Profession: Pharmacy Technician

The profession of pharmacy is changing more rapidly than ever before. Patients, too, are paying attention and often have questions or concerns about trending healthcare topics in the news. On a daily basis, information is released that has the potential to impact clinical processes and/or patient conversations at the pharmacy level. It is important, then, that pharmacists and pharmacy technicians remain abreast of trending newsworthy conversations related to healthcare. In this weekly session, the instructors carefully select the most noteworthy items from the headlines to discuss potential professional implications in this interactive and informative format.

In the forty plus years (1981- present) that he has worked in pharmacy, Professor Pete Kreckel has dispensed millions of prescriptions, and all of them were dispensed with the intention of helping people feel better, prolong their life, decrease their suffering, and improve their health overall. This presentation will focus on drugs (and their dark sides!) that he has dispensed over the years.  The “dark side” of pharmacotherapy includes drugs that were approved and removed, as well as still approved drugs with a very storied history. Although all of us pharmacists and technicians live by the saying “primum non nocere”, history indeed shows that frequently we have done the opposite.

The profession of pharmacy is changing more rapidly than ever before. Patients, too, are paying attention and often have questions or concerns about trending healthcare topics in the news. On a daily basis, information is released that has the potential to impact clinical processes and/or patient conversations at the pharmacy level. It is important, then, that pharmacists and pharmacy technicians remain abreast of trending newsworthy conversations related to healthcare. In this weekly session, the instructors carefully select the most noteworthy items from the headlines to discuss potential professional implications in this interactive and informative format.

The profession of pharmacy is changing more rapidly than ever before. Patients, too, are paying attention and often have questions or concerns about trending healthcare topics in the news. On a daily basis, information is released that has the potential to impact clinical processes and/or patient conversations at the pharmacy level. It is important, then, that pharmacists and pharmacy technicians remain abreast of trending newsworthy conversations related to healthcare. In this weekly session, the instructors carefully select the most noteworthy items from the headlines to discuss potential professional implications in this interactive and informative format.

Community Health Workers (CHWs) play an increasingly important role in improving access to care, addressing social drivers of health, and supporting patient-centered outcomes—particularly within community and pharmacy-based care models. This session provides a foundational overview of the CHW role, including core responsibilities, common practice environments, and how CHWs collaborate with pharmacists and interdisciplinary care teams to support patients beyond traditional clinical encounters.

Participants will examine the documented impact of CHW involvement on patient outcomes and care coordination, as well as emerging models that integrate CHWs into pharmacy and community health settings. The program also reviews state-level considerations for CHW training, certification, and continuing education, highlighting that requirements vary widely across states and may include formal certification, defined scopes of practice, or employer-based training pathways.

Designed to build awareness and regulatory understanding, this activity equips pharmacy professionals, technicians, and support staff with the knowledge needed to understand CHW roles, comply with applicable state expectations, and effectively collaborate with CHWs in evolving healthcare environments.

Implicit bias among healthcare professionals can significantly impact patient care delivery. This bias often manifests as communication breakdowns, which can create barriers to healthcare access and disrupt the provision of appropriate services. In this program, we will define and analyze the constructs of implicit bias and cultural competency within the healthcare context. The program will undertake a critical examination of relevant historical events and empirical studies, providing the healthcare team with actionable strategies to mitigate implicit bias, reduce health disparities, and enhance cultural awareness in clinical practice.

The profession of pharmacy is changing more rapidly than ever before. Patients, too, are paying attention and often have questions or concerns about trending healthcare topics in the news. On a daily basis, information is released that has the potential to impact clinical processes and/or patient conversations at the pharmacy level. It is important, then, that pharmacists and pharmacy technicians remain abreast of trending newsworthy conversations related to healthcare. In this weekly session, the instructors carefully select the most noteworthy items from the headlines to discuss potential professional implications in this interactive and informative format.

The profession of pharmacy is changing more rapidly than ever before. Patients, too, are paying attention and often have questions or concerns about trending healthcare topics in the news. On a daily basis, information is released that has the potential to impact clinical processes and/or patient conversations at the pharmacy level. It is important, then, that pharmacists and pharmacy technicians remain abreast of trending newsworthy conversations related to healthcare. In this weekly session, the instructors carefully select the most noteworthy items from the headlines to discuss potential professional implications in this interactive and informative format.

Half of computer-generated Spanish prescription labels are either inaccurate or incomplete, according to a study published by the American Academy of Pediatrics.  These lead to errors made by patients in following directions for use. Even the order of a Spanish speaker’s name can cause errors in labeling and filing. This course will equip you to give complete and accurate directions for use and will enable you to communicate with Spanish speaking patients with increased confidence as you learn basic pronunciation rules and how to structure sentences. No prior experience with the language is needed for this course, but enough pharmaceutical terminology is included to make it useful for even those with a background in the language.

Pharmaceutical compounding plays a vital role in optimizing medication therapies for pediatric patients. This continuing education activity will explore the unique challenges and opportunities involved in pediatric compounding, with a focus on preparing safe, effective, and quality therapies. Participants will review common pediatric dosage forms and consider the importance of flavoring to improve patient adherence. Additionally, the session will address key safety considerations specific to pediatric patients, empowering pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to meet the needs of this cohort while adhering to best practices and standards.

The profession of pharmacy is changing more rapidly than ever before. Patients, too, are paying attention and often have questions or concerns about trending healthcare topics in the news. On a daily basis, information is released that has the potential to impact clinical processes and/or patient conversations at the pharmacy level. It is important, then, that pharmacists and pharmacy technicians remain abreast of trending newsworthy conversations related to healthcare. In this weekly session, the instructors carefully select the most noteworthy items from the headlines to discuss potential professional implications in this interactive and informative format. 

This continuing education activity transforms the perception of HIPAA from a mandatory checklist to a vital element of patient care and professional ethics. Through the analysis of real-life case studies and scenarios, participants will examine the practical consequences of privacy violations, ranging from minor errors to high-stakes breaches. The course also explores the unique challenges of maintaining confidentiality across diverse practice settings, including independent, hospital, and chain pharmacies. Pharmacists will leave with actionable strategies to navigate complex privacy issues and strengthen patient trust.

Unlock the future of pharmacy practice with this evidence-based session on Standard of Care (SOC) and its transformative impact on the profession. This program will break down the legal concept of SOC, comparing it to Bright Line Rules and examining its application in pharmacy. Through a review of published literature, legal frameworks, and more, attendees will gain insight into how states across the country are shifting toward this model and what it means for pharmacists and technicians. The session will outline the step-by-step approach states have taken to implement and advocate for SOC, highlighting both the barriers and opportunities that come with this change. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how SOC empowers pharmacy professionals to practice at the top of their license, the legal trends driving state-level movements, and actionable strategies for advocacy and implementation. Don’t miss this opportunity to stay ahead of shifts and be part of the future of pharmacy practice.

The profession of pharmacy is changing more rapidly than ever before. Patients, too, are paying attention and often have questions or concerns about trending healthcare topics in the news. On a daily basis, information is released that has the potential to impact clinical processes and/or patient conversations at the pharmacy level. It is important, then, that pharmacists and pharmacy technicians remain abreast of trending newsworthy conversations related to healthcare. In this weekly session, the instructors carefully select the most noteworthy items from the headlines to discuss potential professional implications in this interactive and informative format.

The profession of pharmacy is changing more rapidly than ever before. Patients, too, are paying attention and often have questions or concerns about trending healthcare topics in the news. On a daily basis, information is released that has the potential to impact clinical processes and/or patient conversations at the pharmacy level. It is important, then, that pharmacists and pharmacy technicians remain abreast of trending newsworthy conversations related to healthcare. In this weekly session, the instructors carefully select the most noteworthy items from the headlines to discuss potential professional implications in this interactive and informative format.

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) oversees the regulation of drugs subject to abuse and pharmacists are aware of their 5 schedules. However, the classification of a drug is not fixed and may be updated over time. This activity will examine DEA scheduling criteria and highlight examples of substances being considered for changes, demonstrating different regulatory rationales.  Four drugs with distinctive regulatory and public policy characteristics, marijuana, psychedelic drugs, kratom, and tianeptine, will be compared and the possible impact of these changes on pharmacy practice will be discussed.

Community Health Workers (CHWs) play an increasingly important role in improving access to care, addressing social drivers of health, and supporting patient-centered outcomes—particularly within community and pharmacy-based care models. This session provides a foundational overview of the CHW role, including core responsibilities, common practice environments, and how CHWs collaborate with pharmacists and interdisciplinary care teams to support patients beyond traditional clinical encounters.

Participants will examine the documented impact of CHW involvement on patient outcomes and care coordination, as well as emerging models that integrate CHWs into pharmacy and community health settings. The program also reviews state-level considerations for CHW training, certification, and continuing education, highlighting that requirements vary widely across states and may include formal certification, defined scopes of practice, or employer-based training pathways.

Designed to build awareness and regulatory understanding, this activity equips pharmacy professionals, technicians, and support staff with the knowledge needed to understand CHW roles, comply with applicable state expectations, and effectively collaborate with CHWs in evolving healthcare environments.

The profession of pharmacy is changing more rapidly than ever before. Patients, too, are paying attention and often have questions or concerns about trending healthcare topics in the news. On a daily basis, information is released that has the potential to impact clinical processes and/or patient conversations at the pharmacy level. It is important, then, that pharmacists and pharmacy technicians remain abreast of trending newsworthy conversations related to healthcare. In this weekly session, the instructors carefully select the most noteworthy items from the headlines to discuss potential professional implications in this interactive and informative format.

This course will offer practical, case-based learning focused on the most essential, relevant information needed by pharmacists to complete comprehensive medication reviews (CMRs). This program will feature clinical vignettes, the incorporation of the latest practice guidelines and therapeutic recommendations, the identification of clinically relevant drug interactions, and the review of appropriate monitoring parameters. Given the limited time and medical information available during a typical MTM session, clinical pearls and common-sense approaches to dispel misinformation and promote adherence (and/or deprescribing) will be provided as well.