NAPRA updates Entry to Practice document for techs

The National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) recently published an updated version of its document “Professional Competencies for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians at Entry to Practice in Canada” (ETP).“The current ETP competencies have been updated to better reflect the professional knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and judgments required for safe and ethnical practice by entry-level pharmacy technicians and pharmacists in today’s environment and for at least the next six years,” noted a NAPRA press release. The ETP competencies serve as the basis for the development of national licensing examinations, outcomes for pharmacist and pharmacy technician educational programs, and assessment tools for Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities.Read: Tips from a tech for a better flu seasonThe first ETP document for pharmacy technicians was published in 2007, and the latest version in 2022. As in the previous version, the document is divided into six domains. However, the first, called “Providing Care,” has now been divided into two parts: “Clinical Care” and “Distribution.” The new version has two levels of competencies in each domain: key competencies, which represent broadly defined competencies required of all pharmacy professionals; and enabling competencies, which denote expectations specific to the role of pharmacy technicians or pharmacists only. For example, in “Providing Care: Clinical Care,” the document notes that pharmacy professionals “are able to obtain relevant patient information,” while pharmacy technicians specifically “are able to measure the patient’s physical attributes (height, weight, blood pressure, etc.),” but not perform physical and other clinical assessments. Similarly, it lists what technicians are able to do in the categories of “Assess the patient’s health status and unique needs, goals, and preferences, in partnership with the patient”; “Implement a plan for the patient’s care in collaboration with the patient and their circle of care”; and “Monitor the patient and collaborate with the patient and their circle of care to revise the plan for the patient’s care.”Read: Pharmacy Technicians, it's time to shineIn the second part of the Providing Care domain, under “Distribution,” the document notes what pharmacy technicians are able to do in terms of reviewing and processing prescriptions. However, there is also a wide scope for pharmacy professionals in general, for preparing products and preparations for dispensing, verifying the accuracy and quality of dispensed products and preparations, releasing verified products and preparations, and managing pharmacy inventory to ensure safe and efficient distribution, all of which apply to both technicians and pharmacists. Similarly, when it comes to the domain of “Knowledge and Expertise,” all pharmacy professionals are required to demonstrate commitment to ongoing professional learning, development, and improvement; and use professional judgment to make evidence-informed decisions in the best interests of the patient.In the category of “Communication and Collaboration,” all pharmacy professionals in the 2024 version must be able to use effective communication skills; work in partnership with the patient (a role that was defined specifically for pharmacy technicians in the previous version of the document); collaborate with pharmacy colleagues, other health professionals, and other involved parties; and document pharmacy care and services and maintain pharmacy records.Likewise, the fourth and fifth domains of “Leadership and Stewardship” and “Professionalism,” respectively, feature key competencies that apply to all pharmacy professionals.To view the new document, visit NAPRA-Entry-to-practice-Competencies-October-2024-EN.pdf.

NAPRA updates Entry to Practice document for techs

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