Decision 4815/QD-BYT 2019 approval of the document on “Core competency standards for Pharmacists in Vietnam”

DECISION

On approval of the document on “Core competency standards for Pharmacists in Vietnam”

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THE MINISTER OF HEALTH

Pursuant to Decree No. 75/2017/ND-CP dated June 20, 2017 of the Government defining the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the Ministry of Health;

At the request of the Director General of the Administration of Science, Technology and Training,

DECIDES:

Article 1. To approve the document on "Core competency standards for Pharmacists in Vietnam" attached to this Decision.

Article 2. Core competency standards for Pharmacists in Vietnam are the required competencies for the Pharmacists in Vietnam when practicing Pharmacy in Vietnam.

Article 3. This Decision takes effect from the date of issuance.

Article 4. The Chief of the Ministry Office, the Director of the Administration of Science Technology and Training, Directors of Departments, Directors General of Directorates under the Ministry of Health; Directors of Departments of Health of provinces and centrally run cities; Directors of hospitals and institutes with beds; Directors of Academies, Principals of universities offering Pharmacy training; Heads of relevant units are responsible for implementing this Decision./.

CORE COMPETENCY STANDARDS FOR PHARMACISTS IN VIETNAM

(Issued together with Decision No. 4815/ QD-BYT dated October 15, 2019)

Part I: GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1. Preface

In recent years, the number of institutions training pharmaceutical human resources at bachelor training level has been increasing, including public and non-public higher education institutions. However, there are differences in training programs, physical foundations, quality of lecturers, and input quality of students and especially the implementation method of the training program, the competency to organize training, and the method of assessment and evaluation of learners of institutions. Therefore, the quality of training products and the quality of pharmacists' practice after graduation are also different. To set the basis for the training institutions to meet professional standards and social needs; for the learners to strive to improve themselves to meet job requirements; for units employing pharmaceutical human resources to evaluate, control, build a human resources team as well as formulate an appropriate structure and compensation regime, the core competency standards for Pharmacists in Vietnam is required.

On the other hand, facing the need for deep regional and international integration, the managers and employers need to have a set of tools to control, evaluate and standardize the quality of human resources.

Recognizing that reality, the Ministry of Health has directed the formulation of core competency standards for Vietnamese Pharmacists with the participation of all relevant parties including experts in the field of training, employers, managers, professionals and social organizations.

During the development process, the Drafting Committee consulted the competency standards of pharmacists from countries in the region and around the world to adjust them to suit Vietnam's circumstances, and at the same time, also aims to integrate the pharmaceutical human resource labor market of countries in the region and around the world.

There are many different approaches and understandings of competency. According to the traditional approach, the competency is a single ability of an individual, formed on the basis of knowledge, skills and attitudes. According to Nguyen Quang Uan, the competency is a combination of unique attributes of an individual that match the specific requirements of a certain activity, to ensure the successful completion of such activity. French psychologist Denyse Tremblay believes that competency is the ability to act, achieve success and demonstrate progress thanks to the ability to mobilize and effectively use an individual's integrated resources when dealing with life's problems. Or recently, in the workshop document of the comprehensive general education program in the program of the Ministry of Education and Training, it was explained that "the Competency is the mobilization of a combination of knowledge, skills and other personal attributes such as interest, belief, will, etc. to perform a type of work in a certain context". Thus, it can be said that the competency is the synthesis of individual human attributes that meets the requirements of activities and ensures that activities achieve high results.

Competency framework: means a system specifying the necessary behaviors of competencies at different levels, applied to different positions in enterprises and organizations for successful completion of roles/jobs.

Competency standard: means levels of qualifications and abilities that meet actual work needs, recognized through assessment and verification under the professional competency standards.

Professional competency: means the compatibility between human psychological and physiological attributes with the requirements set by the profession. Each different career will bring different specific requirements, but in short, the professional competency is made up of 3 components: professional knowledge, skills and responsibilities, professional practice attitudes.

The competency and professional competency are not available but are formed and developed continuously through study, active work and professional practice. The competency has two basic characteristics: i) The competency is revealed through activities; ii) The competency ensures the effectiveness of activities.

The professional competencies can also be divided into core competencies and specialized competencies. Each professional activity requires four core competencies: personal competency, specialized competency, management competency and social competency.

2. Necessity of core competency standards for pharmacists in Vietnam

For society:

Strengthen social supervision with commitments to training quality from the training disciplines and the training institutions.

Limit and overcome the situation of providing unqualified medical services or errors due to lack of competency.

For establishments employing and managing human resources:

Standardizing the core competencies of pharmacists in Vietnam is the basis for assessing the quality of human resources, controlling the quality of human resources, building salary and bonus regimes, evaluating work performance, and determining the gaps in skills and competencies to have appropriate training and further training strategies. The competency standard is also an important basis for employee training, succession planning and change management.

It is an important basis to be able to implement the national exam to grant pharmacist practice certificates under the trend of integration with countries in the region and the world.

This is important information to help the Ministry of Health in particular and the State in general plan appropriate policies and regulations in the arrangement and employment of human resources.

For training institutions and learners

It is an important basis for educational institutions training pharmaceutical human resources to build output standards, innovate training programs, and organize training to meet professional standards and social needs.

It is a basis for pharmacy students to strive and self-evaluate and improve themselves during their studies and after graduation.

Link training activities of training institutions with professional reality.

For international integration:

It is the basis to compare the quality of pharmaceutical human resources, promote the integration process, and recognize diplomas between Vietnamese pharmacy training institutions and pharmacy training institutions of countries in the region and around the world.

3. Basis for formulating core competency standards for pharmacists in Vietnam

- Resolution No. 20-NQ/TW dated October 25, 2017 of the Party Central Committee on enhancement of citizens’ health protection, improvement, and care in new situation.

- Resolution No. 29-NQ/TW dated November 4, 2013 on fundamental and comprehensive innovation of education and training.

- The Law on Medical Examination and Treatment No. 40/2009/QH12 dated November 23, 2009 of the National Assembly.

- The Law on Pharmacy No. 105/2016/QH13 dated April 6, 2016 of the National Assembly.

- Decree No. 54/2017/ND-CP dated May 8, 2017 of the Government detailing a number of articles of and providing measures for implementing the Law on Pharmacy.

- Decree No. 155/2018/ND-CP dated November 12, 2018 amending and supplementing some articles related to business conditions under state management of the Ministry of Health.

- Decree No. 75/2017/ND-CP dated June 20, 2017 of the Government Defining the functions, tasks, powers and organizational structure of the Ministry of Health;

- Joint Circular No. 27/2015/TTLT-BYT-BNV dated October 7, 2015 of the Ministry of Health - the Ministry of Home Affairs regulating codes and standards for pharmacy professional titles.

- Circular No. 07/2015/TT-BGDDT dated April 16, 2015 of the Ministry of Education and Training promulgating the process of developing, evaluating and validating undergraduate, master and doctorate degree training programs.

- Decree No. 111/2017/ND-CP dated October 5, 2017 of the Government on the provisions of practical training in the field of healthcare service.

- Decision No. 1981/QD-TTg dated October 18, 2016 of the Prime Minister approving the framework of the national education system.

- Decision No. 1982/QD-TTg dated October 18, 2016 of the Prime Minister approving Vietnamese’s national qualifications framework.

4. List of reference guidelines and competency standards

1. International Labour Office (2016), “Guideline to develop competency standard”.

2. Commonwealth of Australia (2007), "Research and develop competency standards”, 07, September 2007.

3. Human Resource Association (2015), "Competency framework - Application trend in the context of integration".

4. Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (2015), "National Competency Standard for Pharmacist in Australia".

5. Pharmaceutical Council of New Zealand (2010) "Competency standard for the pharmacy framework for pharmacy profession".

6. The pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (2013), "Core Competency framework for pharmacist".

7. Canadian Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (2014), “Professional Competencies for Canadian Pharmacists at Entry to Practice”

8. International pharmaceutical Federation (2012), FIP education initiative - pharmacy education Taskforce initiatives, A global competency framework.

9. Pharmacy council of Thailand (2002), “Core Competency Framework for pharmacists in Thailand”.

10. Singapore Pharmaceutical Council (2011), “Competency standards for Pharmacist in Singapore”.

11. Ministry of Health (2011), "Core competency standards for nurses in Vietnam" issued together with Decision No. 1352/QD-BYT dated April 21, 2012.

12. Ministry of Health (2014), "Core competency standards for midwives in Vietnam" issued together with Decision No. 342/QD-BYT dated January 24, 2014.

13. Ministry of Health (2015) "Core competency standards for general practitioners" issued together with Decision No. 1854/QD-BYT dated May 18, 2015.

14. Ministry of Health (2015) “Core competency standards for odonto-stomatology doctors” issued together with Decision No. 4575/QD-BYT dated August 23, 2016.

5. Summary of the Draft on core competency standards for Pharmacists in Vietnam

The set of core competency standards for pharmacists is structured under the common framework of the sets of competency standards of countries in the ASEAN region and around the world to meet the requirements of integration and comparison.

The draft on core competency standards for Pharmacists in Vietnam is structured into 07 fields, 24 standards and 84 criteria.

Each criterion is a component of the standard, each standard is a component of the field, covering a task of the Pharmacist.

Part II: CORE COMPETENCY STANDARDS FOR PHARMACISTS IN VIETNAM

FIELD 1. PROFESSIONAL AND ETHICAL PRACTICE

Standard 1.1. Practice in accordance with the law

Criterion 1.1.1. Have basic knowledge of the Vietnamese legal system, the Law on Pharmacy and other legal documents related to pharmacy practice.

Criterion 1.1.2. Comply with Vietnamese law, the Law on Pharmacy and other legal documents related to pharmacy practice, and codes of conduct for medical staff.

Criterion 1.1.3. Practice within the permitted professional scope, comply with professional regulations and in accordance with health conditions.

Standard 1.2. Practice according to the code of professional ethics

Criterion 1.2.1. Always put the safety and interests of the patient first. Respect and protect the rights of patients and customers.

Criterion 1.2.2. Comply with the code of professional ethics in biomedical and pharmaceutical practice and research. Be cautious, meticulous, and precise in practice.

Criterion 1.2.3. Cooperate with the state management agencies; be honest, united, respectful, and cooperative with colleagues.

Criterion 1.2.4. Carry out social responsibility professionally.

Standard 1.3. Practice in accordance with actual circumstances and conditions

Criterion 1.3.1. Recognize and respect the economic conditions, customs, practices, beliefs, religion, and culture of the locality in practice.

Criterion 1.3.2. Adapt to actual circumstances and conditions to carry out independent or coordinated professional activities.

Criterion 1.3.3. Approach patients, customers and the community scientifically, responsibly, with understanding and empathy.

Criterion 1.3.4. Practice based on the principle of fairness, non-discrimination of social sectors.

Criterion 1.3.5. Appreciate the knowledge combination of modern medicine and traditional medicine.

Criterion 1.3.6. Actively and proactively propagate knowledge on community health care and protection. Provide the quality primary health care.

Standard 1.4. Lifelong learning

Criterion 1.4.1. Be aware of the importance of lifelong learning; regularly study, improve qualifications, and apply scientific and technological advances to meet career development requirements and serve social needs.

Criterion 1.4.2. Proactively collect, evaluate and use sources of feedback on their work on systematical, regular and scientific basis to identify appropriate learning and professional development needs.

Criterion 1.4.3. Effectively apply information technology and foreign languages ​​in learning, research and career development.

FIELD 2. COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION COMPETENCY

Standard 2.1. Efficient communication

Criterion 2.1.1. Have knowledge and effectively apply the principles of communication with patients, caregivers, customers, colleagues and the community.

Criterion 2.1.2. Choose appropriate and effective methods when communicating with patients, caregivers, customers of different ages, genders, religions, socio-cultures, languages, and those with difficulties in communication.

Criterion 2.1.3. Recognize, analyze and act to resolve emerging or potential problems; manage and resolve conflicts.

Criterion 2.1.4. Apply communication skills to achieve desired outcomes with patients, caregivers, customers and colleagues.

Standard 2.2. Building of friendly, cooperative, and trusting relationships with patients, caregivers, customers, colleagues, and the community

Criterion 2.2.1. Listen to and share necessary, appropriate and effective information with patients, caregivers, customers, colleagues and the community.

Criterion 2.2.2. Empathize, negotiate and resolve concerns and worries of patients, caregivers, customers, colleagues and the community.

Criterion 2.2.3. Guide, encourage and discuss with patients, caregivers, customers, colleagues and the community in consent-based decision-making and resolution of health issues.

Standard 2.3. Effective collaboration with colleagues and partners

Criterion 2.3.1. Collaborate with colleagues and partners based on the principles of sincerity, respect, care, sharing, negotiation and bargaining.

Criterion 2.3.2. Understand the roles, responsibilities and expertise of pharmacists and other team members. Respect the opinions of other members.

Criterion 2.3.3. Promote effective teamwork. Demonstrate and maintain the key role in teamwork to resolve drug-related issues.

FIELD 3. ORGANIZATION AND MANAGEMENT

Standard 3.1. Planning skills

Criterion 3.1.1. Participate in collecting information, identifying problems, goals and make planning of assigned work.

Criterion 3.1.2. Have ability to participate in some general planning processes of the unit.

Standard 3.2. Effective organization of work

Criterion 3.2.1. Describe organizational principles and be able to identify human resource issues by position in the workplace.

Criterion 3.2.2. Describe the role of individuals in the organizational structure. Implement and contribute to improving and completing procedures and processes at the workplace.

Criterion 3.2.3. Arrange process-based work priorities and comply with work progress according to the plan.

Criterion 3.2.4. Behave and work effectively and professionally with superior managers and subordinate employees (if any).

Criterion 3.2.5. Be independent and autonomous in work, have a positive influence on colleagues. Be aware of and take personal responsibility in the workplace.

Standard 3.3. Communication and decision-making

Criterion 3.3.1. Have ability to receive, process information and make appropriate decisions.

Criterion 3.3.2. Communicate information accurately, completely and convincingly to others in the workplace.

Standard 3.4. Supervision and assessment skills

Criterion 3.4.1. Have skills in self-assessment, self-monitoring of their own work, and self-learning for improvement and development.

Criterion 3.4.2. Be able to detect some existing problems at work and make suggestions to overcome them.

FIELD 4. ASSURANCE OF THE QUALITY OF DRUGS AND DRUG MATERIALS

Standard 4.1. Management of the quality of drugs and drug materials

Criterion 4.1.1. Have general knowledge of the drug quality management system, principles and standards applied in the drug quality management system.

Criterion 4.1.2. Have basic knowledge of analytical techniques commonly used in analyzing and testing the quality of drugs and drug materials.

Criterion 4.1.3. Implement analysis and testing of drugs and drug materials in accordance with the Vietnam Pharmacopoeia.

Criterion 4.1.4. Have ability to participate in the development and appraisal of quality standards for drugs and drug materials.

Standard 4.2. Assurance of drug quality in production and supply

Criterion 4.2.1. Cooperate with the relevant parties to control drug quality during production and supply.

Criterion 4.2.2. Have knowledge and apply good practice principles (GPs) in production and supply.

Criterion 4.2.3. Participate in developing and applying standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure drug quality.

Criterion 4.2.4. Participate in drug quality inspection activities according to actual requirements.

Standard 4.3. Participation in research on assurance of the quality of drugs and drug materials

Criterion 4.3.1. Participate in assessing and analyzing risks and trends in drug quality during the production, supply, storage process and propose measures to ensure drug quality.

Criterion 4.3.2. Have ability to participate in implementing drug analysis techniques in research and development of drugs and drug materials.

FIELD 5. PREPARATION AND PRODUCTION OF DRUGS AND DRUG MATERIALS

Standard 5.1. Production and development of drug materials

Criterion 5.1.1. Have basic knowledge of extraction, biotechnology, semi-synthesis, and synthesis in the production of drug materials.

Criterion 5.1.2. Apply knowledge of extraction, biotechnology, semi-synthesis, and synthesis in development of processes and production of some drug materials.

Criterion 5.1.3. Apply knowledge about plants, drug materials, and traditional pharmacology to create medicinal raw materials.

Standard 5.2. Preparation and production of drugs

Criterion 5.2.1. Have knowledge and skills in conducting research and developing drug formulas.

Criterion 5.2.2. Evaluate the role and influence of materials in the formula, preparation and production process on the stability, safety, availability and treatment effectiveness of the drug.

Criterion 5.2.3. Develop and deploy production processes for a number of conventional forms of preparation.

Criterion 5.2.4. Have ability to organize and prepare some drugs at the treatment establishment.

Criterion 5.2.5. Appropriately, responsibly and ethically apply knowledge about preparation forms and biopharmacy in drug selection and use.

FIELD 6. SUPPLY OF DRUGS

Standard 6.1. Selection of drugs

Criterion 6.1.1. Have knowledge of principles for determining needs and selecting drugs.

Criterion 6.1.2. Make choices of drugs under the needs.

Standard 6.2. Reasonable drug procurement in compliance with regulations

Criterion 6.2.1. Have knowledge of drug procurement principles.

Criterion 6.2.2. Implement processes and procedures in drug procurement according to health policies, insurance policies and related regulations.

Criterion 6.2.3. Develop a backup plan in case of drug shortage.

Standard 6.3. Distribution, dispensing and storage of drugs

Criterion 6.3.1. Have knowledge of drug distribution systems; principles and regulations in distribution, dispensing and storage of drugs.

Criterion 6.3.2. Dispense the right drugs, to the right patient, at the right dose, at the right route and at the right time.

Criterion 6.3.3. Identify and have solutions to minimize the risk of errors that may be encountered in distributing, dispensing and storing drugs.

Criterion 6.3.4. Manage drug inventory effectively.

Criterion 6.3.5. Ensure appropriate information and evidence storage systems in drug distribution, dispensing and storage.

Criterion 6.3.6. Plan and implement drug recall and destruction activities according to regulations.

Standard 6.4. Drug use management

Criterion 6.4.1. Apply the regulations on supply and management of rational, safe, effective and economic use of drugs.

 Criterion 6.4.2. Apply a number of methods to analyze drug lists used at health establishments in drug supply management.

FIELD 7. REASONABLE USE OF DRUGS

Standard 7.1. Participation in developing treatment plans for patients

Criterion 7.1.1. Have the ability to exploit appropriate information related to the patient's disease and medications as a basis for developing a treatment plan.

Criterion 7.1.2. Classify the patients and make plan on treatment with non-prescription drugs in common conditions/symptoms.

Criterion 7.1.3. Be able to evaluate patients' outpatient prescriptions and advise and discuss with prescribers in case of discovering unreasonable prescriptions.

Criterion 7.1.4. Participate in a multidisciplinary team (doctors, nurses, pharmacists) to create appropriate drug treatment plans for the patient.

Standard 7.2. Implementation of treatment plans for patients

Criterion 7.2.1. Be able to advise on non-prescription drugs and appropriate medication regimens for each patient in case of common diseases/symptoms to ensure safety, effectiveness and economy.

Criterion 7.2.2. Be able to advise patients on medication use and self-monitoring measures in case of outpatient treatment. Make sure patients understand the use of medication and know how to handle problems during medication use.

Criterion 7.2.3. Coordinate with doctors to select appropriate drugs and medication regimens for each inpatient according to the treatment plan.

Criterion 7.2.4. Give instructions on medication use to ensure effectiveness and safety for medical staff and patients, and instructions on drug use monitoring.

Standard 7.3. Monitoring and supervision on drug use on patients

Criterion 7.3.1. Monitor drug use based on the patient's treatment plan and clinical progress, advise on adjusting the patient's treatment plan if necessary.

Criterion 7.3.2. Identify problems related to drugs or treatment compliance that arise during the patient's medication use, and propose appropriate interventions.

Criterion 7.3.3. Detect, participate in handling and reporting adverse drug reactions and errors in drug use in patients.

Criterion 7.3.4. Participate in warning procedures and monitoring the use of drugs with a narrow treatment range and high-risk drugs.

Standard 7.4. Participating in activities to promote rational drug use at health establishments

Criterion 7.4.1. Participate in developing and supervising the implementation of drug lists and drug use-related procedures and professional instructions.

Criterion 7.4.2. Implement drug information process at the health establishments.

Criterion 7.4.3. Implement pharmacovigilance process at the health establishments.

Criterion 7.4.4. Participate in scientific research and training activities related to rational drug use.