PTCB Collaborates with American Pharmacists Association To Develop Immunization Credential Program

Washington, DC – The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB), the nation’s leading certifying organization for pharmacy technicians, is pleased to announce a collaboration with the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) to provide pharmacy technician credentialing in immunization delivery to those completing the APhA/Washington State University Pharmacy-Based Immunization Administration by Pharmacy Technicians program.  

The training program will serve as a stepping stone for PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technicians (CPhTs) to earn an Assessment-Based Certificate. Developed by APhA in partnership with Washington State University, the training program provides pharmacy technicians with the knowledge and skills they need to safely administer vaccinations to patients.

“This very exciting collaboration builds on APhA’s decades of experience in delivering pharmacy-based immunization training,” said Daniel Zlott, PharmD, BCOP, Vice President of Professional Education Resources for APhA. “The program will ensure that pharmacy technicians who complete the training are well-positioned to support immunization-related services within pharmacies, while the US identifies solutions to meet the increased demand for vaccine services that we anticipate in the face of the upcoming flu season, provision of routine vaccines, and the release of a COVID-19 vaccine,” he said.

“The demand for immunizations in the pharmacy setting is growing, and technicians are critical to successfully meeting that demand,” said William Schimmel, PTCB Executive Director and CEO. “APhA is the leading authority on immunization training for pharmacists, so we are pleased to collaborate with them on this program for technicians.” APhA has conducted immunization training for pharmacists for almost 25 years. The new certificate will be one of the credentials that can count toward becoming an Advanced Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT-Adv).

“Pharmacy technicians are an integral component of optimal pharmacy practice,” said Scott Knoer, MS, PharmD, FASHP, Chairman of the PTCB Board of Governors, and APhA CEO and Executive Vice President. “Offering this credential will support the expanding role of  pharmacy technicians as important members of the pharmacy care team focusing on improving the health of their communities.”

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