In Singapore, one of the most common
ways to enhance your clinical skills as a pharmacist is to take a Board
Certification. Locally, one of the most popular Board Certification is
the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) administered by the American
Pharmacist Association (APhA).
BCP was set up in 1976, with the mission of promoting the recognition and value of specialized training, knowledge, and skills in pharmacy and speciality board certification of pharmacists. It is a well know post-licensure certification agency worldwide that operates across the profession to provide speciality certification of pharmacists.
Today, the association recognises eight different specialities areas of Pharmacy: Ambulatory Care Pharmacy, Critical Care Pharmacy, Nuclear Pharmacy, Nutrition Support Pharmacy, Oncology Pharmacy, Pediatric Pharmacy, Pharmacotherapy and Psychiatric Pharmacy. Over 24,000 pharmacists are certified in the eight specialities areas of pharmacy worldwide to date.
BCP was set up in 1976, with the mission of promoting the recognition and value of specialized training, knowledge, and skills in pharmacy and speciality board certification of pharmacists. It is a well know post-licensure certification agency worldwide that operates across the profession to provide speciality certification of pharmacists.
Today, the association recognises eight different specialities areas of Pharmacy: Ambulatory Care Pharmacy, Critical Care Pharmacy, Nuclear Pharmacy, Nutrition Support Pharmacy, Oncology Pharmacy, Pediatric Pharmacy, Pharmacotherapy and Psychiatric Pharmacy. Over 24,000 pharmacists are certified in the eight specialities areas of pharmacy worldwide to date.
Why should you take a board certification?
As of 2015, Singapore is ranked number 5 in the number of international
pharmacists certified by the BPS, after Egypt, Canada and Saudi Arabia. A
total of 215 pharmacists were certified by BPS1. There are a few
reasons to take a board certification. The BPS board certification is a
well-validated examination administered to multiple candidates in many
countries worldwide. Obtaining a board certification is one way to
obtain an official validation that you possess a certain level of
expertise in pharmacy.
Another reason is to update your knowledge. As the healthcare field constantly advances, what you learned in school many years ago might become obsolete faster than you thought. Board certification by BPS allows you to be updated on the changes in your field of practice.
Finally, board certification gives you a competitive edge in the job market. Many pharmacy departments in Singapore recognize BPS certification as a measuring stick to determine if a pharmacist is competent in the practice of their speciality. Some pharmacy department in Singapore even provides salary increment as a bonus for pharmacist with additional board certification.
Another reason is to update your knowledge. As the healthcare field constantly advances, what you learned in school many years ago might become obsolete faster than you thought. Board certification by BPS allows you to be updated on the changes in your field of practice.
Finally, board certification gives you a competitive edge in the job market. Many pharmacy departments in Singapore recognize BPS certification as a measuring stick to determine if a pharmacist is competent in the practice of their speciality. Some pharmacy department in Singapore even provides salary increment as a bonus for pharmacist with additional board certification.
What should you consider before taking the board certification?
With eight different specialities areas of Pharmacy to choose from, do
consider which speciality is most suitable for your needs. Most
pharmacists will take the Board Certification for Pharmacotherapy
(BCPS), as it is a universal certification – topics covered in this
certification are extensive and is relevant to most cases seen on a
daily basis, such as geriatrics to fluids and nutrition,
gastrointestinal diseases to infectious disease. Pharmacists who desire
to specialise in pharmacist-related services, such as nutrition support,
can consider the Board Certification for Nutrition Support Pharmacy,
while those who love critical care should consider the Board Certificate
for Critical Care Pharmacy.
Another thing to consider is how to prepare for the exam. Different board specialisation has different test sites and test dates annually. Most of them will have examinations conducted twice yearly, with one each usually in spring and winter. Registration is usually open three months ahead of the exam date. While BCP exam questions are not easy, neither are they out of this world. Most questions are case-based, which require analytical skills rather than a mere regurgitation of facts. Some individuals take up to a year to prepare for it, while others take only one week. Sample test questions, handouts as well as tutorial lessons are available at a cost online from either BPS website itself or the American College of Pharmacy (ACCP) website2.
As a pharmacist, it is vital to keep yourself updated on the latest happenings in your field, and taking a board certification is one way to enhance your knowledge and skills as a pharmacist. Further, the board certification would also be an official recognition of your abilities and give you a competitive edge in the job market. As such, pharmacists should definitely consider taking a board certification. MIMS
Another thing to consider is how to prepare for the exam. Different board specialisation has different test sites and test dates annually. Most of them will have examinations conducted twice yearly, with one each usually in spring and winter. Registration is usually open three months ahead of the exam date. While BCP exam questions are not easy, neither are they out of this world. Most questions are case-based, which require analytical skills rather than a mere regurgitation of facts. Some individuals take up to a year to prepare for it, while others take only one week. Sample test questions, handouts as well as tutorial lessons are available at a cost online from either BPS website itself or the American College of Pharmacy (ACCP) website2.
As a pharmacist, it is vital to keep yourself updated on the latest happenings in your field, and taking a board certification is one way to enhance your knowledge and skills as a pharmacist. Further, the board certification would also be an official recognition of your abilities and give you a competitive edge in the job market. As such, pharmacists should definitely consider taking a board certification. MIMS
Sources:
1. BCP Annual Report 2015. Available at: http://board-of-pharmacy-specialties.epaperflip.com/v/2015-Annual-Report#?page=10. Last accessed on 21 November 2016.
2. Pharmacotherapy self-assessment program (PSAP), American College of Pharmacy (ACCP). Available at: http://www.accp.com/bookstore/psap2016.aspx. Last accessed on 21 November 2016.
1. BCP Annual Report 2015. Available at: http://board-of-pharmacy-specialties.epaperflip.com/v/2015-Annual-Report#?page=10. Last accessed on 21 November 2016.
2. Pharmacotherapy self-assessment program (PSAP), American College of Pharmacy (ACCP). Available at: http://www.accp.com/bookstore/psap2016.aspx. Last accessed on 21 November 2016.
3. http://today.mims.com/topic/pharmacists--should-you-take-a-board-certification-?country=Malaysia&channel=GN-Career&elq_mid=9173&elq_cid=6062
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