College Courses and Continuing Education Credits
As noted above, college courses count toward continuing education. According to the PTCB website, the following courses will count toward CE credits:
- Chemistry
- Biology
- Anatomy
- Math
Only one college course will count in each two year recertification period and if audited, you must submit an official transcript.
Online CE Opportunities
There are countless sources of CEs online. Most, if not all will require you to set up an account, but most of them are also free. This is an alphabetical listing of some of the common sites; personally, I think PowerPak is the best.
- American Pharmacists Association - Currently has a very interesting CE available about Dextromethorphan abuse. The website isn't really user-friendly, but it'll suffice. There are easier places to do your CEs if you're not very computer savvy.
- Illinois Counsil of Health-System Pharmacists - Not a lot of online CEs, but if you live in Illinois, this might be worth your time.
- National Pharmacy Technician Association - a decent collection of live and online CEs. Free for members and $15.00 for nonmembers. Becoming a member is just a simple online registration, but it is expensive. (Not worth it given some of the free sites out there).
- Pharmacy Technician's Letter - I think PTCB may give these guys your address, because I get physical mail from them all the time. You have to pay for most of their CEs.
- Pharmacy Times - a lot of free online CEs. My second favorite CE site. Might be my favorite but the navigation's a bit wishy-washy.
- PowerPak - This is the site I recommend for CE's. Almost all of the CE's are free and most of the time they have at least one law CE available.
- RX School - Several online Webinars (all of which cost some money) as well as print-based CEs. Not bad.
- USPharmacist.com - a lot of really interesting CE's. At least one new one a week and several free ones (not all).
Many of these will allow access to the articles without being a member (though you have to be registered to take the test). The tests are usually pretty easy and follow the reading. Just pay attention and good luck!
I don't think pharmacy technician need lot of education in his pocket to earn a job... he should just have a clear idea on the machines and products which he works on.. :D
ReplyDeleteTechnician Education Requirements
Fredrick,
ReplyDeleteAs much as that's true, the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) requires that certified techs perform 20 hours of continuing education during every two year period to maintain their certification through the PTCB. Many, but not all, states require certification (and some exclusively accept PTCB certification) to work as a technician within the state. This post wasn't intended to touch on the need for on-the-job training and knowledge of pharmacy-specific procedure, but rather to inform them as to how to maintain their certification once they obtain it.
Thanks for you comment :)
While most pharmacy technicians can get by on little education, I feel like the more knowledge they have, the better they can facilitate the pharmacist (they can perform their job better). All too often technicians don't understand the consequences of their actions. A better educated technician will be more aware of drug to drug interactions and other problems that chould arise. They will have to ask the pharmacist less "stupid questions" and they will be able to point out potential issues to the pharmacist better. Furthermore they are less inclined to make a mistake. While a pharmacist does check all of the tech's work, the way in which pharmacy has evolved, this does not necessarily mean that the pharmacist sees the patient profile on the computer. Often he or she is relying on the software and the technician to inform him of potential problems.
ReplyDeleteAbove all else, I personally feel like pharmacy technicians aren't required to be knowledgeable enough. Saying that pharmacy technicians shouldn't need continuing education is similar to defending mediocrity.