Technical Standards

A candidate for the PharmD degree must possess abilities and skills which include those that are observational, communicational, motor, intellectual-conceptual (integrative and quantitative) and behavioral and social. Technological and other means to facilitate these abilities and skills can be made for certain limitations, however, the candidate should be able to perform independently in most situations. The College of Pharmacy is committed to ensuring student success by any reasonable means or accommodations to complete the Doctor of Pharmacy program.

• Observation: The candidate must be able to acquire a defined level of required information as presented through demonstrations and experiences in the basic and clinical sciences, including, but not limited to, information conveyed through physiologic and pharmacological images and demonstrations. Furthermore, a candidate must be able to:
  • Observe and evaluate a patient accurately, at a distance and close at hand, with or without standard medical instrumentation, to acquire information from written documents, and visualize information as presented in images from paper, films, slides or video. Observation and evaluation require the functional use of visual and auditory as well as somatic senses.
  • Integrate graphic images and digital or analog representations of physiologic phenomenon with or without the use of assistive devices.
• Communication: A candidate must be able to elicit information, describe changes in mood, activity and posture, and perceive non-verbal communications. A candidate must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively with patients and their families. The candidate must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in oral and written form with all members of the healthcare team, which includes settings in which rapid decisions must be made.
• Motor: It is required that a candidate possess the motor skills necessary to perform basic physical assessment procedures, medication administration, medication preparation and to utilize laboratory and diagnostic equipment. Such actions require coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements, equilibrium and functional use of the senses of touch and vision.
• Intellectual-Conceptual (Integrative and Quantitative) Abilities: The candidate must be able to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, integrate and synthesize information and concepts. In addition, the candidate must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures. Problem-solving, the critical skill demanded of pharmacists, requires all of these intellectual abilities. The candidate must be able to perform these problem-solving skills in a timely fashion.
• Behavioral and Social Attributes: The candidate must possess the emotional capacities required for full utilization of their intellectual abilities and accept responsibility for learning. This includes the exercise of good judgment, the prompt completion of all responsibilities attendant to the care of patients, and the development of mature, sensitive and effective relationships.

The candidate must be able to work collaboratively, accept constructive feedback, display flexibility, adapt to changing environments, and function effectively under stress.

If you have any questions about these standards or other policies as they pertain to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the ADA Coordinator and Director, Academic Support at ADA.coordinator@rosalindfranklin.edu.