Pharmacy Diabetes Training For Pharmacists & Technicians

Maintaining competency in the treatment of diabetes is crucial for all healthcare professionals. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), there were 37.3 million Americans, roughly 11.3% of the population, with diabetes in 2019. Unfortunately, 8.5 million of those individuals were undiagnosed. In addition, there were 96 million Americans over the age of 18 who had prediabetes. To further emphasize the importance of proper management, there were 87,647 deaths in 2019 directly attributed to diabetes and an additional 282,801 mentions of diabetes on the death certificate.  

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The Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES) encourages innovative education, management, and support of individuals with prediabetes and diabetes. They describe the benefits of providing diabetes education, which include: 

• Increased utilization of primary care and preventative services 
• Improved medication adherence  
• Better glycemic control 
• An overall decrease in health costs 

 

A study completed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) focused on the impact of education on diabetes self-care. An education program called Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) was utilized in the study of US adults with diabetes over the age of 18. The participants were asked if they followed any of the following self-care practices: 

• Refraining from smoking 
• Daily blood glucose checks 
• Inspecting feet daily for sores or injuries 
• Following a regular physical activity routine 
• Receiving a pneumonia vaccine 
• Hgb A1C testing twice a year 
• Annual eye examinations 
• Receiving flu vaccinations 
• Annual health care visits 
• Annual foot examinations by a medical professional 

This study revealed that 25% of those who completed the education program versus 10% of study participants who had never received diabetes education followed 90% or more of the self-care practices. 

These statistics and studies underline the importance of diabetes management education on the overall quality of life and health outcomes for those with prediabetes and diabetes. This blog post will review the freeCE Online Diabetes Certificate Course Hands-on Diabetes: A Practical Way to Manage Diabetes, which focuses on the latest information for managing diabetes.  

 

WHAT IS THE HANDS-ON DIABETES COURSE? 

The Hands-On Diabetes course is for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians and provides access to on-demand modules essential for patients seeking advice on managing their diabetes.  

Our Hands-On Diabetes course consists of six modules, including using a glucometer, administering injectables, hypoglycemia management, and more. This course is customized for pharmacists and pharmacy techs to provide the knowledge needed to serve your patients best.  

The Hands-On Diabetes course presents diabetic care through straightforward instruction with in-depth videos to train you on the latest diabetes management. We make learning the basics of managing diabetes engaging with an expert instructor, industry-specific vocabulary, and lessons you can access anywhere, anytime, on any device with internet access.   

Course faculty is Samuel Grossman, PharmD, PhD, CDCES, FACDCES. Dr. Grossman is a clinical pharmacy specialist in the primary care department of VA New York Harbor Health Care System (NYHHCS). Dr. Grossman is also an instructor at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Colorado. 

 

COURSE DETAILS: HANDS-ON DIABETES – A PRACTICAL WAY TO MANAGE DIABETES 

• Discover how to serve your diabetic patients. 
• Foundational diabetes knowledge. 
• Learn to educate patients on the importance of managing diabetes  
• Taught by ADCES’s 2021 Diabetes Care and Education Specialist of the Year Award recipient 
• Made for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. 
• Affordable education specialist certificate.  
• Instantly downloadable certificate upon completion.  
• Earn 6 hours of CE. The course meets CE requirements from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). 
• The course is accredited by the Accreditation Council For Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and meets all state and national requirements. 
• Instant CE reporting to accrediting bodies allows you to apply your hours as soon as you complete the course. Compatible with CPE Monitor from the NABP and CE Broker. 

 

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE HANDS-ON DIABETES COURSE? 

The Hands-On Diabetes course consists of six lessons covering what you need to know to provide your patients with the latest diabetes management.  

 

LESSON 1 – INTRODUCTION 

• Recognize the role of a pharmacist in providing diabetes education 
• Identify the benefits of medication treatment management for diabetes care 
• Recognize appropriate counseling points for patients with diabetes in the pharmacy 

 

LESSON 2 – USING A GLUCOMETER 

• Compare and contrast the most common glucometers 
• Identify steps of how to use a glucometer 
• Recognize the variables that impact blood glucose readings from a glucometer 

 

LESSON 3 – BLOOD GLUCOSE MONITORING USING A CONTINUOUS GLUCOSE MONITOR (CGM) 

• Compare and contrast CGM devices 
• Recognize step-by-step details of how to put on a sensor for Freestyle Libre and Dexcom G6 devices 
• Identify variables that impact glucose readings from CGM devices 

 

LESSON 4 – INJECTION TECHNIQUES USING A SYRINGE OR PEN 

• Describe the proper insulin drawing technique from a vial 
• Recognize barriers to injection therapy 
• Describe the proper use of the injectable pens 

 

LESSON 5 – SICK DAY AND HYPOGLYCEMIA MANAGEMENT 

• State recommendations for sick day management 
• Identify elements of appropriate management of hypoglycemia 
• Differentiate different ways to prevent hypoglycemia 

 

LESSON 6 – FOOT TESTING AND PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY 

• Discuss diabetes complications that affect legs and feet 
• Recognize appropriate steps for performing a foot exam in a pharmacy 
• Identify available over-the-counter (OTC) and prescribed products for the treatment of peripheral neuropathy 

 

WHY YOU SHOULD CHOOSE FREE CE 

Our unique approach to pharmacy education has made freeCE the industry standard and a favorite learning resource among pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. 

• Live CE is available multiple times throughout the day, so you can easily complete your required live education programs at home and on your schedule. 
• Convenient CE access and on-demand course options. Content is available on your phone, tablet, or computer, allowing you to earn CE wherever you are.  
• Credly Badge – Show off your specialty! Use this awesome badge to show what specialties you have on social media. Collect all the Credly Badges with freeCE. 
• Live, personal customer support is available via webchat. 

 

GET STARTED 

Enroll in the Hands-On Diabetes course today to gain one year of unlimited access to the course and begin your journey to provide your patients with the best diabetes management.  

Earn Your Diabetes Certification

The post Pharmacy Diabetes Training For Pharmacists & Technicians appeared first on freeCE.

source https://www.freece.com/pharmacy-diabetes-training-for-pharmacists-technicians/

CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR PHARMACY TECHNICIANS

Continuing Education (CE) is the best way to stay current in your practice as a pharmacy technician. The pharmaceutical industry is ever-changing, with new medications constantly coming out. Research has become a cornerstone for determining the effectiveness of current therapies and pursuing continuous improvement in practice.  In this blog post, we’ll review the benefits of continuing education, certification bodies, and state board CE requirements for pharmacy technicians, and where to get your CE credits. 

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WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF OBTAINING CE CREDITS? 

Continuing education is critical to healthcare professionals. Staying current with your practice as a pharmacy technician can be beneficial in several ways: 

• Enhanced Skills: Continuing education courses contain the latest information in clinical practice, therapies, and technologies. Implementing the knowledge obtained in these courses will help improve your skills and, ultimately, patient care.  
• Career Advancement: Many healthcare organizations have some form of clinical ladder allowing you to progress to higher levels of pay and responsibility. Obtaining and maintaining national certification as a pharmacy technician can be a requirement for these higher-level positions. Some organizations also have additional requirements for continuing education above those certification requirements. 
• Regulatory Compliance: Pharmacies are governed by various regulatory bodies that require strict adherence to their requirements. Often, these requirements include minimum levels of continuing education for pharmacy technicians. 
• Patient Safety: The basis of all clinical practice is to provide safe and effective care. Healthcare professionals are entrusted with potentially life-altering care every day. Continuing education allows you to stay on top of advancements in the medical and pharmaceutical industries. Implementing this new knowledge into your practice helps ensure you provide the highest quality care possible.  

 

DO I NEED CE CREDITS FOR MY ROLE AS A PHARMACY TECHNICIAN? 

The answer to this question depends on whether you are certified, have state CE requirements to renew your license, or are required to obtain CE by your employer.  

 

CE Requirements for Certification 

 Let’s talk about certification requirements first. The Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential is available from the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). 

 

CPhT Continuing Education Requirements for PTCB Recertification  

• Complete at least 20 hours of CE during your 2-year recertification period, including one hour on pharmacy law and one hour on patient safety. 
• CE hours earned must be in pharmacy technician subject matter as listed in the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination Content Outline or offered by ACPE-accredited providers with the target audience designation ‘T’ (technician-specific). 

 

Beginning with renewal applications received after September 1, 2020, PTCB accepts a maximum of five (5) CE hours from ACPE-accredited providers with the target audience designation ‘P’ (pharmacist-specific) if the subject matter is contained within the PTCE Content Outline. 

Note: CE hours can only be applied to the recertification cycle in which they are completed and cannot be carried over and applied to future cycles. 

 

CPhT Continuing Education Requirements for NHA Recertification 

Continuing education helps you maintain a high level of knowledge and skill in pharmacy practice. During the two-year period before recertification, certified pharmacy technicians must participate in at least 20 hours of continuing education (CE), including at least one hour of pharmacy law and one hour of patient safety. 

 

Pharmacy Technician Continuing Education Topics 

To be approved, CE credit must be related to pharmacy technician practice. Your submitted credits must include at least one hour of pharmacy law and one hour of patient safety per two-year certification period. 

 

Approved continuing education topics include, but are not limited to:  

• Drug distribution 
• Managed health care 
• Therapeutic issues 
• Communications 
• Pharmacy operations 
• Calculations 
• Drug repackaging 
• Inventory control 
• Drug products 
• Patient interaction 
• Interpersonal skills 
• Prescription compounding 
• Patient safety (at least one hour required) 
• Pharmacy law (at least one hour required) 
• Preparation of sterile products 

 

NHA reserves the right to reject credits not deemed applicable to pharmacy technician practice. 

 

How to Earn Pharmacy Technician Continuing Education Credits 

There are many ways to complete your continuing education (CE) credits. 

CE programs offered by national and state pharmacy associations and pharmacy technician associations will generally be acceptable if related to pharmacy technician practice. 

All of the following are acceptable: 

• Live presentations 
• Internet courses 
• Correspondence courses 
• Workshops 
• In-service training programs 
• Computer-assisted instruction 
• Journal articles with a CE test 
• Audio or video recordings with a CE test 
• College courses in mathematics, life sciences, and pharmaceutical sciences 

 

State Board of Pharmacy CE requirements 

Continuing education requirements for pharmacy technicians can vary greatly from state to state. The board of pharmacy governs these requirements and renewal periods for licensure. As a licensed pharmacy technician, you must understand and follow the renewal requirements for your state, including the number of CE credits. Knowing and following these requirements will allow you to maintain your licensure and keep your practice current to provide high-quality patient care. Here are some examples of state requirements for renewal: 

• Alabama: 6 hours of technician-specific ACPE or board-approved continuing education. 2 of these hours must be live education.  
• District of Columbia: 20 hours, including 16 general, 2 law, and 2 medication safety. 
• Florida: 20 hours, including 18 general education (4 must be live) and 2 medication errors.  
• Georgia: 20 general hours. 
• Illinois: 10 CE is required, eight general education, and one half-hour each for implicit bias, sexual harassment prevention, pharmacy law, and patient safety. 
• Kansas: 20 general hours. 

• Louisiana: 10 general hours. 
• Maryland: 20 general hours. 
• New Mexico: 20 hours, including 19 general and 1 law 
• Oregon: 20 hours, including 14 general, 2 pharmacy law, 2 patient safety/medication errors, and 2 cultural competency. 
• Rhode Island: 10 general hours. 
• South Carolina: 10 general hours. 
• Utah: 20 hours, including 6 live, 13 general, and 1 law. 
• Virginia: 5 general hours. 
• Washington: 10 hours, including 9 general and 1 law. 

 

Employer Specific CE requirements 

Depending on your organization, you may need to meet additional continuing education requirements to maintain your employment. As with the state requirements, these can vary greatly depending on your employer. Many organizations have a clinical ladder for pharmacy technicians, and the continuing education requirements differ based on the level of your current position.  

 

HOW TO STAY CURRENT IN YOUR PRACTICE WITH FREE CE 

There are many options for you to obtain your continuing education to stay current in your pharmacy technician practice. That being said, freeCE stands out as the ideal choice for you to meet your continuing education requirements. 

Our commitment to affordability sets us apart, offering high-quality education without breaking the bank. With an extensive catalog of courses, both live and on-demand, we cater to diverse interests and needs, ensuring you’ll find the perfect fit for your professional growth.  

When you choose freeCE, you’re not just choosing a CE provider; you’re selecting a partner in your journey toward excellence in pharmacy. Join us today and experience the difference for yourself – affordable, comprehensive, and engaging education at your fingertips. 

 

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The post CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR PHARMACY TECHNICIANS  appeared first on freeCE.

source https://www.freece.com/continuing-education-requirements-for-pharmacy-technicians/

Dropped the ball on your CE deadline? No problem. Join us for a day jam-packed with courses that will help you satisfy your CE requirements.

Need CE fast? We’ve got you covered.

If you’ve waited until the last minute to complete your CE requirements, get caught up with us on December 31. We’ll be offering the following courses:

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P <795> – Keys to Compliance with the 2022 Updates in Nonsterile Compounding Standards  

Steven Ziegler, PharmD, MBA | 8:00 AM ET 

USP <795> nonsterile compounding standards have recently been revised and approved for implementation in November 2022. This new revision brings many changes that will impact all facilities that compound nonsterile compounds for human and animal patients. This session seeks to discuss the key changes in the USP <795> standards, identify challenges to addressing and implementing these changes, and discuss some strategies for implementing the changes successfully.

Learning objectives:

• Identify the changes in USP <795> presented in the 2022 standards
• Identify the challenges to implementation of the 2022 USP <795> standards
• Identify strategies to address the challenges to implementation of the 2022 USP <795> standards
• Identify deadlines for compliance with the 2022 USP <795> standards

 

Drug Supply Chain Security Act Overview 

John Malek, RPh, JD, MA | 11:30 AM ET 

Pharmacy personnel need to completely understand their responsibilities under the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA) to protect patients from receiving potentially harmful products. The DSCSA includes specific requirements that pharmacies must follow to prevent the introduction of counterfeit or illegitimate drugs to the marketplace. This session will evaluate the responsibilities of the pharmacy, including prevention, detection, and response initiatives. 

Learning objectives:

• Recognize the intent and purpose of the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA)
• Cite best pharmacy practice standards to maintain compliance with the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA)
• Identify areas of traditional pharmacy practice that will be impacted by the implementation of the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA)

 

The Updated COVID-19 2023-2024 Vaccines: Staying Informed For Another Respiratory Season 

Krista Capehart, PharmD, MSPharm, BCACP, AE-C | 1:00 PM ET

This program provides an overview of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and a crucial update on the 2023-2024 COVID-19 new products and dosages. Recommendations for those 6 months and up, both immunocompromised and not, will be covered. 

Learning objectives:

• Describe the mechanism of action of the XBB.1.5-adapted monovalent approved and authorized COVID-19 vaccines  
• Identify the appropriate Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Updated COVID-19 2023-2024 vaccine recommendations for the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccine for ages 6 months and older
• Recognize appropriate recommendations for CDC Updated COVID-19 2023-2024 vaccines for moderate to severely immunocompromised
• Identify adverse events with the Updated COVID-19 2023-2024 vaccines

 

Become a free CE member today to get unlimited access to all the CE you need

In a world where the healthcare landscape is constantly evolving, freeCE stands out as the ideal choice for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians seeking to meet their continuing education requirements.

What sets us apart is our commitment to affordability, offering high-quality education without breaking the bank. With an extensive catalog of courses, both live and on-demand, we cater to diverse interests and needs, ensuring that you’ll find the perfect fit for your professional growth. 

When you choose freeCE, you’re not just choosing a CE provider; you’re selecting a partner in your journey towards excellence in pharmacy. Join us today and experience the difference for yourself – affordable, comprehensive, and engaging education at your fingertips.

Explore Membership

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