NABP Offers APhA Immunization Certificate Program at 97th Annual Meeting

February 20, 2001 12:00 AM

In response to requests from its member boards, the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) will offer a pre-meeting seminar, entitled Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery: A Certificate Program for Pharmacists, on Saturday, May 5, 2001, during its Annual Meeting in Seattle, Wash

Presented by the American Pharmaceutical Association (APhA), the innovative and interactive training program will review the basics of immunology, focus on practice implementation and legal/regulatory issues, and teach pharmacists the skills necessary to become primary sources for vaccine information and administration.

The goals of the program are to:

• provide comprehensive immunization education and training;
• provide pharmacists with the skills, resources, and materials necessary to establish and promote a successful immunization service;
• helps pharmacists identify at-risk patient populations needing immunizations; and
• train pharmacists to maintain necessary immunization records.

The seminar consists of two components, a self-study component designed to ensure that all participants have a solid understanding of the role of pharmacists as vaccine advocates, and the didactic training seminar that will be offered at the NABP Annual Meeting. The self-study portion encompasses four learning modules that contain in-depth information on implementing a pharmacy immunization program and the clinical and practical considerations of vaccine administration. The program also provides a guide to the reference books published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Each module is followed by self-assessment questions that help reinforce and evaluate participants' understanding of key information and concepts.

The second part of the program - the training seminar - involves an active learning experience. It reinforces and expands on the self-study learning component and discusses such issues as immunizations needs, legal and regulatory considerations, marketing, patient care strategies, billing and reimbursement, documentation, and recordkeeping. In addition, participants receive hands-on injection technique training

All participants must obtain CPR or BCLS certification before a “Certificate of Achievement” can be awarded. However, certification is not a prerequisite of the program. Successful completion of the self-study learning component results in eight hours of continuing pharmaceutical education credit (0.8 CEU). An additional 10 hours of continuing pharmaceutical education credit (1.0 CEU) is granted for attending and successfully completing the didactic training seminar. The cost of this seminar is $300. Thirty-day advance registration is required.

For additional information about the immunization seminar or the NABP Annual Meeting, please call the NABP Meeting Desk at 847/698-6227, or log on to www.nabp.net.

Jan Teplitz