Role of an Accredited Checking Technician

[bobbin]

if some pharmacists are effictively going to skip any sort of clinical check (beyond interactions and labels) in the name of script numbers, then they are going to do us all out of a profession.

Many pharmacists don't have a choice - not a good state of affairs.

Another problem is that in the absence of access to patients' medical records, only a very limited clinical check can be performed at the best of times.

[Defblade]

Many pharmacists don't have a choice - not a good state of affairs.

Yes, they do. And if they can't change jobs, they can sort out the one they've got. I would say tho that you need to be a VERY strong personality to sort out a multiple. And be prepared to be labelled a "troublemaker" for ever. And then change jobs anyway! And yes this is speaking from experience. It can be done.....

Another problem is that in the absence of access to patients' medical records, only a very limited clinical check can be performed at the best of times.

That's a whole other question - but not an excuse for not doing what can be done.

[bobbin]

Yes, they do. And if they can't change jobs, they can sort out the one they've got. I would say tho that you need to be a VERY strong personality to sort out a multiple. And be prepared to be labelled a "troublemaker" for ever. And then change jobs anyway! And yes this is speaking from experience. It can be done.....

I suppose so but most pharmacists don't want to risk getting the boot, especially in the current economic climate.

[janeN]

I have worked in both community and now in hospital but the principal is basically the same.

The rx is first clinically checked - how this is done is down to the pharmacist in charge but if i had even stuck a label on a box or got the pack off the shelf then i wouldnt check it - simple as. You CANNOT check your own work


When in community i did come accross locums who didnt want me to do the accuracy check which is fair enough. Its not a question of my ability its up to them. If you cant handle that then ACT is not for you

[NightzWorld]

Ok so can anybody tell me whether an ACT can help to do MUR's, for example by taking part in the initial consultation of gathering data about a patients medication? I guess at that point the pharmacist can then be called in to review the medication and identify any issues? Or is it only the Pharmacist who can do the entire MUR consultation?

[PtitpupUK]

I have read that you could get technicians to help fill the MUR form but I don't know if you can take it as being from a reliable source (read it on a googled article).

In my pharmacy, the pharmacist does the clinical check, then when one of the dispensers labels, she'll flag up any new drugs and change of medication, and refer them back to the pharmacist for him to see if it's still ok for me to check, or if he wants to do the checking, if we need to leave a counselling message etc...There's a lot of communication between me and the pharmacist even in prescriptions that don't need pharmacist intervention, because I learn a lot in this role, and asking questions helps a lot in reaching high standards and gaining knowledge as well.
Beware though, having an ACT in the branch is a good thing, but not in busy pharmacies. From my experience it does NOT free pharmacist time when you get a high amount of walk ins and the pharmacist is stuck to checking the waiters. I expect for large multiples it's probably also a cost-cutting exercise. After all they save on a locum.

[johnep]

UPDATE: 3 dead in alleged murder/suicide at Long Beach Memorial - Press-Telegram
This is what one technician did.
johnep

[PtitpupUK]

Link is not working -- or it could be my computer lol

[johnep]

Here's an article about all of the poor chaps.
Long Beach Memorial victims, shooter identified - Press-Telegram
Try this one, original was on us site studentdoctor pharmacy forum.
johnep

[johnep]

Does not appear that links are working, sorry. Visit the site for more detail.
johnep