Get Advanced Pharmacy Technician Training with freeCE's Medication Therapy Management Specialty Certificate!
Easily complete all PTCB-required training in our convenient & on-demand format
freeCE offers pharmacy technicians the flexibility to complete this medication therapy management training at their own pace. This 9.5-credit program is broken into 8 on-demand modules. Once learners pass freeCE's certificate final exam, and if you're a PTCB-certified pharmacy technician (CPhT), you'll have the option to apply for PTCB's Medication Therapy Management Certificate Exam.
Background
Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians play a vital role in the provision of MTM services to patients in both community and institutional settings. Technicians who complete this series will walk away with a strong understanding of MTM services and should be well-prepared in providing MTM services to patients in the pharmacy setting.
Program Description
Pharmacy technicians can play a vital role in the process of delivering Medication Therapy Management (MTM) services. This 9.5-hour, PTCB-Recognized, certificate program will explore the role of the pharmacy technician and the pharmacist in providing MTM services to patients. This series is developed based on the blueprint for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board’s Medication Therapy Management Certificate, and pharmacy technicians who complete this series will be prepared to sit for that assessment.
Introduction to Medication Therapy Management This program begins by providing foundational knowledge of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 as it relates to Medication Therapy Management programs. The evolution of the MTM program is key to identifying the purpose of these programs such as reducing hospital readmission and reducing healthcare costs. This module will also define the CMS requirements for offering MTM programs as part of Medicare Part D plans. Finally, this module will discuss the populations targeted for MTM services such as those with multiple chronic diseases or who are taking multiple medications.
MTM Enrollment and Service Delivery Module 2 will explore the CMS requirements for Medicare Part D programs to offer MTM services. These services will be defined to provide the learner with an understanding of the components of each type of MTM services. CMS also provides guidance on how MTM services may be delivered and to whom. We'll also introduce the Core Elements of MTM services to provide the learner with the steps of the MTM service and learn which components of the MTM service may be completed by a Pharmacy Technician.
Core Elements of MTM Service and Documentation In module 3 the learner will further explore the Core Elements of MTM Service as each element is broken down and discussed in detail. Additionally, the documentation requirements for each of the Core Elements will be discussed. The CMS MTM Program Standardized Format for documentation provides guidance and templates which are required to be used for any MTM Service. The importance of using patient-friendly terminology will be discussed, followed by examples and practice scenarios guided by the AHRQ Health Literacy Tool for Providers of MTM.
Medication Review Appointment Scheduling and Preparation This module will focus on identifying patients who are eligible for a MTM service and subsequently scheduling those patients to receive their respective services. Learners will explore how patients are identified within the MTM service billing platforms, and when patients can be scheduled for services by pharmacy personnel. Learners will also identify the appropriate steps for reaching out to patients to schedule services. Finally, the learner will explore best practices and requirements for the space that will be used for the MTM service appointment.
Patient Interview Techniques and Medication History The fifth module in this course will discuss the patient interview and medication history. First, key terms such as medication adherence, medication intolerance, medication allergy, social history, and medical condition will be defined. Next, the Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technician roles in a patient interview will be compared to identify the differences in limitations during the medication history process. An emphasis will be placed on ensuring that the pharmacy technician is not counseling the patient during the review. Finally, the importance of active listening will be discussed because, aside from documentation, this is where the pharmacy technician’s role can be very impactful in the medication review.
Personal Medication List Development and Patient Profile Update Module 6 focuses on the development of the Personal Medication List (PML) and updating the patient’s profile during a Comprehensive Medication Review. An emphasis will be placed on the information required to be documented on the PML as well as which drugs must be documented. Discussion topics will cover the requirement to document medication strengths/dose, dosage forms, routes of administration, frequency and duration of therapy, and drug administration instructions. Furthermore, the discussion will cover the requirements around documenting all oral and non-oral prescription and non-prescription therapies the patient is currently taking or receiving.
Medication-Related Problems and Interventions Although the pharmacist must conduct education and counseling to develop the patient’s Medication Action Plan, the pharmacy technician plays a vital role in helping to support the pharmacist’s efforts. This module will define common medication-related problems and prescribing errors. The impact of such errors will be discussed, as well as what information the pharmacist may review to identify interventions and recommendations about the patient’s drug therapy. The pharmacy technician, once again, plays a vital role in influencing how the pharmacist may tailor their education, counseling, and questioning to the patient. Thus, the legal limitations for pharmacy technicians will be highlighted as discussed.
Post-Medication Review Documentation, Submission, and Follow Up The final module in this pharmacy technician enhanced training program will begin by briefly discussing how the pharmacist creates the Medication Action Plan (MAP) by compiling information and data gathered throughout the review process and the creation of intervention claims. This module will also focus on claim submissions for Comprehensive Medication Reviews and Targeted Medication Reviews, the information required for each type of claim submission, and the importance of having a tracking system throughout the MTM service process. Finally, learners will explore potential metrics that can be used to measure the success of a pharmacy’s MTM program.
Francesca Morris, MHA, CPhT-Adv, is a Pharmacy Technician with over 15 years of experience. Driven by her love for learning, she takes pride in providing the best education possible. As an Advanced Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT-Adv), her goals include continuing to contribute to the Pharmacy Technician education community through non-profit work and educational content creation. In addition to her primary job functions, Francesca has been recognized for her passion and creativity throughout her time in military service, her time as a Pharmacy Technician, and her time as an educator.
Some important notes to remember regarding the Pharmacy Technician Enhanced Training: Medication Therapy Management (PTETMTM) Certificate:
Registration costs $109 for members, $209 for non-members.
Once you have completed the specialty certificate, you are eligible to claim a sharable digital badge. Learn more about badges here.
This program's final exam consists of 50 unique multiple-choice questions.
You have only three (3) attempts to pass the final exam.
You may not leave the final exam in the middle and return at a later time.
The final exam has no time limit; however, we recommend that you write the answers down in case you lose your Internet connection or get interrupted while taking the exam.
You will earn continuing education credit as you complete each activity, totaling 9.5 credits upon final completion
You will have 12 months to complete the specialty certificate before it expires from your account.
This specialty certificate is NOT accredited for pharmacists or nurses.
