Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 12, March 22, 2024
When directed by the board, a pharmacist or intern pharmacist
may be required to complete an ethics course that meets the requirements of
this section as a condition of probation, license reinstatement or as abatement
for a citation and fine. Board approval must be obtained prior to the
commencement of an ethics course.
(a)
The board will consider for approval an ethics course that at minimum satisfies
the following requirements:
(1) Duration. The
course shall consist of a minimum of 22 hours, of which at least 14 are contact
hours and at least 8 additional hours are credited for preparation, evaluation
and assessment.
(2) Faculty. Every
instructor shall either possess a valid unrestricted California professional
license or otherwise be qualified, by virtue of prior training, education and
experience, to teach an ethics or professionalism course at a university or
teaching institution.
(3)
Educational Objectives. There are clearly stated educational objectives that
can be realistically accomplished within the framework of the course.
(4) Methods of Instruction. The course shall
describe the teaching methods for each component of the program, e.g., lecture,
seminar, role-playing, group discussion, video, etc.
(5) Content. The course shall contain all of
the following components:
(A) A background
assessment to familiarize the provider and instructors with the factors that
led to the prospective candidate's referral to the class.
(B) A baseline assessment of knowledge to
determine the participant's knowledge/awareness of ethical and legal issues
related to the practice of pharmacy in California, including but not limited to
those legal and ethical issues related to the specific case(s) for which the
participant has been referred to the program.
(C) An assessment of the participant's
expectations of the program, recognition of need for change, and commitment to
change.
(D) Didactic presentation
of material related to those areas that were problems for the participants
based upon the results of the background assessments and baseline assessments
of knowledge.
(E) Experiential
exercises that allow the participants to practice concepts and newly developed
skills they have learned during the didactic section of the class.
(F) A longitudinal follow-up component that
includes (1) a minimum of two contacts at spaced intervals (e.g., 6 months and
12 months) within one year after course completion or prior to completion of
the participant's probationary period if probation is less than one year, to
assess the participant's status; and (2) a status report submitted to the
division within 10 calendar days after the last contact.
(6) Class Size. A class shall not exceed a
maximum of 12 participants.
(7)
Evaluation. The course shall include an evaluation method that documents that
educational objectives have been met -- e.g. written examination or written
evaluation -- and that provides for written follow-up evaluation at the
conclusion of the longitudinal assessment.
(8) Records. The course provider shall
maintain all records pertaining to the program, including a record of the
attendance for each participant, for a minimum of 3 years and shall make those
records available for inspection and copying by the board or its
designee.
(9) Course Completion.
The provider shall issue a certificate of completion to a participant who has
successfully completed the program. The provider shall also notify the board or
its designee in writing of its determination that a participant did not
successfully complete the program. The provider shall fail a participant who
either was not actively involved in the case or demonstrated behavior
indicating a lack of insight (e.g., inappropriate comments, projection of
blame). This notification shall be made within 10 calendar days of that
determination and shall be accompanied by all documents supporting the
determination.
1. New section
filed 8-4-2009; operative 9-3-2009 (Register 2009, No.
32).
Note: Authority cited: Section
4005,
Business and Professions Code. Reference: Section
4300,
Business and Professions Code.