2020 has been a challenging year for everyone but especially for healthcare workers on the front lines. Due to this, it’s important, now more than ever, that pharmacy technicians practice at the very top of their license. While boards of pharmacy have traditionally limited pharmacy technician practice from performing such tasks like final product verification, administering immunizations to patients, or performing CLIA-waived point of care testing, more and more states are undergoing the process of reviewing, discussing, and in some cases, changing their rules to permit properly trained technicians to perform these and other tasks.

To further seize on this trend, NHA has spearheaded an initiative to bring together representatives from some of the biggest pharmacy organizations in the industry.  The initiative, The Coalition for the Advancement of Pharmacy Technician Practice, aims to work together to stay up to date with current state boards of pharmacy that are discussing this very important topic and to engage other state boards of pharmacy to consider broadening pharmacy technician scope of practice.

By bringing together retail pharmacy  giants like Albertsons Companies, Walmart, Kroger and Walgreens, along with state pharmacy associations, pharmacy academicians, and organizations such as the Pharmacy Technician Educators Council, the coalition’s collective voice and singular mission is to further expedite the spread of states allowing pharmacy technicians to do more.  This support from the industry will be key to continuing to elevate the pharmacy profession across the nation.

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a pharmacy technician in Canada? We've got you covered. Don’t miss this information packed episode that provides insights into pharmacy practices outside of the US. 

NHA P360 Vitals™ could be the secret sauce for remediation planning in remote and hybrid learning environments. If you are using NHA online exam preparation materials as part of your instruction— you already have access! Its powerful analytics allow you to see inside the study habits and comprehension levels of your class, at both the cohort and individual level.

Think of this tool as your assistant coach for the classroom. Based on data gathered from the many quizzes and activities inside the study materials, P360 Vitals will help you group students of similar skill or comprehension levels and then makes data-backed recommendations on what content areas they should focus on. 

Pharmacy technicians are an indispensable part of the pharmacy team. Without them, pharmacists would be overwhelmed and business would slow to a crawl. An overworked pharmacist is not only more likely to get burned out, but also to commit medication errors that can put patients at serious risk.

Join us for a free webinar to hear from an educator who relied on NHA’s virtual simulation product solutions as programs moved on-line. See a demo of PersonAbility™  and Principles of Health Coaching™ along with implementation tools. We have the resources in this unpredictable time that can help flex your plan, whether your programs are on-line, in the classroom or a combination.

In the era of COVID-19, virtual events and conferences are supporting health educators, encouraging them to keep learning and adapting to our current normal.  The 2020 Career Education Colleges and Universities Virtual Convention offered an opportunity to grow from each other’s experience, as well as that of industry experts. Among the highlights, two informative panel discussions led by the CECU President and CEO Steve Gunderson explored the future of postsecondary career education and what work may look like post-pandemic.

Here are three overarching conference themes

• Stackable programs and credentials
• Strengthening school and employer relationships
• Accessibility and flexibility

Controlled substance abuse is an ongoing challenge for medical professionals. The opioid crisis has lasted for well over a decade with no end in sight, and even when it’s eventually brought under control, other controlled substances will still have recreational appeal.

Work/life balance can be difficult to achieve, especially for working professionals who also carry the title of “mom.”  In this episode, Jeremy and Jessica interview Dr. Suzy Soliman, the founder of the Facebook group “Pharmacist Moms.” 

Should healthcare employers be providing training to improve soft skills such as communication? If so, when?

While the medical and science community continues to deepen its understanding of the novel coronavirus, the most effective prevention strategies are in the hands of patients. Washing hands, social distancing, wearing a mask in public, disinfecting frequently-touched surfaces, and reviewing personal risk are all behaviors that can help reduce patients' risk of COVID-19.

A panel of higher education leaders joined together for an online forum to discuss how they are adjusting in the educator space to teach both simulation and externship skills and objectives during the time of COVID-19.