North Central Kansas Technical College (NCK Tech) was recently notified of an important change affecting the programmatic accreditation of pharmacy technician
training programs. A new commission, the Pharmacy Technician Accreditation Commission (PTAC), is being formed through collaboration with the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). PTAC will make accreditation recommendations regarding pharmacy technician education and training programs that will be approved by both the ASHP and ACPE Boards. Previously ASHP accredited pharmacy technician training programs (since 1982) and pharmacy residencies (since 1963), while ACPE accredited professional degree programs in pharmacy (since 1932).
The NCK Tech Pharmacy Technician program, located on the Hays campus, is currently accredited with ASHP and is recognized by the Kansas State Board of Pharmacy as a research and teaching site. Pharmacy technicians serve as support staff to pharmacists and provide safe patient care in a world
with increasingly complex medication therapies. “This change will allow our program to be accredited by the same commission as the University of Kansas pharmacy program and I’m very pleased with the new process”, said Brian Dechant, NCK Tech Pharmacy Technician Program Chair and instructor.
PTAC will consist of nine voting members, from diverse backgrounds, all committed to pharmacy technician education and training. PTAC will draw upon the strengths from both ACPE and ASHP, as well respected accrediting agencies, to help bring wider acceptance and demand for accredited training across the pharmacy profession and health care continuum.
ACPE is the preeminent national accreditation body for professional degree programs in pharmacy and providers of continuing pharmacy education. ASHP is the national professional organization whose 40,000 members include pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy students. For 70 years, the Society has been on the forefront of efforts to improve medication use and enhance patient safety, including the accreditation of pharmacy residencies and pharmacy technician training and education programs. “ACPE is pleased to engage in this important collaboration that will create synergy between ASHP’s work in accrediting pharmacy technician training programs and ACPE’s insights and deep expertise in accrediting pharmacy degree programs,” said Peter H. Vlasses, Pharm.D., DSc (Hon), BCPS, FCCP, ACPE’s Executive Director. “We believe that this team effort will augment the needed quality and consistency in the education of pharmacy technicians and help technician graduates meet the evolving needs of the pharmacy profession in all sectors of practice.”
NCK Tech, with campuses in Beloit and Hays, provides life-long educational opportunities and is dedicated to providing the educational training and skills necessary for a successful career in today’s world. For further information on NCK Tech, please visit www.ncktc.edu.