Criteria

The COP has an ethical responsibility for the safety of patients and to graduate candidates for pharmacy licensure who are competent and capable to meet the essential functions of pharmacy practice. The technical standards established by the college faculty require students to master the physical, cognitive and behavioral capabilities for successful admission, promotion and graduation. The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education requires U.S. colleges and schools of pharmacy to define the technical standards.

All students are held to the same academic and technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodation, to complete all aspects of the professional education program. Disclosure of disabilities is not required; however, students who fail to comply with the standards and do not seek accommodation are in jeopardy of academic failure and possible dismissal. The college encourages consultation with the assistant dean of student affairs if a student feels the standards cannot be met. Students must be able to accomplish all of the following:

Observation

• Observe lectures, demonstrations, experiments and practice-based activities in the basic and pharmaceutical sciences.

• Observe physiologic and pharmacological demonstrations, evaluation of microbiological cultures and microscopic studies of organisms and tissues and in normal and pathological states.

• Observe a patient accurately at a distance and close at hand, noting verbal and nonverbal signals.

• Meet the specific vision-related requirements, such as read information on a computer screen, projected slides and overheads, read written and illustrated material and discriminate numbers and patterns associated with diagnostic and monitoring instruments and tests.

• Evaluate visible patient signs and symptoms for the purposes of monitoring drug therapy.

Communication

• Communicate effectively, sensitively and rapidly with patients and members of the health care team and convey a sense of compassion and empathy.

• Speak, listen, read and write in the English language.

• Effectively communicate with instructors and peers.

• Communicate with health care practitioners specifically in reviewing and recommending verbal and written drug therapy orders.

• Elicit information from patients, describe changes in mood, activity and posture and perceive
  nonverbal communications.

• Read and record observations and care plans legibly, efficiently and accurately.

• Complete forms or appropriately document activities according to directions in a complete and timely fashion.

Sensory and motor coordination or function

• Execute all aspects of processing multiple types of drug orders and compounding of medications.

• Engage in safe and aseptic handling of sterile preparations.

• Safely and effectively operate appropriate equipment, including but not limited to microscopes, computer keyboards, glucose monitors and peak flow meters.

• Execute motor movements reasonably required to participate in the general care and emergency treatment of patients.

Intellectual, conceptual, integrative and quantitative abilities

• Identify three-dimensional relationships and the spatial relationships of structures.

• Solve problems involving measurement, memorization, calculation, reasoning, analysis, synthesis and evaluation rapidly in a multi-task setting.

• Synthesize knowledge and integrate the relevant aspects of a patient’s history, physical findings and
  monitoring studies.

• Obtain, retrieve, evaluate and deliver information in an efficient and timely manner.

• Provide a reasonable explanation and analysis of the problem and determine when additional information is required.

Behavioral and social attributes

• Possess the emotional health required for full use of their intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment and the prompt and safe completion of all responsibilities.

• Adapt to change, to display flexibility and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties and stressful situations.

• Possess compassion, integrity, interpersonal skills, motivation, empathy, respect and concern for others.

• Describe the legal and ethical aspects of the practice of pharmacy and function within the guidelines established by the law and by the ethical standards of the pharmacy profession.

• Function effectively in situations of physical and emotional stress.

• Analyze appropriate suggestions and criticism and, if necessary, respond by modification.

• Exercise good judgment and prompt completion of all responsibilities involved in the pharmaceutical care of patients in a sensitive and effective manner.

• Have the capacity to develop professional, mature, sensitive and effective relationships with patients.

• Develop the skills necessary to instruct and supervise technical personnel assisting with the delivery of
  pharmaceutical services.

It is our experience that a number of individuals with disabilities, as defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, are qualified to study and work as health care professionals and scientists with the use of reasonable accommodations. To be qualified for health sciences programs at MBKU those individuals must be able to meet both our academic standards and the technical standards, with or without reasonable accommodations.

For further information regarding services and resources for students with disabilities and/or to request accommodations, please contact the Office for Student Affairs.