Board Certified Geriatric Pharmacist

[VictorOfHungerGames]

I know there were a few posts about BCGP and the exam so wanted to ask for some advise from those who are certified.

- what would be the best way to prepare? I know ashp has an online course and practice exams but how helpful are they?

- one of the requirements is 50% of my practice time spent in geriatric related activities. So does that mean i would have to show proof of my work in geriatric?

Thank you guys in advance.

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[pharm B]

Starting with the Spring 2019 exam, you have to have your employer certify your time spent in specialty-related activities. This is posted on their website at:
BPS To Introduce Practice Eligibility Attestation Requirement in 2019 - Board of Pharmacy Specialties

Effective January 1, 2019: All applicants intending to demonstrate eligibility for any BPS certification examination with practice experience must provide an attestation from their employer that verifies this experience accurately represents 50% of time spent in some or all of the activities defined by the applicable certification content outline. In addition, this practice experience must have occurred within the seven years immediately preceding the application.

To assist applicants and employers with this attestation, an electronic form is presently under development and planned for use in applications for the Spring 2019 examination (for which the application window will open in January 2019).

I think I passed, and I think it's partly because I spent so much time focused on Domain 1: General Principles of Aging (20% of the examination) and Domain 3: Population and Public Health (20% the examination). I liked ASCP's Geriatrics 101, which was a decent deal for $99. Not sure about the ASHP certification stuff. It seems like a good deal if you can do their new practitioner package where it's free now and then a regular payment monthly after certification to get your CE.

 

[VictorOfHungerGames]

Starting with the Spring 2019 exam, you have to have your employer certify your time spent in specialty-related activities. This is posted on their website at:
BPS To Introduce Practice Eligibility Attestation Requirement in 2019 - Board of Pharmacy Specialties



I think I passed, and I think it's partly because I spent so much time focused on Domain 1: General Principles of Aging (20% of the examination) and Domain 3: Population and Public Health (20% the examination). I liked ASCP's Geriatrics 101, which was a decent deal for $99. Not sure about the ASHP certification stuff. It seems like a good deal if you can do their new practitioner package where it's free now and then a regular payment monthly after certification to get your CE.

Interesting... so unless you work at a geriatric related field, you can't even take the exam anymore?

 

[deleted950169]

Interesting... so unless you work at a geriatric related field, you can't even take the exam anymore?

Why would you want to take it if you don't work with geriatrics? But considering the patient population of most pharmacy roles, I doubt an employer would refuse to certify the hours.

 

[VictorOfHungerGames]

Why would you want to take it if you don't work with geriatrics? But considering the patient population of most pharmacy roles, I doubt an employer would refuse to certify the hours.

Because I want to work with geriatric patients?

Not everyone can get into long term care pharmacy or geriatric residencies... would have to find other ways to get there. I've been applying for LTC pharmacies but no luck so far. I'm not taking a 75% paycut to apply for residencies...

 

[pharm B]

Interesting... so unless you work at a geriatric related field, you can't even take the exam anymore?

I think it’s still the honor system. If your supervisor feels you work 50% of your time helping geriatric patients, they should feel comfortable signing it.

 

[steveysmith54]

Sounds stupid. An exam is an exam, if you know the material and can pass, does it matter if you work 49.5% on geriatric crap...

Sounds like a bunch of bull****

 

[owlegrad]

Interesting... so unless you work at a geriatric related field, you can't even take the exam anymore?

“Anymore”? Wasn’t that always the policy?

 

[deleted950169]

Because I want to work with geriatric patients?

Not everyone can get into long term care pharmacy or geriatric residencies... would have to find other ways to get there. I've been applying for LTC pharmacies but no luck so far. I'm not taking a 75% paycut to apply for residencies...

There's plenty of other paths into geriatrics besides ltc and residency, and board certification isn't required (I'd say a consultant license is way more often listed on preferred qualifications than bcgp). Not a very large amount of openings perhaps, but it is definitely possible (says person who has done it in the past year). But yea, if you live in an area with a high geriatric population, I don't think it'll be an issue regardless

 

[PetMed]

The BPS certification process is stupid as it requires employment verification and everyone knows that a good friend can simply sign the employment form so you can take the exam.
Needless to say you don't need a BC in Geriatric as it is not preferred or required by most LTC facilities.
BPS is just another scam.

Sounds stupid. An exam is an exam, if you know the material and can pass, does it matter if you work 49.5% on geriatric crap...

Sounds like a bunch of bull****