Re: New Tech Certification Exams

May 17, 2006

To sit for the ExCPT, you have to be either employed as a pharmacy

technician or enrolled in a pharmacy technician program. This won't

work in states that require certification before working as a

technician or for people who prefer self study. Other than that, there

is supposed to be little difference in the exams.

Annette

May 17, 2006

Dear Annette and All,

The two exams have been compared psyhcometrically by NAPB (via outside

assignment). ONLY PTCB is considered as such. In addition, the ExCEPT

is very much RETAIL oriented.

As I have POSTED many years ago on the PTCB site, I think it is time

for RETAIL vs Hospital (IV)certification tests with a COMBINED exam

for others. I believe techs could specialize in these certification

exams or take a combined exam to show competency in both. However I do

not think education should be one sided. Education should reflect the

pharmacy (pharmacist) model of overall education. Education should

offer the student the poosibilites of the whole field not just one,

otherwise it is taking advantage of the paying student. There are many

other reasons that I will not go into here. If one later wants to

specialize that should be available too. Exams should reflect the

overall (NOT WATERED DOWN) or specialized in Retail or Hospital (NOT

WATERED DOWN) aspects of pharmacy.

Since ExCEPT is not considered psychometrically sound, then at this

time I would not consider it acceptable for retail only. IF however it

were to be changed then I would accept this.

At this time I can not find the article that discusses the

psychometric comparison. I will however continue to look for it.

Definition: Psychometrically - The branch of psychology that deals

with the design, administration, and interpretation of quantitative

tests for the measurement of psychological variables such as

intelligence, aptitude, and personality traits. Also called psychometry.

While I believe that PTCB exam needs to have a lab component, I still

back the PTCB exam over any other current offering.

Respectfully,

Jeanetta Mastron CPhT BS

Founder/Owner

>

> To sit for the ExCPT, you have to be either employed as a pharmacy

> technician or enrolled in a pharmacy technician program. This won't

> work in states that require certification before working as a

> technician or for people who prefer self study. Other than that, there

> is supposed to be little difference in the exams.

>

> Annette

>

May 17, 2006

Hi Everyone,

Just what we need...another National Certification Exam. Let's be

honest, when money can be made...it will be made.

Reminds me of NPTA's attempt, in getting another National

Certification Exam, but was unable to get the half million dollar

grant to do so. Oh...sorry this was suppose to be a secret as we are

marketed to believe that NPTA began with humble beginnings with only

three members and a few quarters pocket change. If I recall correctly,

the grant had something to do with Walmart...now the plot thickens.

Joe Medina, CPhT

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

Oregon has joined Virginia in offering pharmacy technicians a choice

of certification exams. The Oregon State Board of Pharmacy voted in

April to accept two exams to satisfy a new licensure requirement.

Oregon techs can pass either the Pharmacy Technician Certification

Board (PTCB) exam or the Exam for the Certification of Pharmacy

Technicians (ExCPT), created by the Institute for the Certification of

Pharmacy Technicians (ICPT).

" We didn't see any significant difference between the level of

knowledge assessed by the two exams, " said Oregon board member Ann

Zweber. Oregon's acceptance of the ExCPT intensifies pressure on PTCB.

The Connecticut board is also considering ExCPT, and ICPT education

director Schafermeyer has made presentations in several other

states. Virginia has accepted a precursor to ExCPT since 2003.

" We didn't set out to compete with PTCB, " said Schafermeyer, who has

designed and run technician training programs at St. Louis College of

Pharmacy since 1997. " First, drug chains asked for a standardized test

to assess training. Then Virginia put out a request for proposal and

we won. We are able and willing to innovate, which is causing [PTCB]

to do likewise—to everybody's advantage. "

PTCB executive director and CEO Murer Corrigan said her

group's exam is currently included in technician statutes or

regulations in 26 states. " Almost all employers of pharmacy

technicians require or support PTCB, " she said. Competition has

already prompted PTCB to update its Web site and database. The next

step is to offer computer-based testing. That could give PTCB the same

flexibility ICPT has had from the outset, Corrigan said.

" PTCB's biggest problem is access, limited frequency, and limited

number of test sites, " said Connecticut Pharmacists Association

executive VP Marghie Giuliano. " That has created challenges for

community and hospital pharmacies that can't get techs certified in a

timely manner. "

PTCB offers its exam four times annually. There are about 165 test

sites nationwide, but few sites offer exams on all four dates.

Candidates must register two months prior to exam date. The test costs

$120.

ExCPT offers more than 300 test dates at over 1,000 computerized

testing centers. Applicants can take the test at a time of their

choosing, usually within 48 hours of registration. The test fee is $95.

Oregon replaced pharmacy tech registration with mandatory licensure in

2005 to give the board more control over technician training and

practice. The state pharmacists association sponsored licensing

legislation with language calling for PTCB certification or its

equivalent. " We aren't hearing a preference from our members for one

test over the other, " said OSPA executive director Jim .

The only opposition to ExCPT was from hospital pharmacy groups, Zweber

said. The exam was originally developed with backing from the National

Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community

Pharmacists Association, and hospital pharmacists were concerned that

the exam might not adequately test skills important to institutional

settings.

" That perception is as false as seeing the PTCB exam as slanted toward

institutional settings because it has roots in ASHP and APhA [American

Pharmacists Association], " said NCPA senior VP and COO Hoey.

" Both exams are appropriate for all practice settings. "

Not so fast, said Carmen Catizone, executive director of the National

Association of Boards of Pharmacy. He said NABP has studied both tests

and concluded that only PTCB gets a passing score.

Both sides in the debate have a financial stake in the outcome. ASHP,

APhA, and NABP earn royalties from PTCB. NCPA and NACDS get royalties

from ICPT. But NACDS senior VP Ann Wagner said ExCPT revenue is

minor compared with that generated by the PTCB exam.

For now, only the Virginia Board of Pharmacy can compare the quality

of pharmacy techs who took the two different exams. " We have not

measured technician performance based on which exam they took, " said

executive director , " but we have not had any

cases of patient harm or misconduct based on technician competency. "

Source:

http://www.drugtopics.com/drugtopics/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=323260

May 18, 2006

Jeanetta,

I like the idea of a lab component for the PTCB that would include

an I.V. Certification.

This summer, I'm going to take a 'Non-Credit' 12 hour (total, not

semester hours) Texas I.V. Cert. class to 'prep' me for the TX state

exam which is applicaple to C.N.A. Medication Aids and Hospital

Pharmacy Technicians. (I'm kind of tired of stock intake and

rotation, and although I know in my heart that in order to be

properly trained in the hospital setting, I'm going to have to keep

opening box after box after box..... I'm ready to learn more and I'm

feeling more confident with liquids that I must measure vs. unit

dose packs that I scan and place in a pt's casette.)

I'm not sure if it is TSBP Law that I have to have this

certification to work in the hospital setting, but in the Christus

Spohn Hospitals and Minor Emergency Clinics, Doctor's Regional

Hospital, and Driscoll Children's Hospital, before a Tech can work

with TPN's, admixes, or any injection that drawn from a vial, he/she

must have this certification.

I personally think that this is a good idea whether it is TSBP Law

or simply Hospital Policy!

Right now, quite honestly I don't 'feel' comfortable working

with 'liquids', most especially those that are admin. I.V. or IM.

I'm not quite sure why, but I feel that it is a precaution of my own

mind as I am the first person to stop work, and find my Lead Tech.

or RPh when when I have a question. I don't worry about upsetting a

superior or co-worker as I just want to make sure that I prepare

EVERYTHING exactly to the Dr.'s Order.

I hope that by the time I 'find my place' as a PharmD in Texas that

somehow there is much more standardation of education for Techs. in

ANY/ALL settings.

Jeanetta, is there some resource available online for me to learn

more about the rules & reg.s for both Techs. and Pharmacists in CA?

I would like to compare/contrast the differences between our two

great states!

Thanks,

Christian B. Oliver RCPhT (TX)

> >

> > To sit for the ExCPT, you have to be either employed as a

pharmacy

> > technician or enrolled in a pharmacy technician program. This

won't

> > work in states that require certification before working as a

> > technician or for people who prefer self study. Other than

that, there

> > is supposed to be little difference in the exams.

> >

> > Annette

> >

>

May 19, 2006

Hi Christian-

The only thing about IV certification that is required by the state

board is 6 of our 20 CEs must be IV related. I called state board to

find out specifically what qualified......any CE regarding an IV drug

or TPN component, IV/TPN equipment, or aseptic technique.

Just an FYI,

Annette, Austin, TX

May 20, 2006

Dear Christian,

I am happy to know that other techs (you)* also agree with me that a physical

lab component should be added to state and national testing. I think both

hospital and retasil should be addressed.

I am calling upon all Texsan techs and TEXPERTS who have direct knowledge of

IV certification for Texans. My recall and understanding is that Texas does

require IV certification.

California requires that a tech be certrified by the facility. The training

can take place at the facility or in mock labs and an internship since Ca law

requires that a tech take the PTCFB exam to become a tech, and trained hands on

the job OR attend a state approved formal tech program with mock labs and

externship.

Go To the state board of pharmacy of either or both states to compare.

Before 2004, Ca was more stringent in requiring education or ojt 1500 hours.

Now it requires only PTCB or education. Since most pharmacies are 'spoiled'

(luckily) they want education and extern trained techs before hiring PTCB exam

ojnly techs.

Where as Texas law requires OJT at state approved sites for up to 1 yr and

then PTCB. As far as IV staste cert goes it seems to me that I was informed once

by a Texan that it is required and that it must have specific number of hours

and components.

What program will you be attending? NPTA? What will it cost you? Where will it

be taught?

In Ca approved schools they teach IV's .

I teach a program thast is about 4 times longer than Ca state minimum and is

about 400 hours of IV lecture and labs, PLUS 330 hours of externship and at

least 50% is IV's bt can be more.

Hope this helps.

Jeanetta

" Christian B. Oliver " <christianboliver@...> wrote: