More facetime with patients. Improved efficiency. Shorter wait times.
You already know how valuable a certified technician is to your pharmacy. But you should be aware that starting on January 1, 2020, the certification for technicians will be changing.1 The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) has updated their Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) and the requirements for the Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) Program.1,2
The current high school diploma requirement is being replaced. Starting in the new year, CPhT applicants will be considered eligible for the PTCE after fulfilling an education/training program or equivalent work experience.3
Most likely, new candidates will choose to take the training program path to become eligible. The education programs that are recognized by PTCB will include areas of study that are focused on the newly updated PTCE content. Those who are enrolled in non-recognized programs will not be eligible to take the PTCE after New Year’s Day, unless they can qualify through the work experience option.3
For veteran technicians, who have not previously completed a recognized education program, being able to use their work experience makes it easier to fulfill their requirements. Starting in 2020, techs will need a minimum of 500 hours and attest to specified knowledge to pursue a certification.1
The updates were a result of PTCB’s 2016 Job Analysis that involved 40,000 technicians from across the nation. So, it’s clear that PTCB values industry-specific knowledge over general high school education. From a staffing and training perspective, instead of hoping someone can learn how your pharmacy works, you now know they have the necessary skills before they even walk in the door.
Training and education are only as good as the programs that offer them. To that end, PTCB is ensuring schools and learning centers are remaining in lockstep with the changing landscape.
Educators accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and Accrediting Bureau of Health Schools (ABHS) are also recognized by the PTCB for the CPhT.3
ASHP/ACPE recently updated their standards from six to 15 for the development of pharmacy technician programs. These principles are intended to ensure techs are properly educated, define competencies that differentiate between entry-level and advanced training, and document achievement. While these guidelines went into effect in January 2019 for new programs, existing programs are required to meet the new criteria just as the changes to the CPhT take effect.5
For those not accredited by PTCB, directors can submit an application and attestation for approval.3
Through this process and independent audits, PTCB is trying to maintain a consistency in curriculum across the country, which can only help make things easier when administrators are dealing with endless resumes and applications.
The PTCE has been streamlined to focus on the topics that are applicable across practice settings. So, instead of nine knowledge domains, the new content will be organized into four categories:4
While most of the content from the current exam will be folded into these new domains, some content was removed with the expectations that it will be accounted for by training requirements.3
Just as assuredly as there will be ringing phones, insurance complications, and impatient patients, the new year will usher in change. For your newly certified pharmacy technician applicants, this means showing a commitment to creating a career for themselves. For you, it means feeling confident your techs will continue keeping your pharmacy running smoothly and your patients happy.
To learn more about the changes to the CPhT and PTCE, visit www.ptcb.org.
Founded in 1996, Pharma Logistics is the trusted, proven industry leader in reverse pharmaceutical distribution services, including rapid credit, box and ship, onsite and drug take back programs. Pharma Logistics’ clients include hospital pharmacies, the DOD and VA Health System, independent pharmacies, pharmacy chains and physicians’ offices.