Final Policy and Procedure SubmissionIt is time to synthesize the elements of your Policy and Procedure into a document. Your document should be a 3-4-page paper, written in APA format, which draws up

State Law Requirements

Vondra Wesley

Rasmussen College

Author Note

This paper is being submitted on February 16, 2019, for Stanley Sangar’s Pharmacy Technician Capstone course.

State Law Requirements

The well-being and safety of individual patients and the community are at the center of everyday professional practice and must be your first and continuing concern regardless of your profession. Your actions or behavior has an impact on patient care or public safety. It is required for you to provide a good standard of practice and care to those for whom you are providing professional services. Your purposes should be to promote a healthier lifestyle among the community and individuals, safeguard the well-being of all patients. Acquire the required information to discover a person’s needs and provide appropriate treatment and care. If necessary, refer patients to other health or social care professionals, or other pertinent organizations. Ensure safe access to medicines and reassure their usage. Make an effort to explain to patients how to properly use their medications. Be pleased with the integrity and quality of products supplied to the community. Uphold accurate and adequate records including all relevant information in a clear and understandable form. Confirm you have access to the facilities, equipment, and materials necessary to provide services in accordance with professionally accepted standards.

Practice regular audits and risk assessments to improve the quality of services you provide to minimize risks to the patient and public safety.

Use your professional decision in the interests of patients and the community. Practice balancing the necessities of individuals within society as one. Take into account the targets, guidelines and financial constraints, but do not allow them to alter your ability to make a professional, informed decision on the appropriateness of care for patients in specific circumstances. Always act and take into account the best interests of everyone. Make use of all available sources, healthcare professionals or coworkers. If you feel their difference in opinion can jeopardize the safety of others, be ready to compare your views based on facts against theirs.

Use your professional decision in the interests of patients and the community. Practice balancing the necessities of individuals within society as one. Take into account the targets, guidelines and financial constraints, but do not allow them to alter your ability to make a professional, informed decision on the appropriateness of care for patients in specific circumstances. Always act and take into account the best interests of everyone. Make use of all available sources, healthcare professionals or coworkers. If you feel their difference in opinion can jeopardize the safety of others, be ready to compare your views based on facts against theirs. Your professional judgment should not be based on personal or profitable interests, targets or similar measures. All decisions and recommendations for services or products should be based upon research done on requested services or products that contain the utmost safety and integrity for the patients and the community. Always take notice of whether or not the benefits outweigh the risks. Patient safety should still be first. In case of an emergency, resolve to assist in the best possible action to ensure safety for all. Showing respect for others- is fundamental and appropriate in all professional relationships, relationships with patients, their caretakers or providers, coworkers and other individuals that you come into contact with during your professional practice. Respecting the different ethnicity of others is essential. You must recognize diversity and respect the cultural differences, values, and beliefs of others. Development and usage of your professional knowledge and skills should benefit those who seek your professional services, uphold good professional relationships with others, and act in a way that encourages confidence and trust in the pharmacy professions. The Code of Ethics- is the Society’s core guidance on the conduct, practice and professional performance of professionals in all aspects of the healthcare industry. It is designed to confirm our responsibilities under The Pharmacists, and Pharmacy Technicians Order 2006 and other applicable laws. The principles of the Code guide provide support to the work you do and the decisions you make. They also inform the general public of the ideals of behavior that are expected from the pharmacy profession. The Code is originated on seven principles that express the values central to the identity of the pharmacy professions. The seven principles and their supporting descriptions summarize what it means to be a registered pharmacist or pharmacy technician. Using these principles as part of your professional life will ensure patient safety and public confidence in the profession. Status of the Code of Ethics- Your professional and personal conduct will be judged against the Code. You must abide by its principles irrespective of the job you do. Inappropriate behavior, whether directly or indirectly connected to your professional practice, or failure to comply with the laws identified in the Code, could put your registration at risk. Make the care of patients your first concern - Show respect for others, Treat others politely and considerately. Honor and protect the dignity and privacy of others by always following and practicing the HIPPA Guidelines, Use your professional judgment in the interests of patients and the public. Never allow your views about a person’s lifestyle, beliefs, race, gender, age, sexuality, disability or another perceived status to prejudice their treatment or care. (If you have an objection to providing a particular professional service, ensure that appropriate persons or authorities are informed of this and the patients are referred to alternative sources of the service they require, either by you or by one of your colleagues). Acquire consent for the professional services, treatment or care you provide and the patient information you need to use. The data obtained in the course of professional practice should only be used for the purposes for which it was given. Use all reasonable steps to ensure appropriate levels of privacy for patient consultations. Encourage and practice proper professional boundaries in the relationships you have with patients and other individuals that you come into contact with during your professional practice, especially when dealing with at-risk individuals. Encourage patients to be active in decisions about their care- Patients have a right to be actively involved in decisions about their treatment and care. They should be encouraged to work in partnership with you and other members of the professional team to manage their health care needs. A successful partnership requires effective communication and the ability to identify the individual needs of patients. When possible, work in cooperation with patients, their caregivers, and other health care professionals to manage the patient’s treatment and care. Clarify the options available and assist individuals in making an informed decision about whether or not they wish to use a particular service or treatment option. Listen to patients and attempt to communicate effectively with them. Ensure that, whenever possible, reasonable steps are taken to meet the particular language and communication needs of the patient. Take all reasonable steps to share information that patients or their caregivers want or need in a way that they can understand, and make sure that the information you provide is relevant and up to date. Ensure that information is properly shared with other health care professionals involved in the care of the patient. Respect a patient’s right to refuse to receive treatment, care or other professional services. Consider and, whenever possible take steps to address factors that may prevent or discourage individuals from obtaining or taking their treatment. ("Code of Ethics for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians - CKM PHARMA", 2019) Develop your professional knowledge and competence - Proper management of keeping your knowledge, skills, and performance up to date will ensure they are of high quality, and relevant to your field of practice throughout your working life. Your knowledge will all be evidence-based and relevant to your role and responsibilities. Appropriately apply your knowledge and skills to your professional responsibilities. Observe the limits of your professional competence; practice in those areas in which you are competent and refer to others when necessary. Take on and maintain up-to-date records of continuing professional development corresponding to your field of practice. Reply constructively to the outcomes of assessments, appraisals, and reviews of your professional performance and assume further training where necessary. Practice if you are fit and competent to do so. Promptly state to the Society, your employer and other relevant authorities any circumstances that may call into question. Your fitness to practice or bring the professions into discredit, including ill health that impairs your ability to practice, criminal convictions and findings by other regulatory bodies or organizations. ("Code of Ethics | Alberta College of Pharmacy", 2019) Be honest and trustworthy- Be honest and trustworthy to patient, coworkers and the community because they place their trust in you as a pharmacy professional. You must behave a way that validates this trust and maintains the status of the profession. Maintain public trust and confidence in the professions by acting with honesty and integrity. Do not abuse your professional position for personal gain or exploit the weakness or lack of knowledge of others. Avoid conflicts of interest by announcing any personal or professional interests to those who may be affected. Do not accept gifts, incentives, hospitality or referrals that may affect, or be perceived to disturb your professional judgment. Be accurate and fair about the teaching of others and the sharing of publications or materials of information to ensure that you do not mislead or make claims that cannot be justified. Observe accepted standards of personal and professional conduct. Complied with legal requirements, mandatory professional standards and accepted best practice guidance. Honor commitments, agreements, and arrangements for the provision of professional services. Respond honestly, openly and courteously to complaints and criticism. Take responsibility for your working practices- Team working is the main element of every professional practice and requires respect, co-operation, and communication with colleagues from your profession. When working as part of a team, you continue to be accountable for your own decisions, behavior, or any work done under your supervision. Communication and effective work with your coworkers from your own and other professions enable services to the best interests of patients and the community. Ensure that both you and those you employ or supervise have sufficient language skills to provide the requested services. The sharing of relevant knowledge, skills, and expertise with others and support colleagues and trainees assist in developing their professional competence. Take responsibility for all work done by you or those under your supervision. Ensure that individuals to whom you assign tasks are to be competent and fit to practice and have started, or are in the process of starting the training required for their duties. Be appreciative that appropriate standard operating procedures exist and receive adherence, and that clear lines of accountability and verifiable audit trails are in place. Confirm that you can comply with your legal and professional obligations and that your workload or working conditions do not compromise patient and public safety. Be sure that your actions do not prevent others from complying with their legal and professional obligations, or present a risk to the patient and public safety. Ensure that all professional activities are undertaken by you, or under your control, are covered by professional security arrangements. Be pleased that there is an effective complaints procedure where you work and follow it at all times. Raise concerns if policies, systems, working conditions, or the actions, professional performance or health of others may compromise patient or public safety. Take appropriate action if something goes wrong or if others report concerns to you. Co-operate with investigations into your or another health care professional’s practices and procedures and abide by actions you give or any restrictions placed on your practice. ("Code of Ethics for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians - CKM PHARMA", 2019) The Pharmacy Laws state that All people are to be treated and respected the same. No matter their diversity and cultural differences, values, and beliefs, choice of relationships or language, origins or anything that differentiates us one from another. It is solely based upon the Human Rights Act that states everybody should be treated equally and with dignity and respect. At which no one should receive a denial of any services that are created to serve the various communities as a whole. No one is to be looked upon, degraded or treated inhumanly in any way. As far as about the Pharmacy Practice this is a crucial factor to be practiced because everybody deserves to receive the proper healthcare they may need without the fear of being denied or rejected because of their indifference. A Pharmacy is a place that’s established for all with no form of discrimination allowed. With these laws in effect and being practiced, the proper care and safety of each patient can and will be achieved. No one deserves to be denied treatment, services or proper care. Good customer service and interaction is not just an avenue for business, but it is a proper way of life. Those who are caught or reported for breaking these laws could put their registration, license, and job in jeopardy. Rude, disrespectful or disorderly customers can or will mostly be asked to leave the business establishment. 64B16-27.420 Pharmacy Technician – Delegable Tasks- A pharmacy technician may only assist a pharmacist in executing or carrying out the practice of the profession of pharmacy, but shall never themselves engage in the practice of the profession of pharmacy as defined in Chapter 465, F.S. Therefore, pharmacy technicians may only perform delegable tasks as identified and defined pursuant to this rule. Delegable Tasks – Delegable tasks are those tasks that are performed in an agreement to a pharmacist’s direction, without the practice of the pharmacy technician’s own judgment and discretion, and which do not require the pharmacy technician to implement the independent professional judgment that is the foundation of the practice of the profession of pharmacy. The following tasks are delegable: Data entry; The initiation of communication to confirm the patient’s name, medication, strength, quantity, directions, number of refills, and date of last refill; The initiation of communication with a prescribing practitioner or their agents to obtain clarification on missing or illegible dates, prescriber name, brand or generic preference, quantity, license numbers or DEA registration numbers. The acceptance of authorization to dispense medications pursuant to a prescribing practitioner’s authorization to fill an existing prescription that has no refills remaining (refill authorization). Labeling of preparations and prescriptions; Retrieval of prescription files, patient files and profiles, and other similar records pertaining to the practice of pharmacy; The counting, weighing, measuring, and pouring of prescription medication or stock legend drugs and controlled substances, including the filling of an automated medication system; The receiving, in a permitted nuclear pharmacy, of diagnostic orders only; Participation in a monitoring program to remove deteriorated pharmaceuticals to a quarantine area. Organizing of or participating in continuous quality improvement related events, meetings, or presentations. While under the direct supervision of the pharmacist, performance of any other mechanical, technical or administrative tasks which do not themselves constitute practice of the profession of pharmacy.

(https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?id=64 B16-27.420, n.d.)

References

Code of Ethics for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians - CKM PHARMA. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.ckmpharma.com/code-of-ethics-for-pharmacists-and-pharmacy-technicians/ Code of Ethics | Alberta College of Pharmacy. (2019). Retrieved from https://abpharmacy.ca/code-ethics https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?id=64 B16-27.420.