Technical Standards for Completion of the Pharmacy Curriculum

In addition to the academic requirements for admission, candidates must possess skills and abilities that will allow them to complete the curriculum successfully and practice the profession of pharmacy.

The Wegmans School of Pharmacy has an ethical responsibility for the safety of patients with whom the students come into contact. Therefore, patient safety is a major factor in establishing requirements for the physical, cognitive, and emotional capabilities of applicants. The University is committed to enabling students with disabilities by reasonable means of accommodations to complete the Doctor of Pharmacy degree program.

Mastery of the pharmacy curriculum is required of all students. Candidates for the Doctor of Pharmacy degree must be able to perform the essential functions in each of the following categories: Observation; Communication; Sensory and Motor Coordination and Function; Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities; Behavioral and Social Attributes; and Ethical Values. 

Essential Functions for Pharm.D.

Essential functions include, but are not limited to:

Observation

A candidate must be able to observe demonstrations and experiments in the basic sciences. A candidate must be able to observe a patient accurately, including skin tone and facial expression. The candidate must be able to observe and interpret presented information.

Communication

A candidate must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively in English with patients, caregivers, faculty/staff, and all members of the healthcare team. The focus of this communication is to elicit information, describe changes in mood, activity and posture, and perceive nonverbal communication.

Sensory/Motor

The candidate must have sufficient motor function and skills necessary to perform basic tasks in the practice of pharmacy. Examples of such tasks may include the compounding of medicinals, administration of drugs, and the provision of basic cardiac life support. Such actions require the coordination of both gross and fine muscular movements.

Intellectual

Problem-solving and critical thinking are key skills to proper performance of the responsibilities of a pharmacist. A candidate must have the ability to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, synthesize, and integrate information that is essential to develop these skills fully. A candidate must be fully alert and attentive at all times in clinical settings.

Behavioral/Social

A candidate must be of sufficient emotional and mental health to utilize fully his or her intellectual abilities, the exercise of good judgment, and the prompt completion of all patient care responsibilities. A candidate must possess the ability to develop mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with patients. A candidate must be able to tolerate physically and emotionally taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. A candidate must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and learn to function in the face of uncertainties inherent in the clinical problems of many patients. A candidate must possess compassion, integrity, interpersonal skills, and motivation to excel in pharmacy practice. The pharmacy student must be able to modify behavior in response to constructive criticism.

Ethical Values

A candidate must demonstrate the highest level of professional demeanor and behavior and must perform in an ethical manner in all dealings with peers, faculty, staff, and patients.

Disqualification from Pharm.D. Program

An enrolled student who ceases to meet any of the above technical standards will be disqualified from the program by the Student Success Committee (SSC). The student may appeal the decision of the SSC to the Wegmans School of Pharmacy Executive Committee. The decision of the Executive Committee is final.