Meeting & Agendas

Meeting called to order by the chair, Terry Guilbert. Members introduced themselves.

Next meeting dates are scheduled for July 17, 2009 from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Terry Guilbert adjourns meeting.

Committee members reviewed last meeting minutes from July 28, 2008. The committee members voted to accept the minutes with no corrections.

Computer based testing- Lisa McCartney reported an update on the status of student orientation and having a built in computer training session. Orientation information-computer training- The new student orientation is on the first day of classes. Students are trained on how to access and activate their ACC Gmail accounts and use blackboard. Richard Espinosa stated that it is now becoming important that students have access to Gmail and blackboard for course operation and announcements. By having Gmail, communication with students is more efficient. By having blackboard, students are able to retrieve their homework assignments and check their grades. Richard Espinosa also stated that several PHRA courses have gone to online testing. At the present time, all students who take PHRA 1301, 1309, 1313, and 1205 are taking test online in the computer lab. Lisa McCartney plans to have PHRA 1349 ready for online testing in the future.

Program enrollment and graduate update- Richard Espinosa reported that there are currently 52 students in the pharmacy program; this is up from 37 in the fall semester. He stated that there were 26 new enrollments for the spring semester; 2 students dropped and 4 students decided not to register for unknown reasons. Presently, there are 20 students in the spring admission track. Richard Espinosa reported on the graduate status. In the fall there were 6 graduates from the program. For the spring, there are 12 students who will be graduating and for the summer, there are 12 students who will be graduating. Updated student handbook- Lisa McCartney reported that the Student Handbook has been updated online for incoming students. Tabitha Mercantile stated that the new changes regarding trainee registration are now in effect. The main change for students wanting to register with TSBP for a trainee status is the requirement of having to get finger printed. This new requirement became effective in March 2009. Lisa McCartney will be posting the new requirements on the PHRA website, Student Handbook, and admission application for all new students who applying. This requirement will also be sent to the students in their acceptance letter. The board members recommended that Lisa McCartney contact the Texas State Board of Pharmacy and see if she can arrange for someone to come to the EVC campus and maybe fingerprint all fall applicants at one time as an option to complete this task. QSI automated equipment purchased- Richard Espinosa reported that the QSI automated pill counter equipment had been purchased and is currently being utilized by the students. Marcy May, a PHRA instructor, stated that she is very pleased with the new equipment and it is being used from time to time in course instructions. The students find it easy to use. Medi-Dispenser equipment purchaed- Richard Espinosa reported that a Medi-Dispenser equipment had been purchased. Lisa McCartney stated that the older equipment had been donated to nursing. Lisa McCartney reported that the equipment can be barcode, is portable, and is user friendly. Students are also enjoying learning how to use the equipment. In process in ordering a TPN compounder- Richard Espinosa reported that the program is in the process of ordering a TPN compounder. The paperwork has been initiated and should be complete before the end of the semester. Tutor- Richard Espinosa reported that the program has hired an hourly paid tutor to help the students in the program. The tutor has proven to be a real asset to the program and students. The tutor is available 1 day a week at the EVC campus. If students need one on one help, she is willing to correspond with the students by email or by special appointment. Students find her to be easily accessible and are utilizing her. Terry Guilbert commented that he felt that hiring a tutor for the students was definitely a very wise decision for the program and he felt this hire would prove to be a great asset for the program.

Richard Espinosa distributed the Application Process handout to the members. The Application Process handout is used by the admission office and information office for advising potential pharmacy students. The board members reviewed the handout and made corrections to the handout. The correction will be to add the new requirement that is set by the TSBP. The State Board of Pharmacy as of March 2009 is now requiring that students get finger printed when applying for TSBP trainee license as part of the process. The members voted and by a unanimous vote it was decided that the pharmacy program would accept the Application Process with correction to include TSBP changes regarding the requirement that states that students who apply for trainee license must now get finger printed.
8-7-08 Application Process - http://www.austincc.edu/health/minutes/phra/8-7-08_application_process.pdf

Lisa McCartney provided the members a handout of all current Practicum Affiliation Sites. The members reviewed the handout and were please to see that Lisa McCartney had several new affiliation agreements pending as well as potential future affiliation sites. The members discussed other sites which were not on the list and advised Lisa McCartney to contact them. A motion to approve the work in progress with the affiliation sites was proposed by Terry Guilbert. The members voted unanimously to accept the work in progress.
Practicum Affiliation - http://www.austincc.edu/health/minutes/phra/Practicum_affiliation.pdf

Review and approval of program mission statement- Richard Espinosa updated the Program Mission Statement in the student handbook to align with the college’s mission. The members reviewed the program mission statement and decided to add a statement to further clarify the technician’s role in meeting the community needs. The statement reads as follows: Austin Community College’s mission is to promote student success by providing affordable access to workforce training programs in our eight service areas. To that end, the Pharmacy Technician Program faculty strives to support and provide quality instruction, knowledge, and practical experience to its graduates at a low cost. The goal of the graduate is to successfully pass an exam to gain a national certification as a Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) and to become employable, thus providing optimal pharmaceutical care in our community at an entry level for institutional, community, and other pharmacy practice settings. The program philosophy has been separated to its own category and will be published as written. With these corrections, the members voted to accept the program mission statement and program philosophy and will update them in the student handbook. SWOT process to determine where the program is going in 3 years and 5 years- Richard Espinosa led the discussion of the SWOT process in order to help the advisory board members and program faculty determine where the Pharmacy Technician program is going and to create the three and five years future goals. After a productive discussion by the board members, on the topic of where the program is going, the following items were listed as priority under the under this topic. The advisory board member’s listed that their main concern is in continuing to meet community needs. The advisory members also indicated that they want to continue with the certificate program and offer an optional transferable AAS degree. In addition, the members also want the students to keep up with “current practices”, including legal and quality assurance. 3 Year Goals- In regards to 3 year goals, the members indicated that there first priority is the AAS degree. The members are seeking to get reaccredited. It is also recommended that the program look into becoming an ACPE provider. The members want to pursue keeping up with the current pharmacy technician practices. The members want to see an offer of a Medical Spanish thru CE. In addition, the program wants Medical Reconciliation and Technician order entry programs. Finally in three years, the advisory board wants to duplicate the program at another campus. 5 Year Goals- In the 5 year category, the board members want to duplicate the program at another campus. The board members want to continue to have program growth. It is recommended that the PHRA program look into having an entering summer start class. The final 5 year goal is to continue to keep up with technology changes.
Program Mission Statement - http://www.austincc.edu/health/minutes/phra/Final_mission_statement.pdf

Pharmacy program becoming an ACPE provider- Lisa McCartney introduced the proposal of the Pharmacy Technician program at ACC looking into becoming an ACPE provider. Lisa McCartney sees this as an opportunity to have the edge over other accredited schools. Discussion by the members of the board enhanced the discussing the possibility with the CE side of ACC or even partnering with the Pharmacy school at the University of Texas. The members find that with this offering will definitely be a positive move for the program. Lisa McCartney is instructed to find out more information about her proposal and to report back at the next advisory board meeting.

Terry Guilbert, the chair for PHRA advisory board, resigned and said this is his last meeting he will be attending. Philip Johnston will assume the role as chair for Pharmacy Technician advisory board. The advisory committee members were pleased with the leadership decision. The committee members were excited about the positive forward progression the program has made over the past year.