Certificate demonstrates qualifications to administer COVID-19 vaccines

WASHINGTON, DC -- As more pharmacies deliver COVID-19 vaccines across the US, the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), the nation’s leading credentialing organization for pharmacy technicians, launches its new Assessment-Based Certificate in Immunization Administration, and is accepting applications now. The credential demonstrates a Certified Pharmacy Technician’s (CPhT’s) qualification to safely deliver and manage immunizations and related tasks, including preparation, documentation, storage, and disposal.

“Pharmacy technicians are a critical component of the health care workforce that is administering and managing COVID-19 vaccines,” said PTCB Executive Director and CEO William Schimmel. “PTCB’s Immunization Administration Certificate distinguishes the technicians who demonstrate knowledge and skill in vaccine delivery and their commitment to serving patients and communities during this health crisis.”

Candidates must complete a PTCB-Recognized Immunization Administration Education/Training Program to earn eligibility to take the assessment. These programs require live demonstration of successful hands-on technique when administering an intramuscular and subcutaneous injection. In addition to documenting safe immunization delivery to patients, the certificate signifies knowledge and skills in immunization schedules, storage of doses, management of personal protective equipment, and other areas.

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What’s changed?

Recertifying CPhTs will notice a few tweaks in the recertification application process. Here’s what’s different:

• P-specific continuing education (CE) hours: PTCB now accepts up to 5 CE hours with the target audience designation ‘P’ (pharmacist-specific or ‘P-specific’) from ACPE-accredited providers to count toward the required 20 CE hours. This change gives CPhTs more flexibility when selecting CE and supports the work CPhTs are already doing.  

• Mandatory NABP e-profile: As we announced in 2018, CPhTs are required to create an NABP e-profile ID and set up their NABP CPE Monitor account in order to recertify. Applicants who have not done so will be unable to submit their renewal application until they visit nabp.pharmacy and create their e-profile. After creating their e-profile, they can return to ptcb.org to recertify. Applicants must check that their CE hours are recorded correctly in CPE Monitor. 

• Proof of completion of CE hours entered manually: Applicants earning CE hours from non-accredited CE providers must manually enter these CE hours and are required to upload documentation of CE completion to their application. CPhTs who have tracked all their completed CE hours in CPE Monitor do not need to enter their CEs on the PTCB application or submit documentation.

Meet Phil Rosselli, new Chair of CSHP Pharmacy Technicians Task Force. Originally from Branford, CT, he began his career at Walgreens Pharmacy in Branford in February 2006. His sister also had worked in the pharmacy, and the pharmacy manager thought she was such a good worker, he hired Phil without interviewing him. Over the next four years, Phil worked at the Branford Walgreens Pharmacy and received his PTCB certification while finishing high school and going to UConn full time for mechanical engineering. His hard work and customer-centered care landed him a Lead Technician position at Walgreens Pharmacy in Guilford, CT, in February 2010.

Two years later, in March 2012, he leaped to a hospital pharmacy technician position at Yale New Haven Hospital's York Street Campus where he learned sterile and non-sterile compounding skills. However, he truly excelled at pharmacy-based software applications such as Pyxis and Pharmogistics. Because of this, he accepted a position as the Quality Assurance Specialist at YNHH Saint Raphael Campus in 2017, where he finely honed his technological and analytical skills. Finally, in July 2020, Phil moved back to YNHH's York Street Campus as the Pharmacy Technician Supervisor, the first to hold the campus's new position. Phil currently lives in Clinton, CT, with his wife Evanica, a Nursing Educator at YNHH, and his daughter Cecilia.

Through the CSHP Pharmacy Technician Task Force, Phil aims to promote the role and abilities of the pharmacy technician in Connecticut by continuing efforts for technician education, developing recruiting programs to increase membership, and engaging with members to advocate for a growing profession.

Meet Tiffany Gray, Vice-Chair of CSHP Pharmacy Technicians Task Force, born and raised in Connecticut. Tiffany Gray began her pharmacy technician career at CVS Pharmacy in 2003. Tiffany became nationally certified through the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board in July of 2005. Tiffany changed from retail to a hospital setting in 2011 by taking a position at Milford Hospital, then taking a position at Yale New Haven Hospital, where she is currently still employed.

Tiffany started in the IV Room in Central Pharmacy at YNHH, quickly becoming an asset to the IV Room team. While there, she helped to train others and make the IV Room USP 797 Compliant. In December of 2014, she transitioned to a new position, the Quality Improvement Technician. This was the first of its kind at Yale New Haven Hospital and helped start the Medication History Technician Program. She has many roles in this position and is excited to take on the Pharmacy Technician Task Force coordinator's Vice-Chairchair. In this new role, Tiffany hopes to encourage others to pursue the vast opportunities available to pharmacy technicians in Connecticut.

Meet Mounia Belica, Chair-Elect of CSHP Pharmacy Technicians Task Force. Born and raised in Morocco, Mounia immigrated to the United States 10 years ago to start a family. Mounia brings a diverse educational background with an Associate degree in business management, a computer science degree, and experience in accounting and experimental sciences. Thanks to the incentive CTWORKS offered for single mothers, Mounia graduated from the Middlesex Community College Pharmacy Technician Program and obtained her Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) certification in 2013.

Mounia started her career as a Lead Pharmacy Technician at Xpect discount grocery and drug store in Milford, CT, and joined Yale New Haven Hospital Inpatient Pharmacy Services in 2014, where she learned the ins and outs of pharmacy operations. In her role, Mounia excelled as she contributed many cost-saving ideas to improve patient care.

Mounia recently transitioned to the Hartford Hospital night shift MHT team in 2019 to pursue her bachelor's degree in business. She enjoyed direct patient care and transitioned from YNHH Inpatient pharmacy to YNHH MHT beginning of 2020.

As the CSHP Pharmacy Technician Task Force Chair-Elect, Mounia hopes to shed light on the hard work pharmacy pechnicians put forth day in and day out. Mounia will be an outspoken advocate for opportunities to expand the role and career advancement of pharmacy technicians beyond career ladder advancement through continuing education and specialized training and expertise.

PTCB Reaches Milestone with 1,000 Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician (CSPT) Certifications Granted

WASHINGTON, DC -- Less than 3 years since launching its Compounded Sterile Preparation Technician (CSPT) Certification Program, the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), the nation’s leading credentialing organization for pharmacy technicians, has granted its 1,000th CSPT credential. Pharmacy technicians across the US are assuming more advanced roles in many areas of pharmacy, including in sterile compounding, the preparation of medications in a sterile environment to prevent contamination. By earning their CSPT Certification, technicians demonstrate their specialized knowledge and skills, and their commitment to ensuring safety and regulatory compliance in sterile compounding.

Fifth new PTCB specialty certificate is a step toward Advanced CPhT (CPhT-Adv) Certification

WASHINGTON, DC -- The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), the nation’s leading credentialing organization for pharmacy technicians, today launches an Assessment-Based Certificate Program in Controlled Substances Diversion Prevention. By earning the new credential, PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technicians (CPhTs) demonstrate their specialized knowledge in preventing controlled substance diversion across pharmacy practice settings. The new certificate is the first credential with formal training for pharmacy technicians in this area, and is one of five PTCB specialty certificates that count toward becoming an Advanced Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT-Adv). 

According to the American Medical Association (AMA), the nation’s opioid epidemic is escalating as COVID-19 continues. More than 40 states in the US have reported increases in opioid-related mortality and ongoing concerns for those with substance use disorder (SUD) or mental illness. The pandemic is exacerbating many of the conditions that contribute to a rise in SUD, according to the National Institutes of Health. Pharmacy teams face the dual challenges of addressing SUD and COVID-19.

 “Our new program contributes to addressing the escalating substance use disorder crisis during COVID-19. Pharmacy technicians are on the front lines working to serve patients during the SUD epidemic and COVID-19 simultaneously,” said PTCB Executive Director and CEO William Schimmel. “We are committed to advancing patient safety through our credential programs. In addition to recognizing CPhTs with specialty knowledge in diversion prevention, our newest certificate establishes another rung in the pharmacy technician career ladder that advances patient care and pharmacy practice as a whole.”

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New credentials count toward Advanced Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT-Adv) credential

 WASHINGTON, DC -- The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), the nation’s leading credentialing organization for pharmacy technicians, has introduced two new Assessment-Based Certificate Programs, one in Hazardous Drug Management and another in Billing and Reimbursement. The new certificates recognize PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technicians (CPhTs) with specialized knowledge and will count toward becoming an Advanced Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT-Adv).

 “PTCB continues to expand our credential program offerings to support the expanding responsibilities of technicians within the pharmacy,” said William Schimmel, PTCB Executive Director and CEO. “These programs are an opportunity for employers to identify technicians who are dedicated to advancing safety and, in many cases, are capable of leadership roles.” 

 The first program recognizes the achievements of PTCB CPhTs who have demonstrated competency in safe handling of hazardous drugs to minimize the risk of exposure to patients and staff. About 8 million US health care workers, including pharmacy staff, are potentially exposed to hazardous drugs every year, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, creating a risk of adverse health effects, skin rashes, and cancers. These drugs include antiviral medications, cancer therapies, and hormone agents.

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PTCB has launched PTCB Community, a brand-new free social platform for discussion, inspiration, and resources related to pharmacy technicians and their career paths. PTCB invites you to join and share your ideas and thoughts. Learn more and join the discussion.

Are you ready to earn a new PTCB credential? PTCB has launched online proctored exam delivery for all PTCB credential exams during COVID-19. Choose the online testing option to take any PTCB exam, including new Assessment-Based Certificates and CSPT Certification, from your own computer. Read more.
All PTCB credential exam fees are discounted during COVID-19 until further notice. We understand this is a challenging time for many and we are here to support the pharmacy technician community. Read more

CSPT Slide Deck

from May 2, 2020 workshop