California Code of Regulations › Title 16 - Professional and Vocational Regulations › Division 17 - California State Board of Pharmacy › Article 8 - Prohibitions and Discipline › Section 1773.5 - Ethics Course Required as Condition of Probation

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 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.