Finish all required activities without the hassle of group Zoom meetings or out-of-town travel!
freeCE offers pharmacy technicians and their supervising pharmacist the flexibility to complete this essential instruction and the required hands-on vaccine administration training at their own pace. This 6-credit program is broken into 6 required modules, which allows pharmacies to follow the guidance set by the HHS Prep Act without Zoom meetings or out-of-town travel. Once you've passed, and if you're a PTCB-certified pharmacy technician (CPhT), you'll have the option to apply for the PTCB Immunization Administration Exam.
Background
Our pharmacy technician enhanced training on immunization administration provides pharmacy technicians with the foundational information required to understand and successfully administer vaccines through a series of self-study modules. Once training is complete, pharmacy technicians will demonstrate their understanding by recording the hands-on administration activities under the supervision of a qualified pharmacist. The demonstration video can then be uploaded to freeCE, where our in-house pharmacist faculty members will verify that tasks were completed successfully and award credit.
The Florida Board of Pharmacy has approved freeCE’s Pharmacy Technician Enhanced Training: Immunization program to train pharmacy technicians in the state of Florida to administer vaccines. As of July 2022, Florida announced a new bill, s. 465.014, F.S., which authorizes a certified registered pharmacy technician to administer vaccines and immunizations to adults under the supervision of a certified pharmacist. To become certified by the Board of Pharmacy, a registered pharmacy technician must complete six hours of approved immunization-related training.
Now, pharmacy technicians in Florida can get certified to continue the important work of immunizing by signing up for freeCE's on-demand Pharmacy Technician Enhanced Training: Immunization program.
Program Description
This 6-credit PTCB-Recognized enhanced immunization training program includes 6 required modules that cover the history of immunization, vaccine safety, inventory and documentation, adverse reactions and emergencies, and vaccine administration technique.
PLUS, in addition to the 6-hours of required vaccine administration training, you'll also receive access to 2.25-hours of bonus modules, that are provided as optional COVID-19 and influenza resources for Enhanced Immunization Training purchasers.
In this module, technicians will discuss the history of vaccination and pharmacy-based immunization, list diseases that are preventable by vaccination, and identify commonly used vaccines and corresponding routes of administration.
In this module, technicians will describe the use of universal precautions as they pertain to bloodborne pathogens, recognize safety measures to avoid accidental needle stick injuries, and identify immunization-related situations that require pharmacist intervention.
In this module, technicians will recognize vaccine inventory requirements including the ordering and handling of vaccine products, recall vaccine storage requirements, and list the requirements for documentation of pharmacy-based immunizations.
In this module, technicians will describe common adverse reactions to vaccines and their management, identify the purpose of and process for using VAERS, and recognize the procedures for managing a vaccine-related emergency.
In this module, technicians will describe proper techniques when drawing up and administering immunizations, identify distraction techniques that can be used when administering immunizations, and distinguish proper needle length selection based on the vaccine and the patient’s age and size.
This module includes a video that demonstrates the process (from patient’s entry into the pharmacy requesting a vaccine through administration and monitoring of the patient). You will then record your demonstration. Choose your qualified immunizing pharmacist to supervise your demonstration, then under the supervision of your qualified immunizing pharmacist, technicians will demonstrate appropriate techniques when administering intramuscular and subcutaneous injections, demonstrate appropriate distraction techniques when administering immunizations, and demonstrate the use of universal precautions during immunization administration.
COVID-19 Vaccine Essentials for Pharmacy Technicians: This module is an optional part of a broader series designed to equip the pharmacy technician with the knowledge and skills necessary for immunization. In this session, technicians will describe the epidemiology and pathophysiology of COVID-19, assess the HHS PREP ACT guidance for technician administration of COVID-19 vaccines and testing, and list available COVID-19 vaccines and their administration and storage requirements.
Overview of Intranasal Vaccines: This educational session will provide information about the history and development of the intranasal influenza vaccine and identify relevant recommendations, precautions, and contraindications for this product.
About Our Faculty:
Gretchen Garofoli. PharmD, BCACP, CTTS Gretchen Garofoli, PharmD, BCACP, CTTS is an associate professor at West Virginia University School of Pharmacy in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy. Dr. Garofoli is an expert in community pharmacy practice and an advocate for pharmacy-based immunizations.
Lauren Hynicka, PharmD, BCPS Lauren Hynicka, PharmD, BCPS is an associate professor at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy and the PharmTechX advanced training program. Dr Hynicka’s research interests include medication therapy management, practice-based research, and vulnerable populations.
Eric Geyer, PharmD Eric Geyer, PharmD is a certified immunizer, the creator and host of the Political Pharmacist podcast, founder and administrator of Pharmacy Staff for COVID-19 Support site, and an experienced pharmacy manager with 15 years of pharmacy experience.
Sarah M. Lawrence, PharmD, MA, BCGP Dr. Sarah M. Lawrence is part of the PharmCon content team as well as an independent pharmacy consultant. She has over 15 years of experience in the pharmacy profession, as a technician, intern, pharmacist, and educator.
What Technicians are Saying:
"Since taking the Pharmacy Technician Enhanced Immunization Training program, I've helped vaccinate over 1500 people. This class is spot on!"
Cheryl W., freeCE Pharmacy Technician Member
"With COVID vaccines becoming available throughout the world, I wanted to make a change and do my part in eliminating this terrible pandemic that has put the world on pause and cost so many people’s lives. The best thing with freeCE is that I’m able to complete my CE credits pretty much whenever I have the chance to do study. It’s set up for you to learn at your own pace, whenever you have the available time to do so."
Brandon C., freeCE Pharmacy Technician Member
Some important notes to remember regarding the Pharmacy Technician Enhanced Training: Immunization (PTETI) Certificate:
Registration costs $140 for members, $240 for non-members.
Once learners 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.
To complete module 6, you'll be asked to watch a patient simulation video, which demonstrates the entire administration process (from patient arrival to administration to monitoring) and includes instructions for recording and uploading the student technician's hands-on training. The technician is responsible for identifying and securing the sponsoring qualified immunizing pharmacist. This video recording must be completed under the supervision of a sponsoring qualified immunizing pharmacist. Technicians will demonstrate appropriate technique when administering intramuscular and subcutaneous injections, demonstrate appropriate distraction techniques when administering immunizations, and demonstrate the use of universal precautions during immunization administration.
You will earn continuing education credit as you complete each activity, totaling 6 credits upon final completion of all required activities, or 8.25 credits if you complete the bonus modules.
You will have 12 months to complete the specialty certificatebefore it expires from your account.
This specialty certificate is NOT accredited for pharmacists or nurses
PharmCon’s training meets the educational requirements set forth in the federal HHS guidance. Participants should consult with their state board of pharmacy for specific regulatory recommendations surrounding pharmacy technician immunization.
