Re: Re: IV Certification

Joe,

I agree with you 100% on that, so many techs today who claim to be certified can not tell the difference between brand and generic names, but they have letters behind their name.

As far as IV certification I think that you learn more with practical hands on training than any kind of material that a book can offer.

Greg Lane CPhT
Univ of Md Medical System

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When dealing with the making of IV in the practical sense which would
involve the correct use of Aseptic Technique, I believe that training
should be on-the-job and not dependent on one being IV Certified or not.

I am always the one to be controversial in specific areas when it
comes to the Pharmacy Technician profession. One of those is in the
area of formal education and in the term "certification" of which
today means much less than years before.

Many have jumped on the bandwagon when it comes to the offering of
certification and in doing so have profited a great deal (i.e. NPTA).
But, in offering certification, they do not offer proficiency,
expertise or similar terms that once applied to being certified.
Today what is being offered is a title behind your name that simply
means that you may or may not know what you are doing.

Case in point, our own national certification (i.e. PTCB), of which
one can place that CPhT proudly behind their name and yet not have
even worked in the Pharmacy setting. Or....IV Certification which
means that one read a book did the OPEN book exams and may or may not
have had a few hours of practical training, and yet....they are
recognized as IV Certified. By the way NPTA September 20 to 21st
classes are sold out, but still some left for October..only 598.00.

How do we correct this, we simply require...I mean mandate...that
anyone taking a certification exam, MUST have prior experience in the
field they are being certified in months or years. We also mandate
that they take an actual exam that is not open book and that they
demonstrate their practical skills and are graded honestly and not
simply passed because they paid their application or registration fee.

Is this something that will happen soon? Of course not. That would
be asking too much in a capitalistic nation that decides who qualifies
for formal education by their ability to get federal aid or student
loans. Or by the philosophy," you pay me what I am asking and I will
give you what you are asking for."

I offer an IV Certificate that I call: "Introduction to IV Admixtures
in both the Didactic and Practical Sense," which is worth 20 hours.
It comprises a manual/workbook and 6 hours of practical or hands-on
training. Does my program cost 598.00, No. much much less. Is my certificate considered to be one of those IV Certified ones even though it most likely is as good if not better than other programs who claim to be IV Certified ones? No. Why? Because I believe that to be IV Certified, one must show proficiency and expertise and in all honesty, that cannot be done with what I or ANYONE offers today.

Joe Medina, CPhT

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Re: IV Certification

Agreed. When I worked in a Pharmacy IV room in 1986,
I was trained on the job. Nowadays, cert is suggested
or required, depending on what you are hired for.
Some pharmacies will hire and train internally, some
will hire and suggest or provide training
concurrently, and some will require cert prior to
hire. When I was hired June 06, I needed cert first.
My (former) tech partner already worked in a hosp
pharmacy and was nearly cert, so she was hired at the
same time as I, and her cert completion was soon
after.

That's my 2 cents, and I'm sticking to it!

Richard Mangione, NPT
Cardinal Health NPS
Charlottesville, VA

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.

Not being unkind to our own pretend to be National Organization, NPTA,
but how can they claim to be serving our individual needs if they are
offering an "IV Certificate" that has no meaning? Forget it costs an
arm and a leg (598.00), or that its true value appears to be the 25
cent paper it may be printed on. It certainly does not show
proficiency or expertise of which should RIGHTLY be offered.

Just something to chew on when you pay your yearly, 2 year or 3 year
membership dues to this organization that seems to promise whatever
you want to hear.

Again, in a capitalistic nation, good for NPTA....but as far as
patient safety.... Shame on NPTA for making the almighty dollar over a
life that may be lost due to one of their "IV Certified" Techs who do
not know what the hell they are doing. Okay I am being unkind.

Joe Medina, CPhT

---------------
Joe,

I agree with you 100% on that, so many techs today who claim to be
certified can not tell the difference between brand and generic names,
but they have letters behind their name.

As far as IV certification I think that you learn more with practical
hands on training than any kind of material that a book can offer.

Greg Lane CPhT
Univ of Md Medical System

----------
When dealing with the making of IV in the practical sense which would
involve the correct use of Aseptic Technique, I believe that training
should be on-the-job and not dependent on one being IV Certified or not.

I am always the one to be controversial in specific areas when it
comes to the Pharmacy Technician profession. One of those is in the
area of formal education and in the term "certification" of which
today means much less than years before.

Many have jumped on the bandwagon when it comes to the offering of
certification and in doing so have profited a great deal (i.e. NPTA).
But, in offering certification, they do not offer proficiency,
expertise or similar terms that once applied to being certified.
Today what is being offered is a title behind your name that simply
means that you may or may not know what you are doing.

Case in point, our own national certification (i.e. PTCB), of which
one can place that CPhT proudly behind their name and yet not have
even worked in the Pharmacy setting. Or....IV Certification which
means that one read a book did the OPEN book exams and may or may not
have had a few hours of practical training, and yet....they are
recognized as IV Certified. By the way NPTA September 20 to 21st
classes are sold out, but still some left for October..only 598.00.

How do we correct this, we simply require...I mean mandate...that
anyone taking a certification exam, MUST have prior experience in the
field they are being certified in months or years. We also mandate
that they take an actual exam that is not open book and that they
demonstrate their practical skills and are graded honestly and not
simply passed because they paid their application or registration fee.

Is this something that will happen soon? Of course not. That would
be asking too much in a capitalistic nation that decides who qualifies
for formal education by their ability to get federal aid or student
loans. Or by the philosophy," you pay me what I am asking and I will
give you what you are asking for."

I offer an IV Certificate that I call: "Introduction to IV Admixtures
in both the Didactic and Practical Sense," which is worth 20 hours.
It comprises a manual/workbook and 6 hours of practical or hands-on
training. Does my program cost 598.00, No. much much less. Is my
certificate considered to be one of those IV Certified ones even
though it most likely is as good if not better than other programs who
claim to be IV Certified ones? No. Why? Because I believe that to be
IV Certified, one must show proficiency and expertise and in all
honesty, that cannot be done with what I or ANYONE offers
today.

Joe Medina, CPhT

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.

Hi Greg,

First of all thanks for agreeing with me as most do not and simply
believe all is good.

My contention with "formal education" and the vast number of "diploma
mills" was a main topic on Jeanetta's forum where many still believe
paying tens of thousands of dollars is the way to go in becoming a
Pharmacy Technician. Check out her forum and see my thoughts on
this....but please come back.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/jeanettasptcbstudygroup/

Joe Medina, CPhT

-----------
Joe,

I agree with you 100% on that, so many techs today who claim to be
certified can not tell the difference between brand and generic names,
but they have letters behind their name.

As far as IV certification I think that you learn more with practical
hands on training than any kind of material that a book can offer.

Greg Lane CPhT
Univ of Md Medical System

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.