19.2.3.5 The certified pharmacy technician must provide documentation to each person receiving adult immunizations and must report to the Immunization Vaccination Registry.

24 Del. Admin. Code §§ 2500-19.0

13 DE Reg. 506 (10/01/09)
13 DE Reg. 1581 (06/01/10)
21 DE Reg. 989 (6/1/2018)
26 DE Reg. 64 (7/1/2022)
26 DE Reg. 768 (3/1/2023) (Final)