Re: NHA Pharmacy Technician exam

May 21, 2006

according to the* card and letter

I forgot to mention that my state is not one of the really strict ones

that requires certification or licensing.

Also, once I have taken the PTCB exam and hopefully passed, do you

think I should continue to take CEs for BOTH the NHA and PTCB, or just

the PTCB? I was told that it looks better to do both, can't go wrong

that way, but I'm still not sure. I thought PTCB alone would still be

as good. Any thoughts?

>

> Hi,

>

> I'll be taking the PTCB exam in July as I realize this is the most

> respected certification. I recently took and passed the NHA exam since

> it was offered through the Pharmacy Tech program I was taking, and

> according to card and letter they sent with my results I'm a " CPhT " as

> recognized by them. My question, and I hope it won't be badly-received

> here, is if it is recommended or not at this point since I haven't yet

> taken the PTCE to put on my résumé " CPhT " after my name? If I do, of

> course I'd be including that it is the NHA exam. In the sample résumé

> in the files section here it was recommended to put CPhT after your

> name, but I don't want to be looked at by an employer as misleading if

> they will automatically assume PTCB certification. So if I can put

> CPhT after my name at the top of the résumé, is it recommended to put

> in parentheses that it's through the NHA, even though I'll be

> including the NHA certification info later on?

>

> Thanks!

>

May 22, 2006

Hi allieography--

Many of us are unaware of this organization---- I only learned of it

a few weeks ago during one of my " link jumping " adventures and I try

to stay current and informed with regard to the tech world.

My guess is that the CPhT credential is not exclusive to PTCB, but

like many of us, potential employers may be unaware that other

credentialing organizations exist.

If I were you I would use the credential, but I would also be ready

for a compare/contrast discussion. Maybe even carry a brochure from

each organization.

What immediately impressed me about the NHA programs were the

madatory prerequisits! YES! YES! YES! How many times have I posted

my frustration at PTCB lack of prereqs?!?!?!

One more thing to think about...being the most popular does not

necessarily mean being the *best* or the most respected---its just

better marketing.

The site is worth taking a look at http://nhanow.com/index.htm

Dora

Group Mod

May 23, 2006

Hi Dora,

I never thought of a different certification exam as being better than

PTCB. But I suppose it can be possible. At the very least having

criteria (of which PTCB does not), would make the exam more valid.

I am not concerned with PTCB at this time as they did have ten years

to make necessary changes. I am more concerned about future Pharmacy

Technicians and what exam should be taken and what states will

recognize? Hate to see individuals having to take exams over again.

Speaking of: Here is another place to get national certification.

http://www.ncctinc.com/

National Certified Pharmacy Technician (NCPhT)

Pharmacy Technician is a versatile Career that requires accuracy,

detail, and good communication skills. The Pharmacy Technician

typically works in a hospital or community pharmacy. The job outlook

for certified Pharmacy Technician is excellent. Areas of Study:

Pharmacy Environments, Pharmacy Regulations, Naming Drugs and Usage,

Abbreviations, Dosage Forms, Handling Drug Orders, Systems of

Measurement and Conversion, Math & Proportions, Interrupting

Prescriptions, Substance Abuse, and Dosage Calculations.

Requirements:

1. High School Diploma or equivalent.

2. A graduate of an approved course of study as a Pharmacy Technician

or documentation of at least one year of experience as a Pharmacy

Technician.

3. Pharmacy Technician applicants must not have been convicted of a

felony.

Joe Medina, CPhT

May 24, 2006

Dear Joe, Dora and All,

I have to admit that I am VERY skeptical of any testing association

who also makes MORE money from 'continued education'!

This ncctinc.com linc does just that a from what I can tell!

PTCB is for both retail and hospital techs. It requires CE but does

not require that you purchase a specific CE. In FACT they do NOT care

if you get your CE from a FREE source! Which I happen to advocate!!

But you MUST get their CE which proceeds to charge another arm and a leg.

NO I am not interested in supporting this certification!

In adddition the site's (companies')disucssion of what a pharm tech is

implies that the test will encompass both retail and hospital tech

work/duties. But I found it to be contradictory to the SAME site's

outline of test information to study, NONE of which is hospital related :

1. Control and audit pharmaceutical stock

2. Enter medication orders into computer system.

3. 3. Prepare inventories, order, receive, and stock pharmaceutical

supplies

4. Handles telephone calls

5. Communicate with physician as and their offices to obtain refill

authorizations.

6. Collect quality –assurance information

7. Package medications

8. Communicate with insurance carriers

9. Compound oral solutions, ointments, and creams

10. Fill and label prescriptions

11. At point of sale, verify prescription.

12. Assist the pharmacist with activities in the pharmacy

I do not mind having separate certification for the two major types of

pharm tech work. But I EXPECT the test advertising to be explicit as

to which or what it contains in gross discussion. In addition I EXPECT

the credentials earned bo to be self - explanatory in what has been

tested or what the person is being certified for. So NCPhT means

nothing to me if it is RETAIL only!! But if it was Retail NCPhT it

might make more sense! But I would still not trust any certification

testing program that also makes money on tfuture requuired CE, of

which can ONLY be obtained via the SAME company.

Sorry no endorsement here!

I do like the fact that attendance of a pharm tech program. affidavit

that you have worked is required. However I only agree with the

educational component requirement for current techs or future techs. I

think the 'grandfathering should only be for those who have teched for

more than 3 yrs.

http://www.ncctinc.com/Pamphlets/Pharmacy.pdf

Pharmacy Technician is a versatile Career that requires accuracy,

detail, and good communication skills. The Pharmacy Technician

typically works in a hospital or community pharmacy. The job outlook

for certified Pharmacy Technician is excellent. Areas of Study:

Pharmacy Environments, Pharmacy Regulations, Naming Drugs and Usage,

Abbreviations, Dosage Forms, Handling Drug Orders, Systems of

Measurement and Conversion, Math & Proportions, Interrupting

Prescriptions, Substance Abuse, and Dosage Calculations.

Requirements:

1. High School Diploma or equivalent.

2. A graduate of an approved course of study as a Pharmacy Technician

or documentation of at least one year of experience as a Pharmacy

Technician.

3. Pharmacy Technician applicants must not have been convicted of a

felony.

Please check out the site! You will soon see what I have seen.

Thanks

Jeanetta

PS this concept would be if Joe Medina of Tech Lectures suddenly said

I now offer Certificates to Pharmacy Techs adn these techs must

maintain CE's by using Techlectures CE only and for a price PLUS a

price to be reinstated as a tech annually.

This is in reverse! Would you go for that? I did not think so.

what if to graduate and practice as a Dentist the school of medicine

said in order to be a BS you must take more class from 'our' school

ONLY every year?

Just is not ethical to me. Yes great money maker and business, but not

ethical.

Repectfully,

Jeanetta

>

> Hi Dora,

>

> I never thought of a different certification exam as being better than

> PTCB. But I suppose it can be possible. At the very least having

> criteria (of which PTCB does not), would make the exam more valid.

>

> I am not concerned with PTCB at this time as they did have ten years

> to make necessary changes. I am more concerned about future Pharmacy

> Technicians and what exam should be taken and what states will

> recognize? Hate to see individuals having to take exams over again.

>

> Speaking of: Here is another place to get national certification.

>

> http://www.ncctinc.com/

>

> National Certified Pharmacy Technician (NCPhT)

>

> Pharmacy Technician is a versatile Career that requires accuracy,

> detail, and good communication skills. The Pharmacy Technician

> typically works in a hospital or community pharmacy. The job outlook

> for certified Pharmacy Technician is excellent. Areas of Study:

> Pharmacy Environments, Pharmacy Regulations, Naming Drugs and Usage,

> Abbreviations, Dosage Forms, Handling Drug Orders, Systems of

> Measurement and Conversion, Math & Proportions, Interrupting

> Prescriptions, Substance Abuse, and Dosage Calculations.

>

> Requirements:

>

> 1. High School Diploma or equivalent.

>

> 2. A graduate of an approved course of study as a Pharmacy Technician

> or documentation of at least one year of experience as a Pharmacy

> Technician.

>

> 3. Pharmacy Technician applicants must not have been convicted of a

> felony.

>

> Joe Medina, CPhT

>

May 24, 2006

Dear All,

If you wish to read where the list of tech responsibilites are:

http://www.ncctinc.com/Pamphlets/Pharmacy.pdf

Jeanetta

May 24, 2006

I'm not keen on the whole CE aspect of the program---its too

expensive. The CEs are short and simplied to the point of layman.

Even if the CEs were discipline specific, that's a chunk of change.

Sooo, while I prefer the testing prereqs of NHA, I like PTCBs CE

requirements

If only PTCB would establish prereqs---

To do so would benefit the techs, the pharmacists and the community

Its a win, win situation.

Dora

Hi allieography--

> Many of us are unaware of this organization---- I only learned

of it

> a few weeks ago during one of my " link jumping " adventures and

I try

> to stay current and informed with regard to the tech world.

>

> My guess is that the CPhT credential is not exclusive to PTCB,

but

> like many of us, potential employers may be unaware that other

> credentialing organizations exist.

>

> If I were you I would use the credential, but I would also be

ready

> for a compare/contrast discussion. Maybe even carry a brochure

from

> each organization.

>

> What immediately impressed me about the NHA programs were the

> madatory prerequisits! YES! YES! YES! How many times have I

posted

> my frustration at PTCB lack of prereqs?!?!?!

>

> One more thing to think about...being the most popular does

not

> necessarily mean being the *best* or the most respected---its

just

> better marketing.

>

> The site is worth taking a look at http://nhanow.com/index.htm

>

> Dora

> Group Mod

>

May 24, 2006

Thanks everyone for all the responses.

The director of the healthcare programs (at the school where I took

the pharmacy technician classes) mentioned that the NHA exam is more

of an entry-level exam and that the PTCB exam is more advanced. She

was encouraging us to go even further and take the PTCB exam as well.

Back in September when I started taking the classes I must say I

didn't know much at all about different exams. I was a newcomer to the

field and was looking at two different possible programs to attend.

One was a more advanced " review " for the PTCB exam, with less classes

and the one I wound up taking was more of a beginner, in-depth program.

The exam was not as difficult as I'm sure the PTCB will be and I was

expecting that based on what the director told us. I haven't started

working in a pharmacy setting yet so I can't really answer the

employer/state question. I would doubt it, but on the list of NHA

" recognitions, memberships, approvals, and references "

(http://nhanow.com/references.htm) it does appear they have a good

amount of New York listings (including CUNY campuses, one of which is

where I took my classes) so maybe it is more recognized in my state? I

don't know.

The exam had both retail and hospital material. I'd definitely say it

was more retail-heavy. There were 100 questions and the highest grade

you can receive is 100, as opposed to the 650 - 900 scaling the PTCB uses.

When comparing it to the PTCB exam, it had a lot of the same types of

questions, with differing levels of difficulty, but there are also a

lot of " more advanced " areas that you will not see the NHA touch that

the PTCB does. What I mean is that any of the questions on the NHA I

can see being on the PTCB, but there are things that are also on the

PTCB that were not on the NHA exam.

The NHA exam included quite a few controlled substances questions.

There was pharmacy law in other areas as well. There were a lot of

math problems, including compounding questions, but they didn't

include a lot of the more advanced ones you'll find on the PTCB like

alligation and IV flow rates. If you didn't know your

metric/apothecary/avoirdupois/household measurements, prescription

abbreviations, and setting up ratio/proportion problems though you'd

have a lot of trouble. Another thing that is very emphasized on the

PTCB is knowing the specific generic/brand names, classifications,

interactions, contradindications, side effects, etc. There were only a

few of those questions on the NHA exam. There were also some general

pharmacology questions.

I prepared by:

1. Going to the pharmacy technician program classes. This was

required, you couldn't take the NHA exam without going to these

classes (or another program connected with the NHA). If you had a

certain amount of absences you wouldn't be able to take the exam

either. I found the instructors very helpful. Besides using the

required textbook and learning pharmacy-related material in general,

we had specific NHA exam review classes. We even had some lab practice

as well in which we all learned and then demonstrated to the

instructor that we could properly use a syringe to draw up medication

from a vial and then inject it into an IV bag. This included using all

the aseptic techniques, washing our hands properly, putting on gloves

properly, using alcohol wipes on the vial stoppers and IV cap,

removing air bubbles in the syringe, disposing properly of sharps,etc.

Of course it didn't get TOO in depth, but I liked this part especially

since I would like to work in a hospital pharmacy. The hands-on part

though really wasn't necessary to be able to pass the NHA exam itself,

but the courses really prepared us more than to just take the exam,

including a lot of the information we went over.

2. Using the study guide the NHA sent me after I registered for the exam.

3. Various online resources including this very forum. This forum and

the files/tutorials have been a very valuable source and I'd like to

thank you for the time you put into this. I don't know why I didn't

thank you in my original post, I meant to, I'm sorry about that. Of

course, I've been studying for the PTCB exam as well, so going into

the NHA exam I knew more than I even needed to. I'm getting extra

review books now that focus on the PTCB exam as well.

As for using CPhT after my name, I think I'll just wait until after

the PTCB exam. I was thinking about this because I've been making up a

résumé and because I know how difficult it may be to get considered

for a job especially since I don't have any pharmacy experience and

since I really want to work in a hospital pharmacy. I will probably

volunteer there first.

Knowing everything I know now, I can't say I'd definitely take the

same courses and following NHA exam, but I found it to be a good start

for a beginner in getting acquainted with the pharmacy field. I do

know that I don't want it to be the only certification I'd have.

>

> Dear Alliegraphy,

>

> Can you tell us if the exam/test you took was difficult?

> Using a scale of 0 to 10 ten being the hardest exam you ever tookm

how would you rate this exam? How many points is it worth? Has any

state or employer asked you if you have taken this exam in particular?

>

> Also can you tell us if it was just retail or also hospital? What

percentage of each?

> How did you prepare?

>

> The CE that you pay for and take for NHA is definitely acceptable

for PTCB, but PTCB requires 20 CE every two years. NHA requires

ONLY 5 CE a year.

>

> Now if you want to use any FREE or other CE that is not sold on

the NHA site, from what I can tell you will not be allowed to.

>

> PTCB is only $50 every 2 years , IF I recall correctly.

>

> PTCB does NOT sell CE. However it may endorse ASHP or APhA CE

but it also accepts other CE including FREE CE!

>

> Hope this helps.

>

> Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

> Founder/Owner

>

> allieography <allieography@...> wrote: The National

Healthcareer Association

> http://nhanow.com/

>

> I took their " Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) " exam.

>

> I'm in NY.

>

> > -------------- Original message --------------

> > From: " allieography " <allieography@>

> > according to the* card and letter

> >

> > I forgot to mention that my state is not one of the really

strict ones

> > that requires certification or licensing.

> >

> > Also, once I have taken the PTCB exam and hopefully passed, do you

> > think I should continue to take CEs for BOTH the NHA and PTCB,

or just

> > the PTCB? I was told that it looks better to do both, can't go wrong

> > that way, but I'm still not sure. I thought PTCB alone would

still be

> > as good. Any thoughts?

> >

> > >

> > > Hi,

> > >

> > > I'll be taking the PTCB exam in July as I realize this is the most

> > > respected certification. I recently took and passed the NHA

exam since

> > > it was offered through the Pharmacy Tech program I was taking, and

> > > according to card and letter they sent with my results I'm a

" CPhT " as

> > > recognized by them. My question, and I hope it won't be

badly-received

> > > here, is if it is recommended or not at this point since I

haven't yet

> > > taken the PTCE to put on my résumé " CPhT " after my name? If I

do, of

> > > course I'd be including that it is the NHA exam. In the sample

résumé

> > > in the files section here it was recommended to put CPhT after

your

> > > name, but I don't want to be looked at by an employer as

misleading if

> > > they will automatically assume PTCB certification. So if I can put

> > > CPhT after my name at the top of the résumé, is it recommended

to put

> > > in parentheses that it's through the NHA, even though I'll be

> > > including the NHA certification info later on?

> > >

> > > Thanks!

> > >

> >

>

May 25, 2006

Thanks for your candid recall and sharing.

What school did you attend? and state ?

Glad to know this site has helped you. You are most welcome!

Keep us posted on your comparison of the two exams after you take the

PTCB.

Jeanetta

> > > >

> > > > Hi,

> > > >

> > > > I'll be taking the PTCB exam in July as I realize this is

the most

> > > > respected certification. I recently took and passed the NHA

> exam since

> > > > it was offered through the Pharmacy Tech program I was

taking, and

> > > > according to card and letter they sent with my results I'm a

> " CPhT " as

> > > > recognized by them. My question, and I hope it won't be

> badly-received

> > > > here, is if it is recommended or not at this point since I

> haven't yet

> > > > taken the PTCE to put on my résumé " CPhT " after my name? If I

> do, of

> > > > course I'd be including that it is the NHA exam. In the sample

> résumé

> > > > in the files section here it was recommended to put CPhT after

> your

> > > > name, but I don't want to be looked at by an employer as

> misleading if

> > > > they will automatically assume PTCB certification. So if I

can put

> > > > CPhT after my name at the top of the résumé, is it recommended

> to put

> > > > in parentheses that it's through the NHA, even though I'll be

> > > > including the NHA certification info later on?

> > > >

> > > > Thanks!

> > > >

> > >

> >

May 26, 2006

Hey Jeanetta,

I noticed on the NCCT website that NCCT is used by Career Colleges &

Schools of Texas, an organization of which I am not familiar.

So, I decided to 'pony up' $130.00.

I'll post my Exam reults as soon as I get them.

I have no idea when I will be able to take the Online Exam, but I

figured that I may as well check into it as this is something that I

have never really heard that much about and it will be interesting

to compare it to the PTCB.

Until this discussion came up, I have never heard of a 'National

Certified Pharmacy Technician (NCPhT)', and as far as I know this

certification is not recognized by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy.

I will check into some state Law to see if something has changed

since the last Legislative Session, and report back with my findings.

Also, thank you Ms. Bernard for researching my question about I.V.

Certification. The only way for me have accomplished this here in

Corpus over the summer would be for me to take a non-credit class

intended for C.N.A.'s. I need a break from the classroom this summer

as General Physics pretty much gave me a semester long headache, and

I also need some free time to begin study/review courses for the

P.C.A.T.

I'll 'check in' soon!

Christian B. Oliver RCPhT (TX)

> >

> > Hi Dora,

> >

> > I never thought of a different certification exam as being

better than

> > PTCB. But I suppose it can be possible. At the very least

having

> > criteria (of which PTCB does not), would make the exam more

valid.

> >

> > I am not concerned with PTCB at this time as they did have ten

years

> > to make necessary changes. I am more concerned about future

Pharmacy

> > Technicians and what exam should be taken and what states will

> > recognize? Hate to see individuals having to take exams over

again.

> >

> > Speaking of: Here is another place to get national

certification.

> >

> > http://www.ncctinc.com/

> >

> > National Certified Pharmacy Technician (NCPhT)

> >

> > Pharmacy Technician is a versatile Career that requires accuracy,

> > detail, and good communication skills. The Pharmacy Technician

> > typically works in a hospital or community pharmacy. The job

outlook

> > for certified Pharmacy Technician is excellent. Areas of Study:

> > Pharmacy Environments, Pharmacy Regulations, Naming Drugs and

Usage,

> > Abbreviations, Dosage Forms, Handling Drug Orders, Systems of

> > Measurement and Conversion, Math & Proportions, Interrupting

> > Prescriptions, Substance Abuse, and Dosage Calculations.

> >

> > Requirements:

> >

> > 1. High School Diploma or equivalent.

> >

> > 2. A graduate of an approved course of study as a Pharmacy

Technician

> > or documentation of at least one year of experience as a Pharmacy

> > Technician.

> >

> > 3. Pharmacy Technician applicants must not have been convicted

of a

> > felony.

> >

> > Joe Medina, CPhT

> >

>

May 26, 2006

Hi Christian,

My school also uses NCCT for Certification purposes. In fact I swayed

them to PTCB for Pharmacy Technicians when I was employed.

Joe Medina, CPhT

-------------