Extra certifications

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MdBrndPhrmcst

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So I'm studying for BCPS to hopefully take this october. I started looking into other certifications that I could take. Below are some of the specs on the certifications. Any opionions on which ones are useful? any ones that you think are a waste of time? I guess things to consider are extent of recognition, how difficult/expensive it is to obtain and maintain certification, and how much getting the certification will improve your clinical knowledge.

As for some background on my practice:
I'm a primary care clinical pharmacist working for an HMO. We do a little bit of everything. Focus alot on HTN, DM and Dyslip. I see a wide variety of pts ranging from age 30-90 most are in between 40-65.

My thought are once I finish BCPS I'll have awhole lot of knowledge and maybe I should tackle the CGP next since it is the next broadest topic and the BCPS factiods might still be in my brain. I figure I can knock out the BC-ADM and the CDE in the same year since studying for one would probably help when studying for the other.

Anyone think getting all 4 would be overkill?

CGP:
Price of test: $600
Price of Review Course: $579 (Has CE's)
Price for recertification:$250 + $600
CE credits for recertification: 75
Time span for recertification: 5 years

BC-ADM
Price of test: $340
Price of Review Course: $200
Price for initial certification: $390
Price for recertification: $350 ($280 if in APHA)
CE credits for recertification: 75
Time span for recertification: 5

BCPS
Price of test: $600
Price of Review Course: $498 (has CE's)
Price for Recertification: $400 + $100 a year + psap courses $$$$
CE credits for recertification: 120
Time span for recertification: 7 years

CDE:
Price of test: $350
Price of Review Course: ??
Price for recertification: $250
CE credits for recertification: 75
Time span for recertification: 5
 
nah, I'm a nerd and would like to one day be njac, Pharm.D., RPh, DABAT, BCPS
 
njac said:
nah, I'm a nerd and would like to one day be njac, Pharm.D., RPh, DABAT, BCPS
Click to expand...

What the heck is DABAT?



I know a lot of those CDE type certificates require so many hours of practice experience.
 
What is the point of getting all the certifications? Will you get paid more money? Will it open doors to more opportunities? If the point is to get a bunch of alphabet soup after your name, well I can think of alot better ways to spend my time and money.
 
MountainPharmD said:
What is the point of getting all the certifications? Will you get paid more money? Will it open doors to more opportunities? If the point is to get a bunch of alphabet soup after your name, well I can think of alot better ways to spend my time and money.
Click to expand...

We get a raise...can't remember how much though.

I'm shooting for board cert this October.

What are you supposed to do...make your name 2 lines on your business card though?!? 😉
 
MdBrndPhrmcst said:
So I'm studying for BCPS to hopefully take this october. I started looking into other certifications that I could take. Below are some of the specs on the certifications. Any opionions on which ones are useful? any ones that you think are a waste of time? I guess things to consider are extent of recognition, how difficult/expensive it is to obtain and maintain certification, and how much getting the certification will improve your clinical knowledge.

As for some background on my practice:
I'm a primary care clinical pharmacist working for an HMO. We do a little bit of everything. Focus alot on HTN, DM and Dyslip. I see a wide variety of pts ranging from age 30-90 most are in between 40-65.

My thought are once I finish BCPS I'll have awhole lot of knowledge and maybe I should tackle the CGP next since it is the next broadest topic and the BCPS factiods might still be in my brain. I figure I can knock out the BC-ADM and the CDE in the same year since studying for one would probably help when studying for the other.

Anyone think getting all 4 would be overkill?

CGP:
Price of test: $600
Price of Review Course: $579 (Has CE's)
Price for recertification:$250 + $600
CE credits for recertification: 75
Time span for recertification: 5 years

BC-ADM
Price of test: $340
Price of Review Course: $200
Price for initial certification: $390
Price for recertification: $350 ($280 if in APHA)
CE credits for recertification: 75
Time span for recertification: 5

BCPS
Price of test: $600
Price of Review Course: $498 (has CE's)
Price for Recertification: $400 + $100 a year + psap courses $$$$
CE credits for recertification: 120
Time span for recertification: 7 years

CDE:
Price of test: $350
Price of Review Course: ??
Price for recertification: $250
CE credits for recertification: 75
Time span for recertification: 5
Click to expand...
Why not get AE-C while you're at it? (Asthma Educator Certified)
 
Yeah, the CDE requires:

A minimum of two years (to the day) of professional practice experience in diabetes self-management education.
AND

A minimum of 1,000 hours of diabetes self-management education experience.

I know that the CGP requirements are at least 1-2 years of pharmacy experience.

How do I know this? Because I have been thinking the same thing too. I want that extra certification to open more opportunities (plus I love diabetes). Not that it will help me in the immediate future as a retail pharmacist... But additionally, the fact that I get additional training will be amazing especially towards geriatrics and diabetes care.

Personally, I would recommend getting all of them. One of the reasons being....you can take up TWO lines on your business card!
 
stevephhs016 said:
Yeah, the CDE requires:

A minimum of two years (to the day) of professional practice experience in diabetes self-management education.
AND

A minimum of 1,000 hours of diabetes self-management education experience.

I know that the CGP requirements are at least 1-2 years of pharmacy experience.

How do I know this? Because I have been thinking the same thing too. I want that extra certification to open more opportunities (plus I love diabetes). Not that it will help me in the immediate future as a retail pharmacist... But additionally, the fact that I get additional training will be amazing especially towards geriatrics and diabetes care.

Personally, I would recommend getting all of them. One of the reasons being....you can take up TWO lines on your business card!
Click to expand...

not related to topic...but..

youre class of 2009, when did u graduate?? i'm class of 2009 too but still didn't finish exams..
 
MountainPharmD said:
What is the point of getting all the certifications? Will you get paid more money? Will it open doors to more opportunities? If the point is to get a bunch of alphabet soup after your name, well I can think of alot better ways to spend my time and money.
Click to expand...


Well first off in some job you will get paid more money. And I do belive that it will open doors. Of course there are many factor which play into getting a job but I think having a bunch of certifications shows that you are someone who is willing to take initiative and is serious about life long learning (not say those who don't have the certifications aren't).

And most importantly I do believe that it will make me do my job better. I know that as I go through the BCPS material I'm learning and relearning new things that I can apply to the pts I see everyday. There have been several times when reading a chapter I've thought "ohh that might be helpful for Mr/Mrs So and so." In addition part of my job is serving as a drug information resource for the physcians. The BCPS workbook is chalk full of valuable resources/references at the end of each section.


So my queston is I already know that the BCPS is well worth it. How about these other certifications?


Finally about the alphabet soup comment.. ehh nevermind I don't want to start an arguement.
 
67echo said:
Why not get AE-C while you're at it? (Asthma Educator Certified)
Click to expand...

Yeah I heard about the AE-C. It's a possiblity however since I don't see/treat many asthmatics I probably wouldn't pass (I heard it was very difficult) and I think it would be misleading for me to get it since even after I was certified I probably wouldn't consider myself an "asthma expert" since I lack the clinical experience of treating them day in and day out. There is also a new certification in HIV management if I'm not mistaken but I wouldn't get it for the same reason.


I'm the type of person who needs to kinda see and practice something everyday for it to really stick unfortunately I can't just read and translate it to everyday practice effortlessly.
 
MdBrndPhrmcst said:
Well first off in some job you will get paid more money.

So my queston is I already know that the BCPS is well worth it. How about these other certifications?
.
Click to expand...

I asked about this on the residency trail - most places do not give any extra pay for BCPS. Some will pay for the testing after you pass, and a one time bonus, but it wasn't used for higher salary or hourly wage.
 
njac said:
I asked about this on the residency trail - most places do not give any extra pay for BCPS. Some will pay for the testing after you pass, and a one time bonus, but it wasn't used for higher salary or hourly wage.
Click to expand...

This is true.. I know the VA does give you a pay increase. And kaiser will pay for the exam...
 
I'm surprised no one has mentioned MHA - a family member has that and is a hospital CEO.
 
njac said:
I'm surprised no one has mentioned MHA - a family member has that and is a hospital CEO.
Click to expand...

lol.now we are getting away from certifications and getting into degrees
 
If it nets you extra pay, prestige, intellectual stimulation, or whatever...good on you and go for it! I do have my doubts about how useful all those certs will actually be in the field and one's career (not you specifically).

I recently spoke with a clinical hiring manager who told me it was a commonly held belief that people with a bunch of certifications most likely possessed broad but not in-depth knowledge in their field. Often, "...we are more interested in filling specific gaps in team expertise." The logic being that sure, you've got lots of certifications; but, it's highly unlikely you're an expert in all of them. He continued, "By and large, we tended to hire people with one or two specialties enriched by several (5+) years of focussed clinical practice."

Just one professional's opinion, I'm sure it's not everyones. But there ya go. So I guess it all depends on your situation ;-)
 
solzont said:
If it nets you extra pay, prestige, intellectual stimulation, or whatever...good on you and go for it! I do have my doubts about how useful all those certs will actually be in the field and one's career (not you specifically).

I recently spoke with a clinical hiring manager who told me it was a commonly held belief that people with a bunch of certifications most likely possessed broad but not in-depth knowledge in their field. Often, "...we are more interested in filling specific gaps in team expertise." The logic being that sure, you've got lots of certifications; but, it's highly unlikely you're an expert in all of them. He continued, "By and large, we tended to hire people with one or two specialties enriched by several (5+) years of focussed clinical practice."

Just one professional's opinion, I'm sure it's not everyones. But there ya go. So I guess it all depends on your situation ;-)
Click to expand...


that guy/girl is an idiot
 
I wonder if it will help me with the ladies 😎...probably not:laugh::laugh::laugh:
 
if you're going to utilize the tremendous amount of information and training from these certifications on a daily basis, then I see why not.

Good luck!
 
At the VA, you get a two-step increase for every certification you receive. Each step is $1651. An MBA or MHA gives you 3 or 4 steps. The good thing is you don't actually have to use the certs in your job because they can't guarantee you a job in that area if none is available.
 
Congrats, Spiriva!
 
Congrats Spiriva and Karm! I'm planning on BCPS in 2010 - do you have any tips for me, Karm?

Maybe if I can't figure this out, I have no business taking the BCPS, but do you have to use PSAP for recert or can you use any ACPE CEs? From the ACCP website, I really can't tell.
 
museabuse said:
Congrats can I ask what study material and or class you used?
Click to expand...

Primarily, just my own 140+ page study guide I compiled over the past few years. This is exactly what I did throughout school too....I typed up a thorough, comprehensive study guide (at which point I make sure I truly understand the material)...then just review it a couple times to remember it.

To recertify (every seven years) we can just take the first part of the exam again...Or complete 70 hours of CE's. Good thing though is those CE's also apply to state license renewal as well, and they're actually quite challenging/worthwhile, unlike most I've come across.
 
spacecowgirl said:
Congrats Spiriva and Karm! I'm planning on BCPS in 2010 - do you have any tips for me, Karm?

Maybe if I can't figure this out, I have no business taking the BCPS, but do you have to use PSAP for recert or can you use any ACPE CEs? From the ACCP website, I really can't tell.
Click to expand...

I think PSAPS are too detailed for the level this exams tests. I would suggest using the "Pharmacotherapy Prep Course" materials in the ACCP website. That, plus good practice experience, were enough to take the exam. I think it says somewhere on the ACCP website that candidates who spend most of their time dispensing actually do worse on the exam...i.e. the exam tests application of information to various pt cases.
 
VancTheTank said:
I still read threads here and there. Got a little burned out with all of the salary/job shortage discussions. I do, however, enjoy the upbeat threads and those about new travels and beer. :laugh:
Click to expand...

In that case...drank or been anywhere worth mentioning recently? 🙂

Have a trip coming up to Tennessee in a couple weeks. But my big plans for '10 is a 2 week trip to Hawaii I'm looking forward to.
 
KARM12 said:
I think PSAPS are too detailed for the level this exams tests. I would suggest using the "Pharmacotherapy Prep Course" materials in the ACCP website. That, plus good practice experience, were enough to take the exam. I think it says somewhere on the ACCP website that candidates who spend most of their time dispensing actually do worse on the exam...i.e. the exam tests application of information to various pt cases.
Click to expand...

No, I meant for recertification, not the initial test. I'm planning to get the Prep Course and maybe go to ACCP in April.
 
spacecowgirl said:
No, I meant for recertification, not the initial test. I'm planning to get the Prep Course and maybe go to ACCP in April.
Click to expand...

So do you plan on purchasing the 2009 Prep Course Book or do you plan on waiting till the 2010 prep material comes out? I won't be going to ACCP in April. I've just recently have been thinking of taking the exam in Oct.
 
spacecowgirl said:
No, I meant for recertification, not the initial test. I'm planning to get the Prep Course and maybe go to ACCP in April.
Click to expand...

Do you by any chance know of any study groups going on online for the 2010 exam?
 
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