Professional_Knowledge_and_Abilities_Paper

Professional Knowledge and Abilities Paper Clarence Harris Gen 200 2-27-2010 Mrs. Zambrano Professional Knowledge and Abilities Paper “Founded in 1979, the American Association of Pharmacy Technicians (AAPT) is an international not-for-profit educational and professional organization dedicated to the improved delivery of pharmaceutical services through exchange, development, and dissemination of information. With the expansion of pharmacy technology, educational requirements are essential for pharmacy technicians. Recognizing the value of continuing education, AAPT established a Continuing Education Service. This service provides program participants an opportunity to acquire CE credits. AAPT CES is an official provider of CE credits for pharmacy technicians.” (American Association of Pharmacy Technicians 2009). The American Association of Pharmacy Technicians can contribute towards increasing my professional knowledge and abilities by the continuing education courses that they offer. Being a pharmacy technician I am required to get twenty CE credits to keep my national certification and ten to keep my state certification in South Carolina. These continuing education courses are designed to keep technicians up on the latest technology, new medications on the market, leadership abilities, pharmacy law and policies. The information that comes from the continuing education programs is very instrumental in the daily operations of pharmacy. Due to the constant changing of medications and pharmacy laws in how medication is dispensed. The information from CE programs can be viewed as a safety mechanism for healthcare providers and patients. It gives healthcare providers the vital information that is needed to properly dispense the medication without causing harm to patients as well as provide the patient with the best possible way to take the medication. In conclusion “AAPT represents technicians practicing in hospitals, ambulatory and extended care facilities, community pharmacies, and as educators” (American Association of Pharmacy Technicians 2009). The field of pharmacy has become so diverse and “with the increased use of technical personnel in pharmacies, and the evolving role of the pharmacist as a patient consult” (American Association of Pharmacy Technicians 2009). The knowledge that technicians and pharmacists get from continuing educations programs is essential to providing the best possible care in pharmacy. References American Association of Pharmacy Technicians. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.pharmacytechnician.com/index.cfm