As a pharmacist, you are instrumental in helping people overcome illness and injury by dispensing medication and educating about benefits and side effects. But while you have clinical experience and formal education under your belt, there’s always something new to learn. Here’s a list of some pharmacy certifications we’ve identified that you might want to consider obtaining so you can expand your knowledge and move up in your career.
What are the different types of pharmacist certifications?
There are two different types of certifications you can obtain as a licensed pharmacist: board certifications and general certifications.Â
Board certifications are given by the Board of Pharmacy Specialties and are geared toward specialty pharmacists so they can illustrate their advanced clinical skills.Â
General certifications are overseen by many different organizations and are a great way for pharmacists to enhance their CV and demonstrate to facilities that they are taking continuing education seriously.
Board Certifications
Looking to take on a specific pharmacy specialty? Here’s a list of some the board certifications you can work toward to boost your career and expand your pharmaceutical knowledge:
- Ambulatory Care Pharmacy (BCACP)
- For pharmacists providing care to ambulatory patients.
- Cardiology Pharmacy (BCCP)
- For pharmacists providing direct care to patients with cardiovascular disease.Â
- Compounded Sterile Preparations Pharmacy (BCSCP)
- For pharmacists who ensure that sterile medication preparations meet the needs of patients.Â
- Critical Care Pharmacy (BCCCP)
- For pharmacists who design, implement, and monitor pharmacy treatments to critically ill patients.
- Emergency Medicine Pharmacy (BCEMP)
- For pharmacists who provide bedside care to patients in emergency medicine settings.Â
- Geriatric Pharmacy (BCGP)
- For pharmacists who primarily provide care to elderly patients.Â
- Infectious Diseases Pharmacy (BCIDP)
- For pharmacists who leverage microbiology and pharmacology to create antimicrobial medication regimens for patients.Â
- Nuclear Pharmacy (BCNP)
- For pharmacists who procure, prepare, and dispense radiopharmaceuticals.Â
- Nutrition Support Pharmacy (BCNSP)
- For pharmacists who evaluate the nutritional status of patients receiving nutrition support.Â
- Oncology Pharmacy (BCOP)
- For pharmacists who are part of the care team for cancer patients.Â
- Pediatric Pharmacy (BCPPS)
- For pharmacists who primarily provide care to children.Â
- Pharmacotherapy (BCPS)
- For pharmacists who optimize medication therapy for patients in their direct care.Â
- Psychiatric Pharmacy (BCPP)
- For pharmacists who primarily work with patients with mental health challenges.Â
- Solid Organ Transplantation Pharmacy (BCTXP)
- For pharmacists who provide pharmacotherapy to patients who are donors, recipients, or candidates for solid organ transplants.Â
General CertificationsÂ
There are plenty of other general professional certificates pharmacists can obtain to demonstrate on your CV that you take learning about new developments in the field seriously. Here are just a few of the certifications you should look into obtaining:
Pain Management Certificate
This certificate, administered by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), is for pharmacists who want to expand their skills in treating patients who are in pain.Â
Pharmacogenomics Certificate
The pharmacogenomics certificate, also administered by the ASHP, is for pharmacists who want to learn more about how to properly implement pharmacogenomics in a healthcare setting.Â
Anticoagulation Certificate
The anticoagulation certificate, administered by the ASHP, is for pharmacists who are interested in learning more about anticoagulation therapy management.Â
Certified Specialty Pharmacist (CSP)
The Certified Specialty Pharmacist (CSP) certification is administered by the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy and is for pharmacists who are looking to demonstrate their proficiency in specialty pharmaceuticals.Â
Certified Medical Interpreter
Administered by the National Board of Certification for Medical Interpreters, the Certified Medical Interpreter certification is for pharmacists who are looking to bridge the language barrier in medicine.Â
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