OAR 855-139-0360: Dispensing: Interpretation

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, a Pharmacist or Intern from the RDSP Affiliated Pharmacy must work with a health care interpreter from the health care interpreter registry administered by the Oregon Health Authority under ORS 413.558 when communicating with a patient who prefers to communicate in a language other than English or who communicates in signed language, unless the Pharmacist is proficient in the preferred language of the person with limited English proficiency. The Pharmacist or drug outlet may not charge for these services. (2) A Pharmacist or Intern who is otherwise required to work with a health care interpreter from the health care interpreter registry may work with a health care interpreter who is not listed on the health care interpreter registry only if the Pharmacist or Intern: (a) Verifies that the Pharmacist or Intern has made a good faith effort needed to obtain a health care interpreter from the health care interpreter registry in accordance with rules adopted by the authority under ORS 413.558 and has found that none are available to provide interpretation; or (b) Has offered the patient the services of a health care interpreter from the health care interpreter registry and the patient declined the offer and chose a different interpreter. (3) A Pharmacist or Intern must provide personal protective equipment, consistent with established national standards, to health care interpreters providing services on-site at no cost to the health care interpreter and may not suggest to the health care interpreter that the health care interpreter should procure the health care interpreter’s own personal protective equipment as a condition of working with the Pharmacist or Intern. (4) A Pharmacist or Intern must maintain records of: (a) Each patient encounter in which the Pharmacist or Intern worked with a health care interpreter from the health care interpreter registry; or (b) Each good faith effort to utilize a health care interpreter from the health care registry for each patient encounter in which the Pharmacist or Intern worked with an interpreter not on the health care interpreter registry and met one of the exceptions in (2) of this rule. (5) The records required in (4) must include: (a) The full name of the health care interpreter; (b) The health care interpreter’s registry number, if applicable; and (c) The language interpreted. (6) Pharmacists, Interns, Certified Oregon Pharmacy Technicians, Pharmacy Technicians and Pharmacies are required to comply with ORS 413.559.