PTEC 127 Community Practice Theory examines the role of the pharmacy technician in prescription processing, documentation and product distribution in community pharmacies. Students examine all technical aspects of receiving, verifying, and processing prescriptions to ensure accuracy, safety and compliance with legislation, regulatory requirements and best practices. The principles and processes of record keeping, inventory management, adjudication and billing are studied. Students are introduced to the principles of non-sterile compounding and examine the use of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, natural health products and complementary treatments. The pharmacy technician's collaborative role in health promotion and information sharing activities with patients is examined.
Prerequisites: PTEC 117, PTEC 122, and PTEC 123 all with a minimum grade of 80%
Corequisite: PTEC 128
Accessibility Services Notice
Students who would like an academic accommodation and who have a documented disability should contact Accessibility Services, if they have not already done so.Course Details| Total number of weeks | 7 |
|---|
| Total Credits | |
|---|
| Total Hours | 90 |
|---|
Typical hours per week breakdown
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
- Describe how the pharmacy technician verifies the validity, clarity, completeness and authenticity of prescriptions
- Identify indications for referring or collaborating with a pharmacist during the process of product distribution, product release and during patient interactions
- Explain the steps required to comply with legislation and regulatory requirements when preparing products for dispensing
- List the technical aspects required to ensure accuracy and quality of products prior to release
- Explain how the pharmacy technician contributes to inventory management, record keeping, and risk management to ensure safe, effective, and efficient product distribution and release
- Discuss third party adjudication and billing processes
- Identify indications for non-sterile compounding and explain the process
- Describe how the pharmacy technician supports health promotion activities and educates patients on the use of medical devices
- Identify processes that ensure currency and accuracy for all aspects of the patient profile or patient health record
Teaching and Learning Approach
A learner-centred approach guides this course with collaborative discussion forums used to explore weekly
topics related to community pharmacy practice. Students draw on concepts from previous courses, pharmacy
resources, as well as the Communications in Pharmacy II course running concurrently, allowing them to integrate
and apply their developing knowledge in meaningful ways.
Weekly quizzes assess understanding of the course learning outcomes, while a 4-hour workplace experience
and reflective assignment help students connect theory to real practice. Students also demonstrate their ability to
support patient teaching through the development of a medical device teaching plan. The course concludes with
a comprehensive final exam to evaluate understanding of concepts.Learning Resources
Required:
CPS from Selkirk College remote library for CPMA, CTMA
1. Canadian Pharmacists Association. (online ed.) Compendium of Therapeutics for Minor Ailments. Ottawa ON.
2. Canadian Pharmacists Association. (online ed.) Compendium Products for Minor Ailments. Ottawa ON.
th
McKennon, S. A. and Anderson, R. J. (2020). Pharmacy Practice for Technicians. (7 Ed.). Minneapolis MN:
Paradigm Education SolutionsDetailed Course Content, Topics, and Sequence Covered
1. Patient support/health promotion Triage for Pharmacist OTC drugs/products Medical supplies/devices CPBC drug distribution, pharmacy operations and drug scheduling act Reflect on workflow, NAPRA competencies, roles, and skills
2. Community dispensing/Product Distribution Path of the prescription Prescription labels Technician checking Prescription release
3. Drug coverage for dispensing Pharmacare plans Dispensing fees rd 3 party coverage Lowest cost alternative Drug supply Special authority
4. Medication safety Workflow/dispensary management Compliance packaging Medication reconciliation
5. Inventory Management Systems Drug ordering Dispensing and Inventory management software Dispensing technology
6. Dispensing compounded products NAPRA compounding guidelines Compounding techniques Compounding delivery forms
7. Final ExamAssessment
| Title | Learning Outcomes | Value |
|---|
| Quizzes 12 @2.5% each | 1-9 | 30% |
| Discussion forum collaboration 6 @ 3.33% Assignments - Teaching plan and workplace | each 1-9 | 20% |
| experience | 1-9 | 20% |
| Final assessment | 1-9 | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
Grading Table
Standard Nursing Unit Clerk, Medical Transcription, Editing and Documentation, and Pharmacy Technician Programs Grading Table
| Percentage |
Letter Grade |
GPA |
| 96 - 100 |
A+ |
4.33 |
| 92-95 |
A |
4.00 |
| 89-91 |
B+ |
3.33 |
| 86-88 |
B |
3.00 |
| 83-85 |
C+ |
2.33 |
| 80-82 |
C |
2.00 |
| 79 & lower |
F |
0.00 |
See the Academic Calendar for General Information including how to withdraw from course(s) and other regulations.
Disclaimer
Information contained in this course outline is correct at the time of publication. Content of the course is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational, employment and market needs. The instructor will endeavor to provide notice of changes to students as soon as possible. The instructor reserves the right to add or delete material from courses.