OSPE Sample Stations
Video Sample Stations
The short videos below are provided to assist candidates to become familiar with the OSPE process and to demonstrate some (but not all) types of OSPE tasks or stations. OSPE stations are designed to simulate a variety of tasks and interactions that pharmacy technicians could encounter at entry to practice. After viewing the videos candidates will be more prepared for and comfortable with the OSPE process.
Each task or station is designed to test candidates’ abilities to handle various scenarios as they would in a pharmacy practice setting. There are different kinds of OSPE stations, including:
- Interactions with “standardized patients” (SPs) or “standardized clients” (SCs) who simulate short scenarios that you may encounter at work.
- “Technical tasks” such as preparing a simple compounded product.
- “Quiet tasks” such as checking the accuracy and quality of products or records prepared by someone else.
- “Observation and evaluation” of a video-recorded performance of someone preparing a sterile or non-sterile compound, or other technical task.
Videos of two interactive stations and one sterile compounding station may be viewed by clicking on the links below. The station documents may be read and/or printed from the corresponding links.
The station documents for Video Stations 1 and 2 show how the SP or SC will present the scenario and interact with candidates in a standardized manner, as well as how the candidate will be marked by the assessor who is observing and evaluating the candidate’s communication skills and other competencies demonstrated in the station.
Video Station 1 - Travellers’ Diarrhea
Video Station 2 - Confidential Information Request
Video Station 3 - Sterile Compounding
In the sterile compounding video, you will watch a recording of a pharmacy technician preparing for and making a non-hazardous sterile compound. You will assess the performance by completing the answer sheet provided to you. There are three parts to the video, corresponding to the three parts on the answer sheet.
When the station begins, you will have 3 minutes to review the candidate instructions and answer sheet before the video is played. Then, all three parts of the video will play without any interruption, after which, you will have 1 minute to work on your answer sheet. When the 1 minute is up, each part will be played for a second time, with 1 minute in between each part to answer the questions. Pay close attention to the instructions on the screen and use these instructions to keep track of your time when answering the questions. On exam day, the invigilator will also provide verbal prompts to alert you to the beginning and end of the 1 minute answer time.
DOWNLOAD Video Station 3 – Sterile Compounding (Non-interactive, 3 Parts)
Additional Sample Stations
DOWNLOAD Sample Station # 4 – Checking Dispensed Prescriptions
DOWNLOAD Sample Station # 5 – Checking Prescriptions, MAR and Blister-Pack
DOWNLOAD Sample Station # 6 – Verifying Prescription Information
DOWNLOAD Sample Station # 7 – Teaching a Patient to Use a Device