NEW PROGRAM PROPOSAL: WEST KENTUCKY COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE JUNE 15, 2018

Transcription

1 NEW PROGRAM PROPOSAL: ACTION DIPLOMA IN PHARMACY TECHNOLOGY Agenda Item J-5e WEST KENTUCKY COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE JUNE 15, 2018 Recommendation That the Board of Regents approve a Pharmacy Technician II Diploma in Pharmacy Technology for West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) to be implemented in spring Rationale The proposed diploma program is designed to meet workforce needs in Kentucky and is consistent with the mission of West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) and KCTCS. The Diploma in Pharmacy Technology supports economic development by providing access to a high-quality career and technical program that will prepare workers to have the skills necessary to meet the workforce needs of pharmacies and hospitals in the college service area. The program works with community pharmacies and agencies to provide the trained workforce necessary to meet upcoming regulatory changes and the new role of the pharmacies in direct patient care. The demand for pharmacy technicians is expected to grow due to legislation that is currently being discussed involving changes in the requirements to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam. When this legislation goes into effect all exam candidates must graduate from an accredited pharmacy technician program at the diploma level. This new legislation will serve to drive an increased need for pharmacy technician programs and graduates. The Occupational Outlook Handbook indicates that employment for pharmacy technicians is expected to grow 12% from 2016 to This is faster than the average for all occupations. The median pay in 2016 was $30,920. Costs for the Pharmacy Technician II diploma program at WKCTC will include one full time faculty and part time faculty, equipment and supplies, as well as accreditation fees. The college will increase funding to provide additional part time faculty, additional funding for program materials and accreditation fees. Perkins funding will assist the college with expanding and enhancing the Pharmacy Technician program. Background According to the Kentucky Public Postsecondary Education Diversity Policy and Framework for Institution Diversity Plan Development, West Kentucky Community and Technical College has automatic eligibility. An executive summary of the proposal is attached. A copy of the full proposal has been forwarded to each member of the Board s Academic Affairs and Curriculum Committee. 155

2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Diploma in Pharmacy Technology West Kentucky Community and Technical College A Proposal for Initiation of a New Degree Program A. Centrality to the Institution s Mission and Consistency with State s Goals The proposed Diploma in Pharmacy Technology is fully consistent with the mission of West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) to promote student success and support economic development. The proposed diploma program supports student success by participating in the Accelerate You! program and providing innovative instruction. The proposed diploma program supports economic development by providing access to a high-quality career and technical program that will prepare workers to have the skills necessary to meet the workforce needs of pharmacies and hospitals in the college service area. The program works with community pharmacies and agencies to provide the trained workforce necessary to meet upcoming regulatory changes and the new role of the pharmacies in direct patient care. The proposed Pharmacy Technology diploma program addresses the Kentucky Community and Technical College s (KCTCS) mission to provide workforce education and training. The proposed program will offer students access to a postsecondary credential that provides marketable skills and a sustainable wage in a career field, which will be in high demand as the role of the Pharmacy Technician continues to grow and require additional skills. The proposed Pharmacy Technology program addresses the state s Council on Postsecondary Education s (CPE) strategic agenda in the areas of opportunity, success, and impact. The proposed diploma in Pharmacy Technology addresses the post-secondary objective of opportunity by increasing the number of college-ready graduates by participating in the Accelerate You! Contextualized learning program and dual credit courses. The proposed diploma addresses opportunity by offering instruction in online and hybridized instructional models. This provides area students with flexibility in obtaining the credential. The proposed diploma program addresses opportunity by partnering with area business and industry in clinical placements. The Pharmacy Technology program at WKCTC meets the goal of the statewide strategic agenda for impact by providing high quality credentials, which allow graduates to be successful in their work, life, and communities. The proposed program will affect career readiness and employability by providing stackable credentials within the program since a student can earn two certificates as they move toward the ultimate diploma. The proposed program will affect the overall health of Kentucky citizens by providing a professional health care program, which will increase the safety and effectiveness of pharmacy technicians in the service area. 156

3 B. Program Quality and Student Success The proposed diploma for pharmacy technology includes both general education and technical education competencies. The general education competencies are designed to prepare the student for twenty first century challenges and specifically focus on biological sciences, oral communication skills, and information literacy. This combination provides the student a foundation for the technical core of classes and the ability to utilize this knowledge in the workforce setting. The technical competencies for the diploma focus on courses that require students to demonstrate knowledge of the pharmacy setting and the role pharmacies have in the overall health care of patients. Instruction is provided to allow the graduate to function under the direction of a Registered Pharmacist and provide services including prescription preparation, inventory, repackaging, and compounding. The Pharmacy Technology Program instruction includes the history of pharmacy profession, pharmacy law, medical terminology, drug calculations, drug classification, record keeping, insurance forms, and preparing and dispensing prescription medications. The proposed program requires students to demonstrate required pharmacy psychomotor and soft skills in a laboratory setting. Students must demonstrate a working knowledge of pharmacy practices. An externship under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist is a required component of the program. C. Program Demand/Unnecessary Duplication The demand for pharmacy technicians is expected to grow due to legislation that is currently being discussed involving changes in the requirements to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam. When this legislation goes into effect all exam candidates must graduate from an accredited pharmacy technician program at the diploma level. This new legislation will serve to drive an increased need for pharmacy technician programs and graduates. Current approved changes in USP 800 are set to become official on December 1, The USP Chapter <800> is officially titled General Chapter <800> Hazardous Drugs- Handling in Healthcare Settings. There are several new techniques for handling hazardous drugs and compounding of these medications. The hospitals in the local area are only hiring certified pharmacy technicians to make sure that they have had exposure to these procedures and the training necessary to perform these tasks. Surveys of area pharmacies indicated that there would be an increased need for certified pharmacy technology graduates. In a recent survey, all responding employers indicated they would prefer to hire certified pharmacy technicians. Employers also indicated certified pharmacy technicians would be hired at a higher pay rate and there would be a need for increased numbers, as new regulations require pharmacies to meet higher standards (See Appendix F). The bureau of labor statistics indicates a need for pharmacy technology graduates to fill various jobs in the health care industry. The Occupational Outlook Handbook indicates that employment for pharmacy technicians is expected to grow 12 percent from 2016 to This is faster than the average for all occupations. The median pay in 2016 was $30,

4 Although the program will exist within the KCTCS system, WKCTC will be serving the needs of students in far western Kentucky, southern Illinois, southeast Missouri, and northwest Tennessee. The diploma program is offered at Ashland Community and Technical College, Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Jefferson Community and Technical College, Hopkinsville Community College and Somerset Community College. Access to existing programs at other colleges does not meet the needs of the college s service area. Since this program requires laboratory experiences students need access to programs near where they live. The distance necessary to travel to the other Pharmacy Technology degree programs makes it impossible for students in our region to attend other programs without relocating. The current enrollment demonstrates the need for the program at WKCTC. D. Cost and Funding of the Proposed Program Costs for the Pharmacy Technician II diploma program at WKCTC will include one full time faculty and part time faculty, equipment and supplies, as well as accreditation fees. The college currently funds the Pharmacy Technician I certificate program. The college will increase funding to provide additional part time faculty, additional funding for program materials and accreditation fees. Perkins funding will assist the college with expanding and enhancing the Pharmacy Technician program. E. Program Review and Assessment Review of the Pharmacy Technician program and assessment of student learning outcomes will utilize processes already established at WKCTC for all programs. On an annual basis, each program participates in the institutional effectiveness reporting process with program and course student learning outcomes and specific measures for each of these outcomes. These measures are utilized to identify where the program is doing well and where program improvement is needed. Current measures include quantitative data on enrollment, number of graduates, and success on certification exams. The program also utilizes qualitative data on employer satisfaction, advisory committee input, student satisfaction with curriculum preparation, and student satisfaction with clinical experiences. Individual courses are reviewed annually to ensure they meet course student learning outcomes. These program outcomes are reported in the WEAVE online web-based reporting system. The Division Dean reviews the results for Allied Health and Personal Services as well as by the Academic Dean. As with all technical programs, the Pharmacy Technology program will participate in the periodic program review required by the Council for Post-secondary Education. As the proposed diploma, moves forward with accreditation the program review process will also provide the program with input from the accreditation team and process to foster improvement. As an accredited program, the WKCTC pharmacy technology program will be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure the learning outcomes meet the national standards. 158

5 F. Conclusion The proposed Pharmacy Technician II diploma program is consistent with the missions of the Kentucky Community and Technical College system and West Kentucky Community and Technical College. It also supports the strategic agenda and implementation plan of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. The curriculum has been approved by the system curriculum committee and supports the changing requirements and work force needs of the Purchase area. This new diploma program will meet the needs for increased workforce training to meet the needs of area pharmacies and health care agencies. 159

6 160