1. (1) Delegation: A pharmacist shall not delegate more tasks than he or she can personally supervise and ensure compliance with this rule. A pharmacist may delegate non-discretionary tasks to the following:

   1. (a) Registered Pharmacy Technicians (RPT): are those technicians who are duly registered with the board pursuant to Section 465.014(2), F.S.;
   2. (b) Pharmacy Technicians in Training (PTT): are those technicians who are receiving practical (non-didactic) training in delegable tasks as part of employer-sponsored or non-employer sponsored board-approved pharmacy technician training programs who are not required to be duly registered with the board as pharmacy technicians.

2. (2) Supervision: Delegated tasks must be performed under the direct supervision of a pharmacist who shall make certain all applicable state and federal laws, including, but not limited to confidentiality, are fully observed. The supervising pharmacist, in consultation with the Prescription Department Manager or Consultant Pharmacist of Record, will determine the appropriate methods of supervision based on the following definitions and requirements. No person, permittee, or licensee shall interfere with the exercise of the supervising pharmacist’s independent professional judgment in determining the supervision of delegated tasks.

   1. (a) Direct Supervision: means supervision by a pharmacist who is readily and immediately available at all times the delegated tasks are being performed; who is aware of delegated tasks being performed; and who provides personal assistance, direction and approval throughout the time the delegated tasks are being performed. “Readily and immediately available” means the pharmacist and technician(s) are on the same physical premises, or if not, technology is used to enable real time, two-way communications between the pharmacist and technician(s).
   2. (b) Use of Technology: A pharmacist, as an adjunct to assist in the direct supervision of the pharmacy technician, may employ technological means to communicate with or observe the pharmacy technician. A pharmacist shall make certain all applicable state and federal laws, including, but not limited to confidentiality, are fully observed when employing technological means of communication and observation. If technology is being used to provide direct supervision of pharmacy technician(s), such technology shall be sufficient to provide the personal assistance, direction and approval required to meet the standard of practice for the delegated tasks.

3. (3) Technician Supervision Guidelines

   1. (a) The necessity to support the dispensing or service volume;
   2. (b) The necessity to provide technical support for the clinical services provided;
   3. (c) The level of education, training and experience of the technicians;
   4. (d) Other support personnel including additional pharmacists and pharmacy interns;
   5. (e) The level of education, training, and experience of the supervising pharmacist.
   6. (f) The level of centralized or alternative support such as, but not limited to, remote processing, centralized filling or phone support;
   7. (g) The level of automation or other technology within the pharmacy;
   8. (h) The level of supervision necessary based on the tasks being performed;
   9. (i) Aspects of patient care that require a pharmacist’s or technician’s attention;
   10. (j) The type of medications or other services being offered;
   11. (k) Security measures employed.

   The determination to utilize more than one technician shall be made by the supervising pharmacist, in consultation with the Prescription Department Manager or Consultant Pharmacist of Record, and shall be based on the guidelines as outlined within this section. No person, permittee, or licensee shall interfere with the exercise of the supervising pharmacist’s independent professional judgment in determining whether to utilize more than one technician.

4. (4) Any pharmacy that employs more than one registered pharmacy technician must maintain written policies and procedures outlining their utilization. These documents must clearly define the pharmacy technician’s scope of responsibilities and be readily available for inspection by the Florida Board of Pharmacy or its authorized agents. Additionally, the pharmacy must establish and maintain documentation verifying that each pharmacy technician has received training specific to their job description, delegable tasks, and the policies and procedures applicable to the pharmacy setting in which they will perform these tasks.

Rulemaking Authority 465.005, 465.014(1), 465.0155(1), 465.022 FS. Law Implemented 465.014 FS. History–New 12-31-14, Amended 12-17-18, 11-3-20, 1-18-26.