# Presentation: 715806

## Proposal – USPHS Pharmacist Readiness Training Program (PRTP)

- CAPT Mike Montello
- CDR Laura Pincock

## Background

- HHS OIG Findings – Current readiness training insufficient
- PPM 07-001, Extension of Manual Circular 377
- 87% of Pharmacists meet _or exceed_ OFRD Basic Readiness standards (as of 12/31/06)
- Questions
- How to close the remaining gap?
- Where do we go from here? (i.e. approach, format, resources, topics)
- Proposal - Develop and Implement a   Pharmacist Readiness Training Program consistent with OFRD Life-Cycle training initiative

## Objective of Program

- Increase and enhance the readiness and preparedness skills of _all_ PHS pharmacists
- By extension, improve readiness of PHS and our Nation
- Meet training objectives of Federal guidelines:
- Katrina After Action Report
- S3678 Pandemic and All Health Hazards Preparedness Act
- National Response Plan
- National Incident Management System (NIMS)
- Provide a model for other PHS categories and civilians
- Consistent with OFRD initiatives

## OFRD Readiness ‘Mega-Competencies’ for PHS Officers

**1****st**** four skills are generic to all categories. **
**The final two skills are category-specific.**
*Consciousness of personal character*
*Interpersonal communication*
*Mental agility*
*Cross cultural savvy*
**Preeminent field skills**
**Professional astuteness**
**The proposed program may build off OFRD core competencies and focus on the development of tailored training for pharmacists to assure preeminent pharmacy field skills and professional astuteness**

## Basic Tenets of  Training Program

- Balanced –
- Formats – didactic, Internet, face-to-face, hands-on, etc.
- Includes training, deployment, and leadership experience
- Comprehensive -
- ‘All Hazards’
- Broad range of programs covering clinical, administrative and leadership issues
- Flexible –
- Officers self-select from a _menu_ of programs that appeal to their personal interests or OPDIV work environment
- Assures a mix of skills for the Pharmacy Category
- Use of existing programs
- Incentives –
- Participation and advancement in the program provides tangible benefits to the officer

## Overview of Proposal*

- Multi-stepped system – each step represents an achieved level of experience and skill and builds towards the next step
- _Novice_ (1st PHS career year) – Basic readiness
- _Responder_ (yrs 1 to 5) – Officer prepared to deploy in support role
- _Managerial_ (yrs 6 to 20) – Officers capable of assuming a leadership role
- _Executive_ (yrs 20+) – Officers capable of assuming a senior leadership role

- *All points should be considered suggestions and are negotiable.

## Qualifications for each Step

| Step | OFRD
Basic
Standards | # of
Completed
Training
Programs | # of 
Deployments 
(7+ days) | # of Deployments 
in a Leadership Position
(Supervise 7+ individuals) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Novice 
(1st yr) | Yes | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Responder
(yrs 1 to 5) | Yes | 2+ | 3+ | n/a |
| Managerial
(yrs 6 to 20) | Yes | 5+ | 5+ | n/a |
| Executive
(20+yrs) | Yes | 7+ | 7+ | 3+ |

## Sample Course Options(see packet for additional course options)

- Standard programs for all officers
- Medical Management of Chemical and Biological Casualties (MMCBC)
- Joint Operations Medical Managers Course (JOMMC)
- First Responder
- Incident Response Coordination Team (IRCT) Training
- Pharmacy specific training programs
- Pharmacist Immunization Certification
- Triage for Pharmacists*
- Logistical Considerations for a Field Pharmacy*
- Pharmacist’s Roles in a Crisis*
- Strategic National Stockpile for Pharmacists*
- Regulatory Considerations in a Disaster Response*

- *New programs to be developed by PHS pharmacists

## Potential Incentives

- Altruism
- Promotion Benchmarks
- Public recognition (Response Badge)
- PHS Awards
- Mandatory requirements
-    (similar to PPM-07-001)

## Other Highlights

- Proposal can be implemented quickly with current programs and remaining curriculum built over time
- Cost for PHS to implement now – negligible
-  Longer-term could pursue funding for participation & development of new programs
- Development of curriculum provides an additional venue for officers to participate in preparedness activities (add to qualification matrix)
- Establishes USPHS and Pharmacy Category as leaders in health preparedness activities
- Potential recruitment & retention benefits

## Hurdles to Cross

- Resource needs (Funding, Time, Supervisor approval, etc.)
- To develop programs
- To train officers
- Impact on officers that are unable to participate (i.e., isolated hardship; critical need; limited resources; etc.)?
- Duplication with State pharmacy programs
- Most States do NOT have true Pharmacy specific programs.  Leverage the best of what is available.
- Oversight responsibility (OFRD vs PharmPAC)
- To be negotiated
- Other Issues?

## Recommendation

- Form a Working Group to:
- Assess viability of a Pharmacist Readiness Training Program which dovetails with OFRD training initiatives
- If found viable:
- Provide preliminary guidelines for Training Lifecycle matrix
- Identify suitable programs with emphasis on pharmacy specific programs
- What exists now
- What needs to be developed
- Develop an implementation plan
- Short, Mid and Long-term
- Identify how to collaborate with OFRD and other PACs
- Others?

## Questions/Comments/Discussion?

- _[montellom@ctep.nci.nih.gov](mailto:montellom@ctep.nci.nih.gov)_
_**laura.pincock@fda.hhs.gov**_