PTCB Announces New Employer Partnership Program

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) is pleased to announce the launch of the Employer Partnership Program, designed for national chain, community, and health-system pharmacies that want to encourage pharmacy technicians to participate in the PTCB certification program.

By becoming an Advocate Partner, employers receive a variety of complimentary benefits and resources from PTCB. Offerings include free individual verification of a pharmacy technician's certification status, monthly newsletters, company recognition on PTCB's website, and discounts on the Official PTCB Practice Exam™.

"Employers are an integral part of pharmacy practice," said Megan Sheahan, PharmD, PTCB Director of Professional Affairs. "The tools provided by this new program will help employers facilitate the professional development of their employees and support workplace safety initiatives through PTCB certification."

A recent study found that certification not only benefits pharmacy technicians, but also employers by allowing pharmacists to focus on direct patient care activities, ensuring a higher quality of care and safety for patients. Employers who support PTCB certification consistently report reduced pharmacist and pharmacy technician turnover and reduced pharmacy technician training times and costs.(1)

"A competent workforce is critical to the safety of our patients," said Joe Gibson, Senior Manager of Training for Kerr Drug, Inc. "We are excited to partner with PTCB and demonstrate our commitment to improving care while providing our associates with the means to demonstrate their pharmacy knowledge."

To learn more about the Employer Partnership Program, please visit www.ptcb.org, or contact Jill Levin, PTCB Manager of Partnership Development, at (202) 448-8724.

(1) Pharmacists' Perceptions of the Value of Technician Certification through a Nationally Accredited Certification Program, Journal of Pharmacy Technology, 2010.

About PTCB
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) was established in 1995 and is governed by the American Pharmacists Association, the American Society of Health‐System Pharmacists, the Illinois Council of Health‐System Pharmacists, the Michigan Pharmacists Association, and the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. The goal of PTCB's national certification program is to enable pharmacy technicians to work with pharmacists to offer safe and effective patient care and service. Pharmacy technicians may apply to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam at www.ptcb.org.

SOURCE Pharmacy Technician Certification Board