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New Board Reg Info: Name Tags & Tech Background Checks

New Name Tag Rule
The Board of Pharmacy recently enacted a rule, 4729-9-02 (G), regarding employee name tags. As of January 1, 2009, an employee of a pharmacy that may have contact with patients or the general public must be identified by a nametag that includes the employee's job title. This language was originally part of SB 203, the Pharmacy Technician bill, but was removed and resurfaced in Administrative Rule. This is apparently in response to concerns raised by the public that they are talking to numerous people behind the pharmacy counter and without name tags they aren't sure with whom they are talking.

Pharmacy Technician Criminal Background Checks
Although we are awaiting the promulgation of rules for most of the regulations regarding the new pharmacy technician law, there is one piece of the new law that will go into effect on April 8, 2009. The new law requires all qualified pharmacy technicians who have not worked for you for more than 5 years to successfully (no felony convictions) pass a criminal records checks. The check must be done through a WebCheck provider and consist of both BCI criminal records check and an FBI criminal records check. The Board of Pharmacy is currently working on writing rules for this, and OPA will keep you posted on the details.

What is a "qualified pharmacy technician", and what can they do?

"Qualified pharmacy technician" means a person whom, under the direct supervision of a pharmacist, all of the following apply:
• The person is 18 years of age or older
• Possesses a high school diploma or GED
• Passes a criminal records' check (has no felony convictions ) that is submitted to the employer
• Passes a competency exam approved in rule by the Ohio Board of Pharmacy (BOP).

In a pharmacy or while performing a function of the pharmacy and under the direct supervision of a pharmacist, a qualified pharmacy technician may do any of the following:
• engage in the compounding of any drugs
• package or label any medication
• prepare or mix any intravenous medication to be injected into a human being

All eighty-eight county sheriffs' offices are WebCheck (BCI & FBI) providers even if they are not listed on the WebCheck Community Listing. If you select an agency other than a sheriff's office, please make sure that it has "(BCI & FBI)" listed after the name. Contact the WebCheck (BCI & FBI) provider agency to determine the total fee(s) and the accepted method(s) of payment. Fees include: BCI/$22, plus FBI/$24, and some agencies may charge a processing fee (e.g. $5-$40). Also, verify if any additional materials are needed (e.g. photo id). Note, some agencies have restricted hours and may require you to schedule an appointment.

Below is a link to the Attorney General website that will give you phone listings for WebCheck providers in all 88 counties.

http://www.ag.state.oh.us/business/fingerprint/data/index.asp

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