Examination Format

Format of Examination Stations - Part II (OSPE)

The Pharmacy Technician Qualifying Examination – Part II (OSPE) consists of both interactive and non-interactive stations.

Each station will require that you complete one or more short tasks such as:

• interacting with a “Standardized Patient” or “Standardized Client” or “Standardized Health Professional” to gather information and resolve a drug-related problem or ethical dilemma
• responding to questions from a “Standardized Patient” or “Standardized Client” or “Standardized Health Professional” and making a referral when appropriate
• documenting or updating information gathered in a patient record
• screening / evaluating new prescriptions
• checking patient records and prepared medications for accuracy 
• compounding a product or checking compounded products and compounding techniques

In any situation, you are expected to use your professional and/or ethical judgement, and act in the best interests of the patient, in order to provide safe and effective patient care. In most instances, you are required to assist the client while the client is present in the station, NOT simply refer the client to another health professional nor indicate that you will call them back later with your response.

Station examples, which are representative of the formats for interactive stations and non-interactive stations, are found in OSPE Sample Stations section.