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Assessor Instructions for Evaluating Injection Technique

Pharmacy Technician Injection Demonstration Instructions

As a requirement of successful completion of the MPA Pharmacy Technician Immunization Administration Training Program, each pharmacy technician learner is expected to successfully demonstrate two intramuscular and one subcutaneous injection. Below outlines the details to help you successfully complete this component of the training program.

Pharmacy Technician Learner Responsibilities:

  • Identify a pharmacist immunizer who meets the eligibility requirement listed below to serve as your proctor.
  • Provide the pharmacist proctor with the Pharmacist Proctor Instructions and Injection Technique Assessment Form in advance to ensure he/she will serve in this capacity and meets the eligibility requirements.
  • Schedule an appointment with the pharmacist proctor to observe and evaluate your injection technique.
  • Obtain the list of supplies that will be needed to perform your injection technique demonstration as listed below:
    • Normal saline for injection – NOTE: It is not acceptable to utilize or document use of real vaccines during the demonstration.
    • Alcohol swabs
    • At least three syringes with a 1- to 1½-inch needle for intramuscular (IM) injections – good to have an extra syringe.
    • At least two syringes with a ⅝-inch needle for a subcutaneous (SC) injection – good to have an extra syringe
    • Utilize at least two types of safety devices during your demonstration.
    • Access to a Sharps Container – if homemade, you will need to explain to the pharmacist proctor how you will legally dispose of the container after this activity
    • Required PPE as stated by state/organization. If there is no direction, use gloves and mask at a minimum.oBandages - Consider barrier bandages (eliminates need for cotton balls and more bandages)oCotton balls
  • Meet the pharmacy proctor on the scheduled date and time with supplies.
  • Successfully demonstrate two intramuscular injections and one subcutaneous injection into a friend and/or partner’s arm using sterile normal saline for injection and at least two types of safety devices. It is not acceptable for the pharmacist proctor to be the recipient of the injections and also observe technique.
  • Provide the pharmacist proctor with a copy of the Injection Technique Assessment Form to document his/her observations.
  • Complete the Injection Technique Documentation Form (see below) by providing your printed name, signature and your technician license number to Injection Technique Documentation Form.
  • Complete the pharmacy proctor’s Injection Technique Assessment Form.
  • Submit your Injection Technique Documentation Form and the pharmacist proctor’s Injection Technique Assessment Form

Pharmacists eligible to serve in this important role as a proctor must meet the following requirements:

  • Previously completed the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Pharmacy-based Immunization Delivery certificate program successfully
  • Experienced immunizer (at least one year actively providing immunizations).

Pharmacist Proctor Instructions

Thank you for serving as a proctor for a pharmacy technician who has taken the MPA Pharmacy Technician Immunization Administration Training Program. As a requirement for completing the MPA training program, each pharmacy technician must schedule his/her own personal appointment with a proctor to successfully demonstrate two intramuscular and one subcutaneous injection as a requirement of completing the MPA Pharmacy Technician Immunization Administration Training Program.

Pharmacists eligible to serve in this important role as a proctor must meet the following requirements:

Pharmacist Proctor Responsibilities:

  • Have the pharmacy technician learner successfully demonstrate two intramuscular injections and one subcutaneous injection into a friend and/or partner’s arm using sterile normal saline for injection and at least two types of safety devices. It is not acceptable to utilize or document real vaccines during the demonstration. Note – the pharmacy technician learner is responsible to secure the necessary supplies for the demonstration component of the MPA Pharmacy Technician Immunization Administration Training Program. It is not acceptable for you as a proctor to also serve as the person receiving the injections.
  • Observe and evaluate all three pharmacy technician’s injections. If the pharmacist proctor does not see an injection, it does not count and must be repeated.
  • Once all three injections are done, the pharmacist proctor will complete the Injection Technique Assessment Form and indicate whether the pharmacy technician learner’s injection technique is acceptable or needs additional training. If the pharmacy technician learner needs additional training/practice before the pharmacist proctor can attest that the pharmacy technician learner’s technique is acceptable, the pharmacy technician learner can try again at a time that is acceptable for the pharmacist proctor.
  • Complete the Injection Technique Assessment Form.
  • Affix your printed name, signature and your pharmacist license number to attest that the pharmacy technician learner’s injection technique was successful. (Do not sign the attestation segment of the Injection Technique Assessment Form if the pharmacy technician learner has not demonstrated successful injection techniques for intramuscular and subcutaneous injections.
  • Submit the form to MPA.