Course Description

  • WHO: This course provides pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and members of academia, industry and government with the skills necessary to develop and implement a collaborative testing program for influenza, Group A streptococcus, HIV, hepatitis C and COVID19.
  • WHY: There is a recognized need for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians to collaboratively improve patient access to care through the use of point-of-care tests.
  • HOW: The course’s 20 hours of continuing education (16 hours of home study and 4 hours of live training) will cover information on the targeted disease state, the physical assessment of a patient presenting to a pharmacist, point-of-care tests and how to establish a point-of-care testing service.
  • WHEN: Please visit the upcoming trainings webpage for more information.

Program Course

Home-Study Modules (16 Hours)

Module 1: Overview of Point-of-Care Test & Treat

Length: 1 hour

  • Identify opportunities for pharmacists to use point-of-care tests (POCT) and treatment and if needed paired with a statewide protocol (SWP) or collaborative practice agreement (CPA) in pharmacy settings.
  • Describe the role of pharmacists and feedback from the general public and public health representatives on expanded roles for pharmacists.
  • How pharmacy-based testing and treatment has evolved.

Module 2: Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments and Essential Elements for Patient Testing

Length: 2 hours

  • Summarize the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) as they pertain to pharmacy point-of-care testing (POCT).
  • Identify the basic requirements for performing Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) waived testing.
  • Identify at least three good laboratory practices for preparing the laboratory or testing site to produce high quality test results.
  • Select at least two good laboratory practices that ensure the right sample type is obtained from the correct patient.
  • Identify at least two good laboratory practices for testing.
  • Identify at least two good laboratory practices for recording and reporting results.
  • Describe the process of obtaining a CLIA certificate of waiver.
  • List elements of Good Laboratory Practices recommended for CLIA-waived testing sites.
  • Identify useful websites offering guidance on CLIA-waived testing.
  • Outline an approach to find each state’s pharmacy practice acts.

Module 3: Point-of-Care Testing Technology and Performance

Length: 2.5 hours

  • Summarize the seven criteria used to assign a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) category for point- of-care tests (POCT).
  • Describe common technology and the evolution of technology use for POCTs.
  • Identify and discuss the function of the components of a lateral flow assay.
  • Differentiate between competitive and sandwich lateral flow assays.
  • List the ideal characteristics of a POCT.
  • Define the terms used to describe test performance, including sensitivity, specificity, PPV (Positive Predictive Value) and NPV (Negative Predictive Value).
  • Describe factors that can influence test performance.
  • Explain how test performance influences interpretation of test results.

Module 4: Key Disease States, Part 1

Length: 1.5 hours

  • Understand the epidemiology of the diseases/conditions listed above.
  • Identify the signs and symptoms associated with the diseases/conditions listed above.
  • Outline the process of screening patients to increase the probability that a patient may or may not have one of the diseases/conditions listed above.
  • Construct a treatment plan for a patient identified with the diseases/conditions listed above.
  • Discuss the complications associated with the diseases/conditions listed above.
  • Provide a patient case, identify characteristics of individuals who may be candidates for point-of-care testing (POCT) in a community pharmacy setting versus those who require referral to a physician/provider or acute care setting.

Module 5: Key Disease States, Part 2

Length: 2 hours

Explain the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, nonpharmacologic treatment, pharmacologic treatment, patient counseling and special population’s considerations of the following disease states:

  • Sexually Transmitted Infections (e.g., syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea)
  • HIV – PrEP and PEP
  • Hepatitis C Virus
  • Infectious mononucleosis
  • Lyme Disease
  • Helicobacter pylori

Module 6: Chronic Disease Management

Length: 1 hour

  • Discuss characteristics of a condition that support developing chronic disease management services in a pharmacy.
  • Identify CLIA-waived point-of-care tests that could be utilized for a chronic disease management service in a pharmacy.

Module 7: Physical Assessment

Length: 1 hour

  • Discuss the value and limitations of various physical assessment procedures, including temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respiratory rate, pulse oximetry and physical inspection.
  • Describe and show the procedures for conducting a systematic physical assessment and identify normal and critical findings.
  • Interpret physical assessment data and recognize limitations of the data.

Module 8: Specimen Collection

Length: 1 hour

  • Describe the basic process of specimen collection for point-of-care testing (POCT).
  • Identify a patient specimen that would be appropriate for a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-waived POCT.
  • Describe the technique involved for the specimen collection types discussed.

Module 9: Development of Patient-Focused, Sustainable POCT Services

Length: 2 hours

  • Describe the elements required for an effective, patient focused point-of-care testing (POCT) service.
  • Discuss issues related to billing insurers for POCT a by pharmacists.
  • Describe considerations and preparations needed prior to performing waived testing.

Module 10: Use of Point-of-Care Tests to Promote Antimicrobial Stewardship (AS)

Length: 1 hour

  • Define and summarize antimicrobial stewardship.
  • Identify ways that pharmacists can practice stewardship and reduce antimicrobial resistance.
  • Summarize how point-of-care testing (POCT) can reduce unnecessary antibiotic use and contribute to a pharmacy’s stewardship program.

Module 11: Collaboration with State and Local Health Departments

Length: 0.5 hours

  • Understand the role and responsibilities of state and local health departments, especially as they relate to disease surveillance and reporting.
  • Identify steps to develop partnerships with state and local health departments around point-of-care testing (POCT).
  • Summarize the benefits and value of partnering with state and local health departments.

Module 12: New & Emerging Trends

Length: 0.5 hours

  • Describe the impact regulatory changes have had on pharmacy-based point-of-care testing.
  • Identify changes in healthcare delivery that have the potential to impact pharmacy-based point-of-care testing.

 Live/Virtual Training Session (4 hours)

  • Identify opportunities for expanding patient-centered services in the pharmacy setting, using point-of-care testing.
  • Discuss the value and limitations of patient reported symptoms, medical history, and drug allergies.
  • Describe and perform the following physical assessments, when appropriate to patient care: Blood Pressure, Pulse, Respiratory Rate, Oxygenation, Cervical Lymph Node Inspection.
  • Describe and perform the following specimen collections used in point-of-care testing: Throat swab, Nasal swab.
  • Apply this information to patient-specific cases based on common pharmacy-based patient interactions.

Additional Information

Welcome Page
Developer Bios
Upcoming Trainings
Host a Training
CE Info
Disclaimers
Train the Trainer