APhA Connects with Pharmacy Technician Certification Board To Provide Immunization Training

The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) has announced its plans to collaborate with the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) to offer an immunization delivery credential program for pharmacy technicians enrolled in the APhA/Washington State University Pharmacy-Based Immunization Administration by Pharmacy Technicians program.

“This very exciting collaboration builds on APhA’s decades of experience in delivering pharmacy-based immunization training,” said Daniel Zlott, PharmD, BCOP, vice president of professional education resources for APhA.

“The program will ensure that pharmacy technicians who complete the training are well-positioned to support immunization-related services within pharmacies, while the US identifies solutions to meet the increased demand for vaccine services that we anticipate in the face of the upcoming flu season, provision of routine vaccines, and the release of a COVID-19 vaccine,” he said.

The program, developed by APhA and Washington State University, will aid PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technicians (CPhTs) in attaining their Assessment-Based Certificate.

Pharmacy technicians in states such as Idaho, Rhode Island, and Utah, are allowed to provide immunizations to their patients, whereas many other states are currently considering legislative changes that would authorize pharmacy technicians to administer immunizations.

Additionally, pharmacy technicians in all states hold key roles related to providing immunizations, such as helping patients complete vaccine administration record forms, as well as accessing vaccination histories, managing inventory, inputting data, and being responsible for billing.

Other new specialty certificate programs, including those related to billing and reimbursement and hazardous drug management, will roll out sometime this summer. Later this year, the new Controlled Substances Diversion Prevent Program will launch as well. These new programs, including the Immunization Program, comprise 6 new certificate programs that have been launched since last year.

Pharmacy technicians interested in completing APhA Education programs can learn more at www.pharmacist.com/education; technicians ready to apply to the new certificate programs can do so at www.ptcb.org/credentials. 

“Pharmacy technicians are an integral component of optimal pharmacy practice,” said Scott Knoer, MS, PharmD, FASHP, chairman of the PTCB Board of Governors, and APhA chief executive officer and executive vice president. “Offering this credential will support the expanding role of pharmacy technicians as important members of the pharmacy care team focusing on improving the health of their communities.”

Reference:

1. Pharmacy Technician Certification Board Collaborates with American Pharmacists Association To Develop Immunization Credential Program for Pharmacy Technicians. News Release. APhA; June 29, 2020. Accessed June 30, 2020. https://www.pharmacist.com/press-release/pharmacy-technician-certification-board-collaborates-american-pharmacists-association.