St. Louis College of Pharmacy Technical Standards for Doctor of Pharmacy Students

Introduction

The St. Louis College of Pharmacy is committed to excellence in pharmaceutical education and the development of competent, compassionate pharmacists. The Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program requires students to demonstrate a wide range of knowledge, skills, and abilities that are essential for the successful practice of pharmacy.

The technical standards described below outline the essential functions that students must possess or be able to achieve with reasonable accommodation to successfully complete the Pharm.D. curriculum and to practice pharmacy safely and effectively. These standards are consistent with the requirements of the College's accrediting body and reflect the expectations of the pharmacy profession.

Cognitive Abilities

Students must demonstrate the cognitive ability to successfully acquire, retain, and apply the substantial body of knowledge necessary for the practice of pharmacy. This includes the ability to:

• Comprehend, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate complex clinical and scientific information
• Solve problems and make therapeutic judgments in a timely manner
• Assimilate information from multiple sources and apply it to patient care
• Identify and understand cause-effect relationships
• Use reasoning skills to determine appropriate interventions
• Recall factual information and construct treatment plans based on evidence-based medicine
• Demonstrate the ability to concentrate in diverse situations and for extended periods

Communication Skills

Effective communication is essential for pharmacists. Students must demonstrate the ability to:

• Communicate clearly and effectively in both oral and written forms with patients, healthcare providers, and the public
• Accurately document patient-related information
• Participate in group discussions and presentations
• Listen to and understand patients' concerns and questions
• Read and comprehend written materials in a timely manner
• Demonstrate effective interpersonal and collaborative skills
• Communicate with empathy and respect for cultural differences

Motor Skills

Students must possess sufficient motor function to perform activities required of a pharmacist. This includes the ability to:

• Perform basic physical examination maneuvers when necessary
• Safely and accurately prepare and dispense medications
• Use appropriate equipment and technology required in pharmacy practice
• Administer immunizations and other medications as permitted by scope of practice
• Perform procedures requiring fine motor skills and coordination
• Respond quickly to emergency situations
• Maintain sustained physical activity for extended periods

Sensory Abilities

Students must demonstrate sufficient sensory abilities to observe and effectively gather information. This includes the ability to:

• Acquire information through visual observation (e.g., reading prescriptions, examining drug products, observing patient conditions)
• Distinguish colors and shades when necessary to differentiate medications
• Acquire information through auditory perception (e.g., listening to patients, healthcare providers, monitoring devices)
• Acquire information through tactile perception (e.g., feeling pulses, examining skin conditions)
• Use computer-based technologies effectively

Emotional and Behavioral Attributes

Students must demonstrate the emotional health and behavioral attributes required for effective pharmacist-patient relationships and to function as part of an interprofessional healthcare team. This includes the ability to:

• Demonstrate compassion, integrity, and concern for others
• Maintain professional conduct and ethical behavior
• Exercise good judgment under stress and in emergency situations
• Accept constructive criticism and respond with appropriate modification of behavior
• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability to changing environments
• Manage multiple priorities and time effectively
• Recognize and acknowledge personal limitations
• Function effectively within a team and contribute positively to group efforts

Ability to Sustain Performance

Students must be able to:

• Complete the entire required curriculum within a defined time frame
• Maintain attention and concentration for periods necessary to safely perform their duties
• Participate in all patient care activities, including those that may occur during evening, night, or weekend hours
• Adapt to rotating schedules, including experiential rotations with variable hours and locations

Reasonable Accommodations

The St. Louis College of Pharmacy is committed to ensuring equal opportunity for all students and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The College will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified students with disabilities to enable them to meet these technical standards.

Students with disabilities who require accommodations should contact the College's Office of Student Services and Accessibility Resources to discuss specific needs and appropriate accommodations. It is the student's responsibility to self-identify and provide documentation of disability and requested accommodations in a timely manner.

Technical Standards Review

All entering Pharm.D. students are required to review and acknowledge their understanding of these technical standards. Students must verify that they can meet these technical standards with or without reasonable accommodation. During the program, if a student's ability to meet the technical standards changes, they must inform the appropriate College officials and may need to undergo reassessment.

Questions and Inquiries

Questions regarding these technical standards or about specific accommodations should be directed to the Office of Admissions or the Office of Student Services and Accessibility Resources at the St. Louis College of Pharmacy.