Oregon Scorecard

Grading Scale:
A – 85-100%, B – 70-84.9%, C – 55-69.9%, D – 40-54.9%, F – 0-39.9%

Grading Categories & Criteria

Oregon Law

I. Laws
OREGON STATE PHARMACY STATUTES
http://landru.leg.state.or.us/ors/689.html

689.005 Definitions. As used in this chapter:
(27) “Pharmacy technician” means a person licensed by the State Board of Pharmacy who assists the pharmacist in the practice of pharmacy pursuant to rules of the board.
689.225 License requirement; exceptions; possession of drugs; regulation of pharmacy technicians; rules; penalty. (1) A person may not engage in the practice of pharmacy unless the person is licensed under this chapter. Nothing in this section prevents physicians, dentists, veterinarians, osteopaths or other practitioners of the healing arts who are licensed under the laws of this state from dispensing and administering prescription drugs to their patients in the practice of their respective professions where specifically authorized to do so by law of this state.

(2) A person may not take, use or exhibit the title of pharmacist or the title of druggist or apothecary, or any other title or description of like import unless the person is licensed to practice pharmacy under this chapter.

(3) A pharmacist may not possess personally or store drugs other than in a licensed pharmacy except for those drugs legally prescribed for the personal use of the pharmacist or when the pharmacist possesses or stores the drugs in the usual course of business and within the pharmacist’s scope of practice. An employee, agent or owner of any registered manufacturer, wholesaler or pharmacy may lawfully possess legend drugs if the person is acting in the usual course of the business or employment of the person.

(4) The State Board of Pharmacy shall adopt rules relating to the use of pharmacy technicians working under the supervision, direction and control of a pharmacist. For retail and institutional drug outlets, the board shall adopt rules which include requirements for training, including provisions for appropriate on-the-job training, guidelines for adequate supervision, standards and appropriate ratios for the use of pharmacy technicians. Improper use of pharmacy technicians is subject to the reporting requirements of ORS 689.455.

(5) The mixing of intravenous admixtures by pharmacy technicians working under the supervision, direction and control of a pharmacist is authorized and does not constitute the practice of pharmacy by the pharmacy technicians.

(6) Any person who is found to have unlawfully engaged in the practice of pharmacy is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. [1979 c.777 §21; 1983 c.402 §3; 1985 c.565 §104; 1989 c.608 §2; 1997 c.729 §2; 2001 c.278 §1; 2009 c.326 §3]
PHARMACY TECHNICIANS

689.486 When license required; qualifications for licensure; renewal; supervision required. (1) It shall be unlawful for any person to perform the duties of a pharmacy technician or use the title of pharmacy technician unless licensed to do so under the provisions of this chapter.

(2) To be licensed to perform the duties of a pharmacy technician, a person shall:
(a) Submit a license application in the manner prescribed by the State Board of Pharmacy; and
(b) Pay the license fee established by the board.

(3) The license application prescribed by the board shall include, but not be limited to:
(a) The name and address of the applicant;
(b) The educational qualifications of the applicant;
(c) The work history of the applicant; and
(d) The applicant’s criminal offender record of any conviction or of any arrest less than one year old on which there has been no acquittal or dismissal.

(4) A license under this section expires annually. To renew a license to perform the duties of a pharmacy technician, a person shall:
(a) Submit the application for renewal of a license in the form prescribed by the board;
(b) Pay the license renewal fee established by the board;
(c) Pay the fee for delinquent license renewal, if applicable;
(d) Provide updated information regarding educational qualifications, work history and criminal arrest and conviction history; and
(e) Comply with all other requirements for license renewal established by the board.

(5) No person may employ an individual to perform the duties of a pharmacy technician unless the individual is licensed to perform the duties of a pharmacy technician under this chapter.

(6) A person licensed to perform the duties of a pharmacy technician may perform the duties of a pharmacy technician only under the supervision, direction and control of a licensed pharmacist. [1997 c.729 §6; 2001 c.595 §2; 2005 c.313 §7]

689.499 Pharmacy technician specialized education program; rules.
(1)(a) The State Board of Pharmacy may by rule identify activities performed by a pharmacy technician for which a specialized education program may be required.
(b) If the board identifies an activity requiring specialized education under this subsection, the board shall approve no fewer than two specialized education programs to provide the specialized education.
(c) Upon receipt of evidence satisfactory to the board that a pharmacy technician has satisfactorily completed a specialized education program approved by the board, the board shall note the specialized education on the license of the pharmacy technician.

(2) The board may establish standards for renewal or revocation of a notation of specialized education under this section.

(3) As used in this section, “specialized education program” means:
(a) A program providing education for persons desiring licensure as pharmacy technicians that is approved by the board and offered by an accredited college or university that grants a two-year degree upon successful completion of the program; or
(b) A structured program approved by the board and designed to educate pharmacy technicians in one or more specific issues of patient health and safety that is offered by:
(A) An organization recognized by the board as representing pharmacists or pharmacy technicians;
(B) An employer recognized by the board as representing pharmacists or pharmacy technicians; or
(C) A trade association recognized by the board as representing pharmacies. [2005 c.313 §16]

OREGON STATE PHARMACY RULES
http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/pages/rules/oars_800/oar_855/855_025.html
855-006-0005

Definitions
(1) “Certified Pharmacy Technician” means a person licensed by the State Board of Pharmacy who assists the pharmacist in the practice of pharmacy pursuant to rules of the Board and has completed the specialized education program pursuant to OAR 855-025-0005. Persons used solely for clerical duties, such as recordkeeping, cashiering, bookkeeping and delivery of medications released by the pharmacist are not considered pharmacy technicians.
(18) “Pharmacy Technician” means a person licensed by the State Board of Pharmacy who assists the pharmacist in the practice of pharmacy pursuant to rules of the Board but has not completed the specialized education program pursuant to OAR855-025-0010.
855-025-0001

Transition from Registration of Technician to Licensure of Technician
(1) Effective June 28, 2005, pharmacy technicians ceased to be registered and became licensed. As part of licensure, pharmacy technicians are now subject to disciplinary action by the Board and subject to specialized education and training requirements established by the Board. This rule provides a framework for the transition from registration to licensure.
(2) The existing Board file containing information on each registered pharmacy technician or applicant for registration as a pharmacy technician remains in effect when the registration program transitions to a licensure program. Pharmacy technicians and applicants need not resubmit application material or other information to the Board because of the transition to licensure unless the Board specifically requests resubmission. Complaints, investigations, renewal information, criminal history information and registration history information remain in effect and carry over into the licensing history for each pharmacy technician or applicant.
Stat. Auth.: 689.205
Stats. Implemented: 689.225
Hist.: BP 8-2005, f. 12-14-05, cert. ef. 12-15-05; BP 1-2006, f. & cert. ef. 6-9-06
855-025-0005

Qualifications for Licensure as a Pharmacy Technician or Certified Pharmacy Technician
(1) Effective August 1, 2006, to qualify for licensure as a certified pharmacy technician, an applicant must demonstrate that the applicant is or will be at least 18 years of age and holds or will hold a high school diploma or GED at the time the Board issues the license.
(2) No person whose license to practice as a pharmacist has been denied, revoked, suspended or restricted by the Board may be licensed as a pharmacy technician or certified pharmacy technician unless the Board determines that licensure will pose no danger to patients or to the public interest.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 689.205
Stats. Implemented: ORS 689.155
Hist.: BP 1-2006, f. & cert. ef. 6-9-06
855-025-0010

Renewal of Licensure as a Pharmacy Technician Requires Certification
(1) The purpose of this rule is to ensure that all pharmacy technicians in Oregon become certified pharmacy technicians by passing a certification examination accepted by the Board. This rule requires all current pharmacy technicians to become certified by October 1, 2008, and gives all new pharmacy technicians until October 1, 2008, one year after initial licensure, or prior to the pharmacy technician’s 19th birthday, whichever is later, to obtain certification.
(2) The license of a pharmacy technician expires one year from the date upon which it is issued, and may be renewed only if:
(a) The applicant has become certified by taking and passing one of the examinations described in section three or
(b) The applicant is less than 18 years of age.
(3) For any pharmacy technician license that expires on or after September 30, 2008, an applicant to renew a pharmacy technician license must demonstrate that the applicant for renewal has taken and passed the national pharmacy technician certification examination given by either:
(a) The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) or
(b) The Institute for the Certification of Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT).
(4) The license of a certified pharmacy technician expires on September 30 of each year and must be renewed annually.
(5) Notwithstanding any other provision of these rules, a pharmacy technician who is less than 18 years of age need not take and pass a certified pharmacy technician examination.
(6) Applicants for licensure or renewal of licensure as a pharmacy technician must submit to a criminal background check.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 689.205
Stats. Implemented: ORS 689.155
Hist.: BP 1-2006, f. & cert. ef. 6-9-06
855-025-0015

Renewal of Licensure as a Certified Pharmacy Technician
(1) Licensed pharmacy technicians who have taken and passed a certification examination listed in OAR 855-025-0010(3) may use the title “certified pharmacy technician,” are referred to in these rules as a “certified pharmacy technician,” and are licensed as a “certified pharmacy technician.”
(2) An applicant for renewal of a certified pharmacy technician license must:
(a) Maintain certification by one of the organizations listed in OAR 855-025-0010(3) and
(b) During each period from September 1 through August 31, complete and report at least one hour of pharmacy law, appropriate to the applicant’s work setting and functions. Fifty minutes equal one contact hour.
(c) Submit to a criminal background check.
(3) The Board may randomly select and audit applications for renewal to verify completion of the continuing education reported on the application for renewal. Certified pharmacy technicians whose applications for renewal are selected for audit must provide documentation of completion of the continuing education reported.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 689.205
Stats. Implemented: ORS 689.155
Hist.: BP 1-2006, f. & cert. ef. 6-9-06
855-025-0025

Use of Pharmacy Technicians and Certified Pharmacy Technicians
(1) A pharmacist or pharmacy may use pharmacy technicians and certified pharmacy technicians only as authorized by the rules of the Board.
(2) Pharmacy technicians and certified pharmacy technicians must be supervised by a pharmacist.
(3) Pharmacists, pharmacist interns, pharmacy technicians and certified pharmacy technicians must be clearly identified as such to the public.
(4) Work performed by pharmacy technicians and certified pharmacy technicians assisting the pharmacist to prepare medications must be verified by a pharmacist prior to release for patient use. Verification must be documented, available and consistent with the standard of practice.
(5) The pharmacist-in-charge must prepare and maintain in the pharmacy written procedures that describe the tasks performed by pharmacy technicians and certified pharmacy technicians, and the methods of verification and documentation of work performed by pharmacy technicians and certified pharmacy technicians. Written procedures must be available for inspection by the Board or its representatives. The pharmacist-in-charge must review written procedures annually and document that review on the annual pharmacist-in-charge inspection sheet.
(6) Training:
(a) The pharmacist-in charge must outline, and each pharmacy technician and certified pharmacy technician must complete initial training that includes on-the-job and related education commensurate with the tasks that the pharmacy technician or certified pharmacy technician will perform, prior to the performance of those tasks.
(b) The pharmacist-in-charge must ensure the continuing competency of pharmacy technicians and certified pharmacy technicians.
(c) The pharmacist-in-charge must document initial training of each pharmacy technician and certified pharmacy technician and make that documentation available to the Board or its representatives upon request.
(7) Upon written request, the Board may waive any of the requirements of this rule upon a showing that a waiver will further public health or safety or the health or safety of a patient or other person. A waiver granted under this section is effective only when issued by the Board in writing.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 689.205
Stats. Implemented: ORS 689.155
Hist.: BP 1-2006, f. & cert. ef. 6-9-06
855-025-0035

Pharmacy and Pharmacist Responsibility for Supervising Pharmacy Technicians and Certified Pharmacy Technicians
(1) The supervising pharmacist and the pharmacist-in-charge are responsible for the actions of pharmacy technicians and certified pharmacy technicians. The use of pharmacy technicians or certified pharmacy technicians to perform tasks not included in written procedures maintained by the pharmacy constitutes unprofessional conduct on the part of the supervising pharmacist and the pharmacist-in-charge.
(2) The pharmacy must maintain on file and post the current license of each pharmacy technician and certified pharmacy technician.
(3) Before allowing any person to work as a pharmacy technician or certified pharmacy technician, the pharmacy and pharmacist shall verify that the person is currently licensed as a pharmacy technician or certified pharmacy technician.
(4) Prior to performing the duties of a pharmacy technician or a certified pharmacy technician, a person must provide to the pharmacist or pharmacist-in-charge a copy of the person’s current pharmacy technician license or a current certified pharmacy technician license.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 689.205
Stats. Implemented: ORS 689.155
Hist.: BP 1-2006, f. & cert. ef. 6-9-06
855-025-0040

Certified Pharmacy Technician and Pharmacy Technician Tasks and Guidelines
(1) Non-licensed pharmacy personnel may enter non-prescription information into a computer record system and may perform clerical duties such as filing prescriptions, delivery, housekeeping, and general record keeping, but the responsibility for the accuracy of the non-licensed pharmacy personnel’s work lies with the pharmacist.
(2) Only persons licensed with the Board as a Pharmacy Technician or Certified Pharmacy Technician, acting in compliance with all applicable statutes and rules and under the supervision of a pharmacist, may assist in the practice of pharmacy by the following:
(a) Packing, pouring or placing in a container for dispensing, sale, distribution, transfer possession of, any drug, medicine, poison, or chemical which, under the laws of the United States or the State of Oregon, may be sold or dispensed only on the prescription of a practitioner authorized by law to prescribe drugs, medicines, poisons, or chemicals.
(b) Reconstituting prescription medications. The supervising pharmacist must verify the accuracy in all instances.
(c) Affixing required labels upon any container of drugs, medicines, poisons, or chemicals sold or dispensed upon prescription of a practitioner authorized by law to prescribe those drugs, medicines, poisons, or chemicals.
(d) Entering information into the pharmacy computer. The pharmacy technician or certified pharmacy technician shall not make any decisions that require the exercise of judgment and that could affect patient care. The supervising pharmacist must verify prescription information entered into the computer and is responsible for all aspects of the data and data entry.
(e) Initiating or accepting oral or electronic refill authorization from a practitioner or practitioner’s agent, provided that nothing about the prescription is changed, and record the medical practitioner’s name and medical practitioner’s agent’s name, if any;
(f) Prepackaging and labeling of multi-dose and unit-dose packages of medication. The pharmacist must establish the procedures, including selection of containers, labels and lot numbers, and must verify the accuracy of the finished task.
(g) Picking doses for unit dose cart fill for a hospital or for a nursing home patient. The pharmacist must verify the accuracy of the finished task.
(h) Checking nursing units in a hospital or nursing home for nonjudgmental tasks such as sanitation and out of date medication. Any problems or concerns shall be documented and initialed by a pharmacist.
(i) Recording patient or medication information in computer systems for later verification by the pharmacist.
(j) Bulk Compounding. Solutions for small-volume injectables, sterile irrigating solutions, products prepared in relatively large volume for internal or external use by patients, and reagents or other products for the pharmacy or other departments of a hospital. The supervising pharmacist must verify the accuracy in all instances.
(k) Preparation of parenteral products as follows:
(A) Performing functions involving reconstitution of single or multiple dosage units that are to be administered to a given patient as a unit. The supervising pharmacist must verify the accuracy in all instances.
(B) Performing functions involving the addition of one manufacturer’s single dose or multiple unit doses of the same product to another manufacturer’s prepared unit to be administered to a patient. The supervising pharmacist must verify the accuracy in all instances.
(l) Performing related activities approved in writing by the Board.
(3) In order to protect the public, safety, health and welfare, pharmacy technicians or certified pharmacy technicians shall not:
(a) Communicate or accept by oral communication a new or transferred prescription of any nature;
(b) Receive or transfer a prescription to another pharmacy without the prior verification of a pharmacist.
(c) Provide a prescription or medication to a patient without a pharmacist’s verification of the accuracy of the dispensed medication;
(d) Counsel a patient on medications or perform a drug utilization review;
(e) Perform any task that requires the professional judgment of a pharmacist; or
(f) Engage in the practice of pharmacy as defined in ORS 689.015.
Stat. Auth.: ORS 689.205
Stats. Implemented: ORS 689.155
Hist.: BP 1-2006, f. & cert. ef. 6-9-06

The data contained in this 2012 Annual Scorecard are accurate as of December 2012 .  Because statutes and regulations are continually revised, the data are subject to change.  These data have been verified with the state board of pharmacy.  This scorecard is updated on an annual basis in order to incorporate statutory and regulatory changes.  A new scorecard will be issued in July 2013.

Scoring rationale for Education and Training:
In order to protect the public and help ensure patient safety, it is important that pharmacy technicians are properly educated and trained.  The most rigorous training is accredited training.  The sole entity empowered to accredit pharmacy-technician training programs is the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).  Please note that this is “programmatic accreditation” – not “institutional accreditation.”  It is the content of the training program – as measured against established standards – that is being evaluated and accredited.  Accredited training is vital to protecting patient safety because it means that a pharmacy-technician training program has met established quality standards to provide assurance and confidence to the public.  For more information, please see http://www.ashp.org/menu/Accreditation/TechnicianAccreditation.aspx.

Scoring rationale for Certification:
Certification is the process by which a nongovernmental agency or association grants recognition to an individual who has met certain predetermined qualifications specified by that agency or association.  This is often determined by an examination process.  Numerous organizations have recommended that the certification exam conducted by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) should be recognized as the sole, nationally-accredited certification exam for pharmacy technician certification – including the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP), the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). In a recent report, NABP recommended that states be encouraged to “recognize certification by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB).” Moreover, NABP performed a psychometric audit of the PTCB’s pharmacy technician certification examination (PTCE) in 2001 and determined that the PTCE is psychometrically sound, defensible, and valid. In May 2010, the TSBP awarded the PTCB with the Pharmacy Technician Certification Provider contract in Texas. PTCB was selected for the contract after a rigorous bidding and evaluation process that included formal reviews and evaluations from three independent psychometricians. TSBP confidently recognizes PTCB as the single provider of certification examinations for pharmacy technicians. In addition, in June 2010, the VA began requiring PTCB certification for VA pharmacy technicians employed at grade GS-6 and above.

Scoring rationale for Registration/Licensure:
Registration/licensure is the process by which the state maintains a list of all pharmacy technicians in the state and grants permission for an individual to work as a pharmacy technician in the state based on the applicant’s completion of all pre-requisites to registration/licensure – such as required training and certification.

Scoring rationale for Continuing Education:
Continuing education enables pharmacy technicians to fulfill their professional responsibility to maintain competence and up-to-date knowledge and skills in an environment of technological advances and increasingly complex, new medications and therapies.