The importance of Continuing Education for Pharmacy Technicians is forever changing.
In today's fast-paced world, there are new developments and medical advancements all the time.
As a result, there is a need for pharmacy technicians to continue their education to stay up to date with the changes in pharmacy practice, expand their knowledge, and stay relevant in their careers.
As a pharmacy technician, continuing education can keep you up to date on the latest in the field as well as refresh your knowledge in the world of pharmacy.
In this article, we will reveal the importance of continuing education for pharmacy technicians and everything you need to get started with continuing education as a pharmacy technician.
Grab a chilled glass of water and relax as I take you through the journey.
What Is Continuing Education
According to the Accreditation Council For Pharmacy Education, Continuing education (CE) for pharmacy technicians is a structured educational activity designed or intended to support the continuing development of pharmacy technicians to maintain and enhance their competence.
A pharmacy technician who is keen on continuing education should choose CE courses that would develop and maintain their proficiency in these six core areas:
· Delivery of patient-centered care
· Working as part of interpersonal teams
· Practicing evidence-based medicine
· Focusing on quality improvement
· Using information technology
· Developing and maintaining safe and effective medication use processes.
Requirements For Continuing Education
To be able to recertify and continue professional development you must:
· Complete a minimum of 20 hours of CE during your 2-year recertification including
1 hour on the subject of pharmacy law
1 hour on the subject of patient safety
·CE hours earned must be in pharmacy technician subject matter as listed in the pharmacy technician certification examination content outline.
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Recertification Fees
The fees for recertification according to PTCB are as follows
· Chpt recertification (every 2 hours) $49
· Late application processing fee $28
· Reprocessing fee $10
Importance of Continuing Education for Pharmacy Technicians
Now, without further ado, let’s look at some of the benefits of continuing education for pharmacy technicians.
Improved Patient Care and Safety
Continuing education for pharmacy technicians provides all the necessary skills and knowledge needed for maximum patient safety.
They learn more about potential drug interactions, mechanisms of action, and drug contraindications.
Getting equipped with this knowledge can help them advise and counsel the patients on how to safely use their medication.
Enhanced Knowledge and Skills
Medical advancements and medical standards do change based on new information. Continuing education for pharmacy technicians will help them stay up-to-date with the latest and new trends in the field
They learn more about the latest medical conditions, the latest drugs, and their interaction. Having such knowledge can make them more effective and efficient in their duties.
Career Advancement Opportunities
Continuing education for pharmacy technician opens doors of many opportunities and make them stand out among others in the marketplace.
They can take on more specialized roles and leadership roles in their workplace as a result of their continuous professional development.
Professional Growth and Development
Through continuing professional education, pharmacy technicians become more knowledgeable and confident in their skills which will in turn lead to professional growth and development.
The benefits of continuing education for pharmacy technicians are numerous. Every pharmacy technician should make continuing education a priority.
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Continuing Education Providers
In this section, we will be looking at some of the Continuing education providers.
However, we need to look at the specific pharmacy technician areas of knowledge listed by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education:
· Pharmacology for pharmacy technicians
· Pharmacy law and regulations
· Sterile and non-sterile compounding
· Medication safety
· Pharmacy quality assurance
· Medication order entry and fill processing
· Pharmacy inventory management
· Pharmacy billing and reimbursement
· Pharmacy information system usage and application
· Verbal communication skills for pharmacy technicians
Now, let’s look at some of the continuing education providers:
1. Michigan Pharmacists Association
2. Us pharmacist
3. Pharmacist
4. Pharmacy Technicians
5. FreeCE
6. Power-pak CE
7. CEimpact.com
8. PharmacyTechCE
9. Pharmacy Times
10. Pharmacy Technician’s letter.
Note this doesn’t mean we recommend or endorse specific educational or CE courses or materials for pharmacy technicians; however, we only share examples of CE providers for informational purposes.
Wrapping Up
In a nutshell, continuing education for pharmacy technicians offers numerous benefits.
These programs enhance knowledge and skills, improve patient care and safety, open up career advancement opportunities, and foster professional growth and development.
By investing in continuing education, pharmacy techs can provide better healthcare services, contribute to the growth of the pharmacy industry, and achieve personal and professional success.
FAQS
What is the important qualification as a pharmacy technician?
At the least, it would help if you had a high school degree or equivalent with on-the-job training before you can become a pharmacy technician.
Read more about the pharmacy technician profession
Can a pharmacy technician become a pharmacist?
Yes, as a pharmacy technician, you can decide to go and pursue a BPharm or pharm D and become a pharmacist. Going back to school with hands-on experience will be an advantage for you over your classmates.
What are the strongest skills as a pharmacy technician?
Attention to detail and accuracy are considered the most important skills you need to have as a pharmacy technician. You need to be able to pay attention to the prescriptions and process them with accuracy.
Written by: Faruq Niniola
IMPORTANCE OF CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR PHARMACY TECHNICIANS
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