NATIONAL CERTIFICATE IN
PHARMACY TECHNICIAN
WELCOME TO OPEN POLYTECHNIC Whether you are looking to improve your career prospects or want to learn something new, we can help you achieve your goal. We specialise in open learning – learning that gives you more freedom to decide what you study and where you study. Our courses are specifically designed for delivery by distance, which means you can fit your study around your life. And just because you are learning by distance, doesn’t mean you have to do it alone. You will have access to your tutors and lecturers by email or phone and to other students studying the same course through the Online Campus, the student support section of our website. It is our goal to make sure that you enjoy your study and that you succeed. So welcome to learning for today’s world, and congratulations on taking up the challenge of further education.
Please note that all information contained in this brochure may be subject to change without notice.
CONTENTS Your options in Pharmacy
2
Introduction 2 National Certificate in Pharmacy (Technician) (version 7) 3 Unit standards General information Study time
5 8 8
Fees 8 Loans, allowances and other funding
8
Overseas-based students
8
Enrolment 8 Recognition of prior learning
8
Learning support
9
New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) – record of achievement
9
Further study
9
Pharmacist verification of work-based tasks
10
National Certificate in Pharmacy Technician – Pharmacist Verifier Form
11
1
YOUR OPTIONS IN PHARMACY WHAT ARE MY NEEDS?
SUGGESTED QUALIFICATION
LEVEL OF STUDY
A qualification to allow me to work as a technician in a pharmacy
National Certificate in Pharmacy (Technician)
5
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS To study for this certificate you must: · Be employed as a trainee technician in a community or hospital pharmacy in New Zealand · Be working in the dispensary for at least 20 hours a week · Be registered as a trainee technician with the Pharmacy Industry Training Organisation (PITO) · Have some basic skills in English language, communication and mathematics · Hold a current first aid certificate.
INTRODUCTION The National Certificate in Pharmacy (Technician) is made up of pharmacy-specific unit standards that are registered on the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) framework. This qualification was revised to version 7 in 2008.
2
NATIONAL CERTIFICATE IN PHARMACY (TECHNICIAN) (VERSION 7) Qualification code: NC5501 Level: 5 Credits: 139 (community strand), 131 (hospital strand) QUALIFICATION This qualification is for people working as technicians in community or hospital pharmacies. It enables you to integrate on-the-job learning and experience with relevant theory and knowledge. It is based on a series of Level 2 to Level 5 pharmacy-specific unit standards. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN When you finish the qualification you will have: · knowledge of the relevant legislation to safely dispense presciptions under the supervision of a pharmacist · knowledge of the actions and effects of medicines in the body to enable you to give advice, as a pharmacy technician, on the use of medicines · improved communication and self-management skills so you can work effectively and professionally as part of the pharmacy team · technical expertise to help your pharmacist give clients appropriate pharmaceutical products, care and services · training to compound non-aseptic products, under supervision · experience in administering systems and procedures in the pharmacy so that it runs smoothly and is maintained properly.
Note: Technicians working in a dispensary are required by law to either hold a recognised technician qualification, or be actively studying towards such a qualification.
3
QUALIFICATION STRUCTURE To earn your National Certificate in Pharmacy (Technician) you must finish: · the core set of pharmacy unit standards · the pharmacy unit standards in either the community or the hospital strand · a minimum of 10 further credits which you choose from units in the NZQA pharmacy services domain. A suggested study pathway through the qualification is set out in the diagram below. For information on the individual unit standards and their credit values see pages 5–6. QUALIFICATION PATHWAY FOR TECHNICIANS YEAR ONE 51 CREDITS *23675 Provide written/oral advicetechnician 23681 Demonstrate professionalism 23682 Conversions/calculations 23658 Dose forms 9642 Legislation (technician) 23676 Manage stock as a technician 9651 Apply procedures for dealing with hazards 23673 Knowledge of nutrition 9649 Dispense prescriptions and orders 23672 Drug dosing/action/effects
YEAR TWO MINIMUM OF 40 CREDITS 9647 Non-aseptic compounding 23657 Provide advice on dispensed medicines
YEAR THREE REMAINING CREDITS Pharmacology units (those remaining from year two) 9647 (if not done in year two) 23657 (if not done in year two)
PHARMACOLOGY UNITS (THESE TOTAL 52 CREDITS) 25261 Pharmacology of human nervous & endocrine systems
CORE COMPULSORY FOR EITHER COMMUNITY OR HOSPITAL STRAND
25262 Pharmacology of human cardiovascular and respiratory systems
Community 9643 Advise on minor health disorders
25263 Pharmacology of human digestive, reproductive and urinary systems
Hospital 23677 Knowledge of ward medicine management
25264 Pharmacology of human musculoskeletal & integumentary systems and eye & ear 25265 Pharmacology of human immune system & malignant disease
23678 Knowledge and apply repacking ELECTIVE UNITS A minimum of 10 credits from the Pharmacy domain - see list of units currently registered on page 6
23669 Knowledge of pathogens, infections & anti-infective therapy
Notes: *You need to enrol in unit 23675 first to be supplied with supporting materials. The units listed in years one and two are compulsory core units, to be completed by all technicians. You must enrol in the year one units in following order: Units 23675, 23681, 23682, 23658, 9642, 23676, 9651, 23673, 9649, 23672. Note: You must finish units 23675 and 23682 before you can enrol in 9649. After completing the year one units listed above, you can enrol in year two units. Your first pharmacology unit to study must be unit 25261. You need access to the set text (Marieb) to do the pharmacology units (refer to set texts on page 7). You can choose to study unit 9647 in either year two or three. This unit has a workshop option (offered in June and November at Auckland or Otago Schools of Pharmacy). You must be enrolled in unit 9647 at least three months before the workshop if you wish to attend. If you choose not to attend a workshop you will complete further tasks and have a practical assessment at your workplace. Contact the pharmacy department when you enrol in 9647 for more information. 4
Unit standards *See notes on page 4 COMPULSORY UNITS FOR ALL TECHNICIAN TRAINEES UNIT STANDARD
TITLE
LEVEL
CREDITS 5
9642
Apply legislation, codes, and standards to the supply of products and services as a pharmacy technician
4
9647
Compound non-aseptic pharmaceutical products under the supervision of a pharmacist
5
8
9649
Dispense prescriptions and pharmaceutical orders under supervision
5
20
9651
Apply procedures for handling hazardous substances as a pharmacy technician
3
2
23657
Provide advice on the use of dispensed medicines as a pharmacy technician
5
3
23658
Demonstrate knowledge of pharmaceutical dose forms and accessories
4
4
23669
Demonstrate knowledge, as a pharmacy technician, of pathogens, infections, and antiinfective therapy
5
6
23672
Demonstrate knowledge, as a pharmacy technician, of drug dosing, action, adverse effects, and misuse and dependence
4
5
23673
Demonstrate knowledge of human nutrition and nutritional states as a pharmacy assistant or pharmacy technician
2
2
23675
Provide written and oral advice as a pharmacy technician
3
3
23676
Manage stock within a pharmacy as a pharmacy technician
4
2
23681
Demonstrate professionalism as a pharmacy assistant or pharmacy technician
3
5
23682
Make conversions and perform calculations for compounding and dispensing as a pharmacy technician
4
3
25261
Demonstrate knowledge of pharmacology of human nervous system and endocrine system
5
10
25262
Demonstrate knowledge of pharmacology of human cardiovascular system and respiratory system
5
10
25263
Demonstrate knowledge of pharmacology of human digestive system, reproductive system, and urinary system
5
9
25264
Demonstrate knowledge of pharmacology of human musculoskeletal system, integumentary system and eye and ear
5
9
25265
Demonstrate knowledge of pharmacology of human immune system and malignant disease
5
8
LEVEL
CREDITS
3
15
LEVEL
CREDITS
COMMUNITY STRAND UNIT STANDARD 9643
TITLE Advise pharmacy clients on treatment of minor health disorders
HOSPITAL STRAND UNIT STANDARD
TITLE
23677
Demonstrate knowledge of, and carry out, ward medicine management
5
4
23678
Demonstrate knowledge of, and apply procedures for, repacking as a pharmacy technician
4
3
5
ELECTIVE UNITS You must complete at least 10 credits from the pharmacy domain, in addition to the compulsory unit standards. UNIT STANDARD
TITLE
LEVEL
CREDITS
23679
Demonstrate knowledge of and apply pharmacy procedures for compliance packaging
5
2
23680
Demonstrate knowledge of and apply procedures for patient medicine discharge
3
2
23683
Demonstrate knowledge, as a pharmacy technician, of parenteral nutrition
5
4
23654
Compound aseptic products under pharmacist supervision
5
5
23655
Compound cytotoxic products under pharmacist supervision
5
5
9645
Advise pharmacy clients on personal health care and products to maintain optimal health
3
4
9646
Advise pharmacy clients on eye-care products
3
2
9653
Advise pharmacy clients on nutritional & dietary requirements for optimal health
3
2
9654
Advise pharmacy clients on the treatment and prevention of minor injuries
3
2
9655
Advise pharmacy clients on the management of minor wounds
3
2
9657
Advise pharmacy clients on the management of infectious diseases/ parasitic conditions
3
3
Other units will be developed and added to this domain over time. These additions will mean if you are a qualified technician interested in continuing your professional development you will be able to pick up relevant individual units in your specific area of practice. ASSESSMENT Your pharmacist will be your on-the-job mentor for practical training and will verify some of your work practices. Open Polytechnic is responsible for the theory training and for assessing your competence as you work through the qualification. The Pharmacy Industry Training Organisation (PITO) will liaise with your pharmacist and will moderate the training to make sure the same standards are maintained throughout New Zealand. They also maintain a register of technicians under training and those who hold the National Certificate. You will need to identify your pharmacist verifier when you register with PITO as a trainee technician. Further information for pharmacist verifiers is on pages 10–11 of this brochure. The certificate is competency based. You will be assessed in a number of ways including: · observation and verification of work-based tasks by your pharmacist · progress checks during the training qualification · collection of evidence by you and your pharmacist about your competence · written and oral assessment · practical assessment in the workplace by an Open Polytechnic pharmacist assessor (unit 9649) · assessment at a practical workshop (unit 9647) or option of workplace assessment · for unit 23682, an assessment will need to be completed under formal exam conditions in your workplace, supervised by your pharmacist.
6
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS To study for this certificate you must: · be employed as a trainee technician in a community or hospital pharmacy in New Zealand · be working in the dispensary for at least 20 hours a week · be registered as a trainee technician with the Pharmacy Industry Training Organisation (PITO). We will advise you how to register when you apply to enrol online · have some basic skills in English language, communication and mathematics · hold a current first aid certificate. The workplace requirements are because the qualification includes practical assessments which need to be undertaken in a pharmacy and verified by your supervising pharmacist. You will need NCEA Level 2 or equivalent in English. If English is your second language you will need to provide a written testimony that you can comprehend and communicate effectively in English (written and oral) with colleagues and pharmacy clients. This testimony must be provided by a pharmacist with a current Annual Practising Certificate who speaks English as a first language. You need to be able to read and write well in English. Because the qualification includes practical and on-the-job assessments, you will need to speak English fluently, and understand spoken English easily. To show you have these skills you must finish unit standard 23675 Provide written and oral advice as a pharmacy technician with a competent result, before you can enrol further than the first four units listed on page 4. You also need to be able to do weight and volume conversions and calculations involving ratios and percentages, perform decimal rounding and calculate quantities and dosages accurately and consistently. To show you have these skills you must finish unit standard 23682 Make conversions and perform calculations for compounding and dispensing as a pharmacy technician, with a competent result, before you can enrol in unit 9649 Dispense prescriptions and pharmaceutical orders under supervision. Within the first six months of your enrolment you must provide proof that you have a current first aid certificate. You must also keep your certificate up to date while you are studying. SET TEXTS You will need access to copies of the latest editions of: · The Pharmaceutical Schedule and updates · The Dispensing Guide (6th Edition 2004) · The Medicines legislation and other pharmacy legislation.
You will need a copy of Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology (9th edition, 2009 or 10th edition, 2012 by E N Marieb) when you enrol in the pharmacology unit standards. This book is available in hard or soft covers and is available at vicbooks.co.nz
RECOMMENDED READING The Healthcare Handbook published annually by NZ Pharmacy Today is a useful resource if you enrol in unit 9643 (community strand). This is available online or you can also buy your own from NZ Pharmacy Today.
7
GENERAL INFORMATION Study time
Overseas-based students
All courses have a credit value. This helps you work out how much study time you will need. Allow about 10-12 hours of study per credit. For example a 5 credit unit requires about 50-60 hours, including study, work-based experience and your assessment.
You can only enrol in these qualifications if you are living and working in New Zealand. This is because the courses are based on New Zealand legislation, terminology and codes of practice, and because the qualifications require you to do some practical workplace assessments in a New Zealand pharmacy.
To help keep you on track, and to make sure your knowledge and practice are current, PITO requires you to finish your study within three years of your first enrolment. We have provided a qualification structure which should make it possible for you to finish within that time or earlier. Check the qualification structure on page 4 for more information. To keep your study work load manageable, it is advised that you enrol in a maximum of three units at a time. When your enrolment is confirmed, please visit My Open Polytechnic to view your assessment due dates. To access My Open Polytechnic, visit openpolytechnic.ac.nz and click on the Student and Online Campus login button at the top right of the page. As you are working on your last unit in which you are currently enrolled, you can apply to enrol in further units.
Fees Fees are displayed on each course and qualification page on our website. Visit openpolytechnic.ac.nz and browse our subjects and courses to find the fee information you need.
Loans, allowances and other funding Student loans and allowances are administered by StudyLink. We recommend that you apply for a student loan at least four weeks before the commencement of your study. We cannot confirm your enrolment or send your course materials until your fees have been paid. For more information, or to find out if you’re eligible for a student loan, visit studylink.govt.nz or give StudyLink a call on 0800 88 99 00.
Enrolment This qualification is open for admission throughout the year and each course starts on the first Monday of the month you choose for enrolment. You need to enrol online from our website. Visit openpolytechnic.ac.nz/howtoenrol for more information. You will be advised if additional information is needed to progress your application, and you can usually complete this online during the enrolment process. When your enrolment is confirmed, we will send you a letter with your course start and end dates and where you can find assessment submission deadlines. You will need to register with the Pharmacy Industry Training Organisation (PITO) at the time of your first enrolment. There is a registration fee, which includes a New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) fee of around $15.30 for a presentation copy of your National Certificate, which you will receive after you finish the qualification. PITO will contact us to confirm that you have been registered.
Recognition of prior learning You may be eligible for cross-credits for some of the technician qualification, if you: · hold a technician qualification that was awarded by the Pharmaceutical Society of New Zealand, and are currently working as a technician; or · have an overseas pharmacy qualification, or other prior pharmacy qualifications; or · have passed other relevant unit standards; or · have completed the National Certificate in Pharmacy (Assistant) and are now training as a technician. Cross-credits are considered on an individual basis.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE We have a fund to help students who are in financial need and have no other option for financial support. This fund is available for course fees and/or set textbooks. Conditions apply. Contact us for more information. See the last page of this brochure for contact details. SCHOLARSHIPS We also offer a range of scholarships to support students. Visit openpolytechnic.ac.nz/scholarships for more information.
8
Please contact us for more details. See the last page of this brochure for contact details.
Learning support YOUR TUTOR
LIBRARY We provide a library service for students. There is no additional fee for using it. The library service provides:
You will have a tutor for each course you study. They are there to help you through the course work, make sure you have understood the work and to check your progress. You can contact them on our freephone or by email, fax or letter. Your tutor will contact you after you have enrolled.
· online resources
STUDENT INFORMATION
For more information about the library visit openpolytechnic.ac.nz/library
You can find current enrolment and study infomation on our website including details of our systems and processes and the services we offer. For more information visit openpolytechnic.ac.nz/studywithus TE WĀHANGA WHAKAPAKARI (THE LEARNING CENTRE) Te Wāhanga Whakapakari Ako (The Learning Centre) can help you with a wide range of learning support services and resources. These include: · tips and techniques to help you succeed in online and distance learning · one-to-one consultations with a learning advisor (telephone or email) · StudyWise and ExamWise which are free online study and exam preparation workshops · disability services · a student mentoring programme. For more information visit openpolytechnic.ac.nz/learningsupport TE KURU WĀNANGA (THE MĀORI OFFICE) Te Kuru Wānanga (The Māori Office) can help you with your learning and cultural needs in a Kaupapa Māori context. We use Māori values and principles to enhance your learning journey. For more information visit openpolytechnic.ac.nz/maorisupport MY OPEN POLYTECHNIC
· guides on how to search for information · a distance-lending service with free and fast delivery · information about study techniques.
New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) – Record of Achievement If you are already registered on to the NZQA database, please provide us with your record of achievement number or your national student number on your enrolment application. If you are not registered, we will arrange this when you have finished your first unit standard. You can access your Record of Achievement online or you can phone NZQA and ask for a copy of it. To find out more, visit the NZQA website or call them on 04 463 3000. As you gain credit for each unit standard, record it on the progress checklist in your portfolio handbook. Keep the checklist in your portfolio handbook and when you finish the qualification, return it to us. We will then send you an NZQA application form for a copy of your National Certificate. Fill in the application form and send it to PITO. They will liaise with NZQA to arrange for your certificate to be sent to you, and for the qualification to be added to your Record of Achievement.
Further study For information on other courses and qualifications available at Open Polytechnic visit our website or contact us. See the last page of this brochure for contact details.
My Open Polytechnic is our online service portal for our students. With My Open Polytechnic you can: · update your details · view your study information · track the status of your materials · access your assessment submission deadlines, marks and final grades for each course · check your account balance · access Online Campus and the library · access your My Open Polytechnic email account · access online versions of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote. 9
PHARMACIST VERIFICATION OF WORK BASED TASKS Your National Certificate qualification requires some of your work-based tasks to be verified by a pharmacist. PHARMACIST VERIFIERS The National Certificate in Pharmacy (Technician) is competency-based, which means that when trainees finish, they will have practical and workplace-relevant skills which will benefit you and your business. The qualification involves the trainee performing a number of work-based tasks, and being assessed on their ability to perform these tasks to the accepted level. For some of the assessments we will be asking you, as their supervising pharmacist, to observe your staff member at work and to verify their level of knowledge and ability. You will also be verifying evidence that they collect, showing that they can perform tasks to an acceptable level. To be eligible to verify the trainee’s work, you need to have either unit standard 4098 Use standards to assess candidate performance or unit standard 18203 Verify evidence for assessment for candidate. If you have completed the pharmacy intern-preceptor training you will have unit 4098. If you do not have either of these units we can arrange for you to gain unit 18203 as your trainee starts their training qualification. When the trainee first enrols in the qualification, we need to identify who their verifier will be. Note: You can complete the Pharmacist Verifier form on page 11 or you can download it during your first online application for enrolment.
10
NATIONAL CERTIFICATE IN PHARMACY TECHNICIAN – PHARMACIST VERIFIER FORM ABOUT THIS FORM Both trainee and pharmacist need to fill in and sign this form. Please return this form to: Pharmacy Department, Open Polytechnic, Private Bag 31914, Lower Hutt, 5040. Alternatively, if this is your first application for enrolment into the National Certificate in Pharmacy (Technician), you can download this form during the online application process and return it to the address above. The National Certificate in Pharmacy (Technician) requires that selected course assessments be checked in the workplace by an approved verifier. This form collects the name of the verifier who will check the workplace course assessments, and describes and records the verifier’s agreement to the verification requirements. It also records the student’s permission for Open Polytechnic to discuss information on their enrolment status and academic progress with their employer.
PHARMACIST’S DECLARATION Please tick the following statements as appropriate: I confirm that I will verify the work of ____________________________________________________________________ . I currently have US4098 Use standards to assess candidate performance or US18203 Verify evidence for assessment for candidate. I need to gain competency in US18203 to be able to verify student work. Please contact me with more information. I confirm I will provide any necessary guidance and training opportunities to assist the student. I will notify Open Polytechnic if there is any change in my eligibility to be a verifier, or if there is a change of verifier.
Pharmacist’s name:
Signature:
Registration number: Date:
Work phone:
TRAINEE DECLARATION I agree that Open Polytechnic can discuss information on my enrolment status and academic progress with my employer.
Student’s name:
Signature:
Student number: Date:
Contact phone:
Please ensure you and your verifier have signed the form, and return it to: Programme Leader – Pharmacy Open Polytechnic Private Bag 31914 Lower Hutt 5040 Alternatively, you can scan and email the form to pharmacy@openpolytechnic.ac.nz 11
NOTES
12
Contact us Website: openpolytechnic.ac.nz Freephone: 0508 650 200 Overseas phone: +64 4 913 5300 Email: customerservices@openpolytechnic.ac.nz Private Bag 31914 Lower Hutt 5040 New Zealand OTHER USEFUL CONTACT DETAILS Pharmacy Industry Training Organisation (PITO) Pharmacy Technician Enrolment Pharmacy Industry Training Organisation Box 11 640 Wellington Phone: 04 382 8058 Fax: 04 385 8668 Website: pito.org.nz StudyLink Website: studylink.govt.nz Phone: 0800 889 900 NZQA Website: nzqa.govt.nz Phone: 04 463 3000
Join us youtube.com/openpolytechnic
twitter.com/openpolytechnic
facebook.com/openpolytechnic
PHA
0313
152
Open Polytechnic Freephone 0508 650 200 Overseas phone +64 4 913 5300 openpolytechnic.ac.nz Private Bag 31914 路 Lower Hutt 5040 路 New Zealand