Whether you're a certified pharmacy technician looking to renew your certification or seeking to refresh your knowledge and skills, refresher courses are an essential part of maintaining professional competence. Two types of refresher courses are available for pharmacy technicians: the PTCB (Pharmacy Technician Certification Board) refresher course and a general pharmacy technician refresher course. In this article, we will compare these two types of courses, discussing their objectives, benefits, and content to help you choose the best option for your needs.

PTCB Refresher Course:

The PTCB refresher course is specifically designed for certified pharmacy technicians seeking to renew their PTCB certification. The PTCB requires recertification every two years, which includes completing 20 hours of continuing education (CE) and passing the PTCB recertification exam.

Objectives:

1. Update your knowledge: Stay current with the latest pharmacy regulations, industry standards, and best practices.
2. Prepare for the recertification exam: Review essential topics and practice exam questions to ensure success on the PTCB recertification exam.
3. Maintain your PTCB certification: Fulfill the continuing education requirement for PTCB recertification.

Benefits:

1. Enhance your professional credentials: PTCB certification is nationally recognized and can increase your employability and career advancement opportunities.
2. Stay up-to-date: Keep abreast of new developments in the pharmacy industry, ensuring you provide the best possible patient care.
3. Access to PTCB resources: Enrolling in a PTCB-approved refresher course grants you access to valuable resources, including study materials and practice exams.

Course Content: PTCB refresher courses typically cover the four main domains of the PTCB exam:

1. Medication Order Interpretation and Preparation
2. Medication Dispensing
3. Medication Safety
4. Pharmacy Operations and Quality Assurance

Pharmacy Technician Refresher Course:

A pharmacy technician refresher course is a broader educational program designed for pharmacy technicians looking to enhance their knowledge and skills in the field, regardless of their certification status.

Objectives:

1. Reinforce your knowledge: Strengthen your understanding of essential pharmacy technician concepts and procedures.
2. Learn new techniques: Keep up with the latest advancements in the field, such as new medications and technology.
3. Boost your confidence: Improve your overall competency and confidence as a pharmacy technician.

Benefits:

1. Career development: Enhance your skills and knowledge, opening the door to new job opportunities and potential promotions.
2. Continuing education credits: Some refresher courses may offer CE credits, which can be applied toward PTCB recertification or state-specific requirements.
3. Networking opportunities: Connect with other pharmacy professionals and share experiences and best practices.

Course Content: Pharmacy technician refresher courses generally cover a wide range of topics, including:

1. Pharmacy law and ethics
2. Drug classifications and dosage calculations
3. Pharmacy operations and inventory management
4. Compounding and sterile product preparation

Both PTCB refresher courses and pharmacy technician refresher courses offer valuable opportunities to advance your career and stay current in the pharmacy industry. When choosing between these options, consider your specific goals and certification status. A PTCB refresher course is ideal for those seeking to maintain their PTCB certification, while a general pharmacy technician refresher course is suitable for those looking to broaden their knowledge and skills in the field. Regardless of your choice, investing in your professional development will.

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