Pharmacy interns and technicians are integral members of the pharmacy team, playing crucial roles in supporting pharmacists and ensuring the safe and efficient delivery of pharmaceutical care. For PharmD students, understanding the distinct roles, responsibilities, scope of practice, and legal limitations of both interns and technicians is vital, not only for their future roles as supervising pharmacists but also during their experiential learning as interns. Pharmacy law clearly delineates the activities each member can perform, emphasizing the importance of direct pharmacist supervision for many tasks. This quiz will test your knowledge on the functions, requirements, and regulatory aspects concerning pharmacy interns and technicians.
1. A key distinction between a pharmacy intern and a pharmacy technician is that an intern:
- a) Is not required to be supervised by a pharmacist.
- b) Is a student enrolled in or a graduate of a college of pharmacy, undergoing practical training.
- c) Can independently perform final verification of prescriptions.
- d) Primarily performs clerical duties unrelated to dispensing.
Answer: b) Is a student enrolled in or a graduate of a college of pharmacy, undergoing practical training.
2. Which of the following activities generally requires the professional judgment of a licensed pharmacist and CANNOT be independently performed by a pharmacy technician?
- a) Entering prescription information into the computer system.
- b) Counting and pouring medications.
- c) Performing a final check (verification) of a dispensed prescription.
- d) Retrieving stock bottles from the shelves.
Answer: c) Performing a final check (verification) of a dispensed prescription.
3. A pharmacy intern, under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist, may typically perform which of the following duties?
- a) Independently open and manage a pharmacy.
- b) Functions that require the professional judgment of a pharmacist, provided the supervising pharmacist personally reviews and approves the intern’s actions.
- c) Prescribe medications for minor ailments.
- d) Supervise other licensed pharmacists.
Answer: b) Functions that require the professional judgment of a pharmacist, provided the supervising pharmacist personally reviews and approves the intern’s actions.
4. The “direct supervision” of a pharmacy intern or technician by a pharmacist generally means that the pharmacist:
- a) Must be in the same city as the intern/technician.
- b) Is physically present in the pharmacy and readily available to provide guidance and review the work performed.
- c) Reviews all work at the end of the week.
- d) Is available by phone.
Answer: b) Is physically present in the pharmacy and readily available to provide guidance and review the work performed.
5. Which of the following tasks is typically within the scope of practice for a registered pharmacy technician?
- a) Counseling patients on the use of new medications.
- b) Recommending OTC products for specific medical conditions.
- c) Compounding non-sterile preparations after receiving appropriate training and under pharmacist supervision.
- d) Performing a prospective drug utilization review (DUR) and making clinical decisions.
Answer: c) Compounding non-sterile preparations after receiving appropriate training and under pharmacist supervision.
6. The primary purpose of state laws and regulations defining the roles and responsibilities of pharmacy interns and technicians is to:
- a) Limit the number of individuals working in a pharmacy.
- b) Ensure public health and safety by defining scopes of practice and supervision requirements.
- c) Increase the profitability of pharmacies.
- d) Standardize the salaries for interns and technicians.
Answer: b) Ensure public health and safety by defining scopes of practice and supervision requirements.
7. Who is ultimately responsible for all activities occurring in the pharmacy, including those performed by interns and technicians?
- a) The senior pharmacy technician.
- b) The pharmacy intern.
- c) The licensed pharmacist on duty or the pharmacist-in-charge.
- d) The state Board of Pharmacy.
Answer: c) The licensed pharmacist on duty or the pharmacist-in-charge.
8. Patient counseling on prescription medications is a duty that must be performed by or offered by:
- a) Any pharmacy employee who is friendly.
- b) A pharmacy technician with at least 5 years of experience.
- c) The pharmacist or a pharmacy intern under the direct supervision of a pharmacist.
- d) The delivery driver when the medication is dropped off.
Answer: c) The pharmacist or a pharmacy intern under the direct supervision of a pharmacist.
9. Activities such as data entry of prescription information, labeling of prescriptions, and counting medications are often performed by:
- a) Only licensed pharmacists.
- b) Pharmacy technicians and/or interns under pharmacist supervision.
- c) Patients themselves.
- d) Pharmaceutical sales representatives.
Answer: b) Pharmacy technicians and/or interns under pharmacist supervision.
10. Can a pharmacy technician legally receive a new oral prescription over the phone from a prescriber?
- a) Yes, always.
- b) No, never; only pharmacists can.
- c) This depends on state law; some states may permit it under specific conditions with pharmacist verification, while others prohibit it.
- d) Only if it is for an OTC medication.
Answer: c) This depends on state law; some states may permit it under specific conditions with pharmacist verification, while others prohibit it.
11. A pharmacy intern’s scope of practice typically expands as they:
- a) Work more hours as a technician.
- b) Progress through their Doctor of Pharmacy program and gain more knowledge and experience under supervision.
- c) Pass a national technician certification exam.
- d) Get a raise.
Answer: b) Progress through their Doctor of Pharmacy program and gain more knowledge and experience under supervision.
12. One of the main limitations of a pharmacy technician’s role is that they cannot:
- a) Use the pharmacy computer.
- b) Speak to patients.
- c) Exercise independent professional pharmaceutical judgment.
- d) Wear a white lab coat.
Answer: c) Exercise independent professional pharmaceutical judgment.
13. Training requirements for pharmacy technicians:
- a) Are nonexistent.
- b) Are standardized nationally by the FDA.
- c) Vary by state but often include formal education programs or on-the-job training, and may require certification.
- d) Are determined solely by the employing pharmacy.
Answer: c) Vary by state but often include formal education programs or on-the-job training, and may require certification.
14. Which of the following best describes the pharmacist’s role in supervising technicians during the medication dispensing process?
- a) The pharmacist only needs to be in the building.
- b) The pharmacist must personally direct and verify the work of the technician, especially critical steps like final product verification.
- c) Technicians can supervise other technicians.
- d) Supervision is only required for compounding tasks.
Answer: b) The pharmacist must personally direct and verify the work of the technician, especially critical steps like final product verification.
15. A pharmacy intern may be authorized to administer immunizations if:
- a) They have watched a video on how to do it.
- b) They have completed an approved immunization training program and meet all state requirements, under pharmacist supervision.
- c) They are in their final year of pharmacy school.
- d) The patient requests it.
Answer: b) They have completed an approved immunization training program and meet all state requirements, under pharmacist supervision.
16. If a pharmacy technician makes an error during prescription filling (e.g., pulls the wrong drug), who is accountable if the error reaches the patient?
- a) Only the technician.
- b) The supervising pharmacist, as they are responsible for the final verification and the overall dispensing process.
- c) The patient, for not checking.
- d) The prescriber, for ordering the medication.
Answer: b) The supervising pharmacist, as they are responsible for the final verification and the overall dispensing process.
17. The purpose of registering or licensing pharmacy technicians with the state Board of Pharmacy is to:
- a) Collect fees.
- b) Allow them to practice independently.
- c) Provide a mechanism for oversight, discipline, and ensuring minimum competency standards to protect public safety.
- d) Guarantee them a certain wage.
Answer: c) Provide a mechanism for oversight, discipline, and ensuring minimum competency standards to protect public safety.
18. A pharmacy intern may provide patient counseling:
- a) Independently, without any pharmacist involvement.
- b) Only after they graduate and become a licensed pharmacist.
- c) Under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist who is responsible for the counseling provided.
- d) Only for OTC medications.
Answer: c) Under the direct supervision of a licensed pharmacist who is responsible for the counseling provided.
19. Tasks such as inventory management, ordering medications, and stocking shelves can often be performed by:
- a) Only the pharmacist-in-charge.
- b) Pharmacy technicians or other trained pharmacy staff.
- c) Patients waiting for prescriptions.
- d) Delivery personnel.
Answer: b) Pharmacy technicians or other trained pharmacy staff.
20. Which of these statements accurately reflects the legal standing regarding tasks performed by interns and technicians?
- a) They can perform any task a pharmacist can, as long as they feel comfortable.
- b) State laws and regulations specifically outline permissible duties and required levels of supervision.
- c) Federal law dictates all technician duties uniformly across all states.
- d) There are no specific laws, only general guidelines.
Answer: b) State laws and regulations specifically outline permissible duties and required levels of supervision.
21. Resolving clinical alerts from the pharmacy computer system, such as a major drug interaction warning, typically requires the intervention of:
- a) A pharmacy technician.
- b) The pharmacist, due to the need for professional judgment.
- c) The patient.
- d) The IT department.
Answer: b) The pharmacist, due to the need for professional judgment.
22. A pharmacy technician can typically assist with prescription intake by:
- a) Diagnosing the patient’s condition.
- b) Gathering patient information, insurance details, and entering prescription data into the computer.
- c) Deciding on the appropriate drug therapy for the patient.
- d) Signing the pharmacist’s name on documents.
Answer: b) Gathering patient information, insurance details, and entering prescription data into the computer.
23. What is a common requirement for individuals to be recognized as a pharmacy intern by a state Board of Pharmacy?
- a) Previous employment as a certified technician for 5 years.
- b) Current enrollment in an accredited school or college of pharmacy or being a graduate awaiting licensure.
- c) A degree in chemistry.
- d) At least 50 years of age.
Answer: b) Current enrollment in an accredited school or college of pharmacy or being a graduate awaiting licensure.
24. If a pharmacy technician receives a patient complaint about a medication’s side effects, the technician should:
- a) Provide medical advice based on their own experience.
- b) Tell the patient to stop taking the medication immediately.
- c) Refer the patient to the pharmacist for appropriate assessment and counseling.
- d) Ignore the complaint as it’s not their responsibility.
Answer: c) Refer the patient to the pharmacist for appropriate assessment and counseling.
25. The ratio of pharmacy technicians to pharmacists allowed to work at one time in a pharmacy is:
- a) Unlimited.
- b) Determined by federal law and is the same in all states.
- c) Often regulated by state Board of Pharmacy rules and may vary depending on the practice setting.
- d) Decided by the pharmacy owner based on budget.
Answer: c) Often regulated by state Board of Pharmacy rules and may vary depending on the practice setting.
26. Which of the following activities is generally considered outside the scope of a pharmacy intern, even under direct supervision?
- a) Taking a patient’s medication history.
- b) Counseling a patient on a new medication.
- c) Independently authorizing prescription refills for which there are no refills remaining.
- d) Administering an immunization (if properly trained and certified).
Answer: c) Independently authorizing prescription refills for which there are no refills remaining. (This is a prescribing function).
27. National certification for pharmacy technicians (e.g., CPhT) often indicates that the technician has:
- a) The authority to act as a pharmacist.
- b) Met a certain standard of knowledge and competency, often through an examination.
- c) A Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
- d) The ability to supervise interns.
Answer: b) Met a certain standard of knowledge and competency, often through an examination.
28. A pharmacist’s delegation of tasks to interns or technicians must always comply with:
- a) The intern’s or technician’s personal preferences.
- b) Applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
- c) The pharmacy’s profit margins.
- d) The time of day.
Answer: b) Applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
29. Can a pharmacy technician independently handle a drug recall by deciding which patients are affected and contacting them with clinical advice?
- a) Yes, if they are certified.
- b) No, this requires pharmacist involvement for clinical judgment, patient communication strategy, and oversight.
- c) Only if the recall is for an OTC product.
- d) Yes, if the pharmacist is on lunch break.
Answer: b) No, this requires pharmacist involvement for clinical judgment, patient communication strategy, and oversight.
30. The phrase “under the direct supervision of a pharmacist” implies that the pharmacist:
- a) Is available by pager.
- b) Reviews the intern’s/technician’s work at the end of the month.
- c) Is immediately available on-site to guide and oversee the delegated tasks.
- d) Trusts the intern/technician to work independently off-site.
Answer: c) Is immediately available on-site to guide and oversee the delegated tasks.
31. A pharmacy intern’s experiential education hours are intended to:
- a) Provide cheap labor for the pharmacy.
- b) Allow them to practice pharmacy independently before licensure.
- c) Provide supervised, practical experience to apply didactic knowledge and develop professional competencies.
- d) Fulfill community service requirements unrelated to pharmacy.
Answer: c) Provide supervised, practical experience to apply didactic knowledge and develop professional competencies.
32. Which of the following is a task a pharmacy technician CANNOT legally perform?
- a) Affixing labels to prescription vials.
- b) Accepting a refill request from a patient for a prescription with valid refills.
- c) Recommending a therapeutic alternative to a prescribed medication.
- d) Locating and retrieving medication from stock.
Answer: c) Recommending a therapeutic alternative to a prescribed medication.
33. If a pharmacy intern identifies a potential drug interaction during prescription processing, they should:
- a) Ignore it, as only the pharmacist is responsible for DUR.
- b) Dispense the prescription and hope for the best.
- c) Bring it to the attention of the supervising pharmacist for review and intervention.
- d) Call the prescriber directly without consulting the supervising pharmacist.
Answer: c) Bring it to the attention of the supervising pharmacist for review and intervention.
34. Continuing education requirements for pharmacy technicians are:
- a) Not required in any state once certified.
- b) Often required by state boards of pharmacy and/or national certifying bodies for recertification/re-registration.
- c) The same as those for pharmacists.
- d) Focused only on customer service skills.
Answer: b) Often required by state boards of pharmacy and/or national certifying bodies for recertification/re-registration.
35. The “scope of practice” for pharmacy technicians is primarily defined by:
- a) The lead technician in the pharmacy.
- b) The American Pharmacists Association (APhA).
- c) State laws, rules, and regulations enacted by the Board of Pharmacy.
- d) Federal HIPAA regulations.
Answer: c) State laws, rules, and regulations enacted by the Board of Pharmacy.
36. Which of the following is a key responsibility of a pharmacist when delegating tasks to a technician?
- a) Ensuring the technician is performing tasks beyond their capability to help them learn.
- b) Ensuring the technician is properly trained and competent for the delegated tasks and providing adequate supervision.
- c) Delegating all patient counseling duties to experienced technicians.
- d) Minimizing all interaction with the technician.
Answer: b) Ensuring the technician is properly trained and competent for the delegated tasks and providing adequate supervision.
37. The activities that may be performed by a pharmacy intern are generally _________ than those of a pharmacy technician, especially concerning cognitive functions under supervision.
- a) More limited
- b) Broader and more aligned with pharmacist duties
- c) Exactly the same
- d) Focused only on administrative tasks
Answer: b) Broader and more aligned with pharmacist duties
38. The objective “Describe the roles and responsibilities of each member of the community pharmacy team” from the CIPPE syllabus highlights the importance of understanding that:
- a) Only pharmacists have responsibilities.
- b) Technicians and interns are solely responsible for customer service.
- c) Effective pharmacy operation relies on each team member understanding and fulfilling their specific, legally defined roles.
- d) Interns primarily observe and do not participate.
Answer: c) Effective pharmacy operation relies on each team member understanding and fulfilling their specific, legally defined roles.
39. Is it appropriate for a pharmacy technician to provide a patient with their professional opinion on the effectiveness of a prescribed medication?
- a) Yes, if they have taken the medication themselves.
- b) No, providing clinical opinions and counseling on medication effectiveness falls within the pharmacist’s scope of practice.
- c) Yes, if the pharmacist is busy.
- d) Only if the medication is generic.
Answer: b) No, providing clinical opinions and counseling on medication effectiveness falls within the pharmacist’s scope of practice.
40. When a prescription is transferred out of a pharmacy, which staff member can typically provide the transfer information to another pharmacy (assuming all legal requirements are met)?
- a) Any cashier.
- b) A licensed pharmacist or, in some states, a supervised intern.
- c) A pharmacy technician without pharmacist involvement.
- d) The delivery driver.
Answer: b) A licensed pharmacist or, in some states, a supervised intern.
41. The final check of a prescription before it is dispensed to a patient (product verification) involves ensuring the correct drug, strength, dosage form, quantity, and labeling. This critical step must be performed by:
- a) The most senior technician.
- b) A licensed pharmacist (or an intern under direct personal supervision, if allowed by state law for certain steps).
- c) A quality control machine only.
- d) The patient.
Answer: b) A licensed pharmacist (or an intern under direct personal supervision, if allowed by state law for certain steps).
42. If a state law regarding technician duties is stricter than a pharmacy’s internal policy, which should be followed?
- a) The pharmacy’s internal policy.
- b) The stricter state law.
- c) Whichever is more convenient.
- d) The technician can choose.
Answer: b) The stricter state law.
43. The term “pharmacist-in-charge” (PIC) refers to a pharmacist who is responsible for:
- a) Only training new interns.
- b) The overall compliance of the pharmacy with all laws and regulations.
- c) Marketing the pharmacy’s services.
- d) Setting the prices for medications.
Answer: b) The overall compliance of the pharmacy with all laws and regulations.
44. Can pharmacy interns or technicians independently decide to make a therapeutic substitution (changing to a different drug within the same class)?
- a) Yes, interns can, but not technicians.
- b) Yes, technicians can if they are certified.
- c) No, therapeutic substitution requires the clinical judgment of a pharmacist and, typically, prescriber authorization (e.g., through a protocol or direct consultation).
- d) Yes, if the patient requests it.
Answer: c) No, therapeutic substitution requires the clinical judgment of a pharmacist and, typically, prescriber authorization (e.g., through a protocol or direct consultation).
45. A key ethical responsibility for both pharmacy interns and technicians is to:
- a) Maximize pharmacy sales.
- b) Maintain patient confidentiality.
- c) Offer medical diagnoses.
- d) Work without supervision.
Answer: b) Maintain patient confidentiality.
46. The Community Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (CIPPE) is designed to facilitate students’ (interns’) professional development in a community pharmacy setting. This involves:
- a) Primarily observing pharmacists.
- b) Actively participating in pharmacy tasks under supervision to build knowledge and skills.
- c) Working independently without a preceptor.
- d) Focusing only on non-dispensing activities.
Answer: b) Actively participating in pharmacy tasks under supervision to build knowledge and skills.
47. Objective 4 from PHA5703 syllabus states that students will be able to “Explain the activities that must be completed by a licensed pharmacist, those activities that may be performed by a pharmacy intern, and the activities that may be performed by a pharmacy technician”. This emphasizes that:
- a) All three roles have identical scopes of practice.
- b) There are clear legal distinctions in the permissible activities for each role.
- c) Technicians have a broader scope than interns.
- d) Pharmacists primarily delegate all their tasks.
Answer: b) There are clear legal distinctions in the permissible activities for each role.
48. An important aspect of pharmacist supervision includes not only overseeing tasks but also:
- a) Ensuring interns and technicians take adequate breaks.
- b) Providing education, feedback, and mentorship.
- c) Performing all tasks themselves to avoid delegation.
- d) Limiting intern/technician access to pharmacy resources.
Answer: b) Providing education, feedback, and mentorship.
49. If an intern is unsure about how to correctly perform a task or answer a patient’s question, they should:
- a) Guess to appear knowledgeable.
- b) Ask a pharmacy technician for the answer.
- c) Consult with their supervising pharmacist.
- d) Look up the answer online and provide it without verification.
Answer: c) Consult with their supervising pharmacist.
50. Effective teamwork between pharmacists, interns, and technicians contributes to:
- a) Increased medication errors.
- b) Improved patient safety, efficiency, and quality of care.
- c) Longer patient wait times.
- d) Reduced job satisfaction for all.
Answer: b) Improved patient safety, efficiency, and quality of care.