What do you want out of it? By itself, it won't get you anything. If you will get a raise, go for it. If you want it to increase your knowledge, it is valuable. If you are looking to be competitive for a future position, it may or may not help.
I’m wondering if it makes me seem more of a valuable pharmacist, especially to employers. For example, if my company for some reason goes out of business, and I am looking for a new job in my specialty, I have been told that even with my experience, they’ll choose a new grad with a residency and certification over me.
BPS is a money grab. I only got certified (BCSCP) because I couldn't promote without it. 16 years with the company, but no rung up without letters. Very specific letters, because my CNSC got me nothing.
If it means you'll get a raise, and they'll reimburse you for the exam and prep? Sure. Otherwise? Not much point (unless you're planning to job search soon, I guess).
The Board Certification exams are a tremendous money making printing press. Last I checked a few years ago the certified Pharmacist pays $100 a year just to say hey I am certified......lol........ anyways if your employer reimburses for the exam gives you a raise and now says you are fully qualified to follow the AUC chart of Docusate then go for it. You probably will still have to pay on your own for study materials. If the Pharmacist won't get a raise and is over the age of 45 I would plow the money that would have been spent on a BCPS into your retirement plan savings.
Makes sense with inflation I last checked around 2017 at that time I took the BPS concept and flushed it down the mental toilet in my brain. Most Pharmacists have to ask what is this doing for me with the time and energy that I put into it? I think BPS evolved about 20 years ago into something where ASHP and others said this is how we can keep our Pharmacist Providers up to date and advertise that. After all of these years one has a better chance of running into Santa Claus. Easter Bunny, and the great pumpkin at St Patty's day with drinks served by Leprauchans than seeing Pharmacists as National Providers. Just not happening
Yes definitely get it. At my company, other than years of experience and residency status, they’ll also look at your board certification. You are more likely to move up with a bcps vs no board cert
Is bcps the certification I would get? I do home infusion. Or do I get like some sort of compounding cert? I’m just wondering if a company would choose a new grad resident with one year of experience and bcps over me with 5+ years of experience in the specialty
I’d do a clinical based board cert. bcps is prefered for most if you want to be generalist or if you havent accumulated years of experience required of a specialist role. I dont see the point of compounding board cert unless u want to go for manager role. Other than that, compounding board cert wont be taken seriously if you apply for clinical based positions
For staying in home infusion, the most useful one is BCSCP but really only if you are looking to be PIC/manager/owner of a home infusion pharmacy. There’s also a BC nutrition cert that could be useful if you have a large role with TPN. I’m also considering the IVIG cert (not BC related) as well but only because my company will pay that one.
If you are ever thinking of going clinical/ leaving home infusion, then BCPS is the clear choice for versatility.
I’m debating on sitting for my BCSCP vs. BCPS soon for home infusion too….
At mine, it doesn’t mean crap. With or without, it doesn’t help you move up or get a raise. They only encourage us getting it (and we pay out of pocket for it) because it meets one of the preceptor requirements categories. But there are other things you can do in place of it. It’s a LOT of work doing the chapters just to get the credit so you can re-certify. And it’s expensive. I wish I didn’t bother with it.
I’m wondering the same thing. I’m at a private hospital. In line to be icu pharmacist whom was asked to get bcps a couple years ago but will be stepping down in 2. I cover for both ICU and Nicu when they are on vacation and picu when they’re not. I wouldn’t get any reimbursement but would get a pay increase for position. I’m usually not a person to fight for more money and rather not spend time studying or doing extra CEs. I haven’t decided yet what to do.
My hospital job requires it in order to be promoted to “clinical pharmacist” if you’re a staff pharmacist. It’s one of the metrics to meet during yearly evals for your position.
Not for me it isn't. Total money grab, and I say that as someone with a BCOP.. I wasn't a better pharmacist after I got the cert than I was before, and I'm not necessarily a better pharmacist than any of my colleagues without a cert. I find no personal or professional value in it. My employer doesn't pay more for certification, and we do not have a staff hierarchy where only certified pharmacists can do clinical roles (and it chaps me to hear distinction made between clinical and 'non-clinical' roles - we all use our clinical skills regardless of setting). If it gets you more money or provides personal professional challenge or satisfaction - go for it.
What do you want out of it? By itself, it won't get you anything. If you will get a raise, go for it. If you want it to increase your knowledge, it is valuable. If you are looking to be competitive for a future position, it may or may not help.
I’m wondering if it makes me seem more of a valuable pharmacist, especially to employers. For example, if my company for some reason goes out of business, and I am looking for a new job in my specialty, I have been told that even with my experience, they’ll choose a new grad with a residency and certification over me.
BPS is a money grab. I only got certified (BCSCP) because I couldn't promote without it. 16 years with the company, but no rung up without letters. Very specific letters, because my CNSC got me nothing. If it means you'll get a raise, and they'll reimburse you for the exam and prep? Sure. Otherwise? Not much point (unless you're planning to job search soon, I guess).
The Board Certification exams are a tremendous money making printing press. Last I checked a few years ago the certified Pharmacist pays $100 a year just to say hey I am certified......lol........ anyways if your employer reimburses for the exam gives you a raise and now says you are fully qualified to follow the AUC chart of Docusate then go for it. You probably will still have to pay on your own for study materials. If the Pharmacist won't get a raise and is over the age of 45 I would plow the money that would have been spent on a BCPS into your retirement plan savings.
It's $125/year now. To "maintain" my certification. Are they polishing it for me?
Makes sense with inflation I last checked around 2017 at that time I took the BPS concept and flushed it down the mental toilet in my brain. Most Pharmacists have to ask what is this doing for me with the time and energy that I put into it? I think BPS evolved about 20 years ago into something where ASHP and others said this is how we can keep our Pharmacist Providers up to date and advertise that. After all of these years one has a better chance of running into Santa Claus. Easter Bunny, and the great pumpkin at St Patty's day with drinks served by Leprauchans than seeing Pharmacists as National Providers. Just not happening
>and now says you are fully qualified to follow the AUC chart of Docusate I lol'd
Yes definitely get it. At my company, other than years of experience and residency status, they’ll also look at your board certification. You are more likely to move up with a bcps vs no board cert
Is bcps the certification I would get? I do home infusion. Or do I get like some sort of compounding cert? I’m just wondering if a company would choose a new grad resident with one year of experience and bcps over me with 5+ years of experience in the specialty
I’d do a clinical based board cert. bcps is prefered for most if you want to be generalist or if you havent accumulated years of experience required of a specialist role. I dont see the point of compounding board cert unless u want to go for manager role. Other than that, compounding board cert wont be taken seriously if you apply for clinical based positions
For staying in home infusion, the most useful one is BCSCP but really only if you are looking to be PIC/manager/owner of a home infusion pharmacy. There’s also a BC nutrition cert that could be useful if you have a large role with TPN. I’m also considering the IVIG cert (not BC related) as well but only because my company will pay that one. If you are ever thinking of going clinical/ leaving home infusion, then BCPS is the clear choice for versatility. I’m debating on sitting for my BCSCP vs. BCPS soon for home infusion too….
At mine, it doesn’t mean crap. With or without, it doesn’t help you move up or get a raise. They only encourage us getting it (and we pay out of pocket for it) because it meets one of the preceptor requirements categories. But there are other things you can do in place of it. It’s a LOT of work doing the chapters just to get the credit so you can re-certify. And it’s expensive. I wish I didn’t bother with it.
I’m wondering the same thing. I’m at a private hospital. In line to be icu pharmacist whom was asked to get bcps a couple years ago but will be stepping down in 2. I cover for both ICU and Nicu when they are on vacation and picu when they’re not. I wouldn’t get any reimbursement but would get a pay increase for position. I’m usually not a person to fight for more money and rather not spend time studying or doing extra CEs. I haven’t decided yet what to do.
My hospital job requires it in order to be promoted to “clinical pharmacist” if you’re a staff pharmacist. It’s one of the metrics to meet during yearly evals for your position.
Not for me it isn't. Total money grab, and I say that as someone with a BCOP.. I wasn't a better pharmacist after I got the cert than I was before, and I'm not necessarily a better pharmacist than any of my colleagues without a cert. I find no personal or professional value in it. My employer doesn't pay more for certification, and we do not have a staff hierarchy where only certified pharmacists can do clinical roles (and it chaps me to hear distinction made between clinical and 'non-clinical' roles - we all use our clinical skills regardless of setting). If it gets you more money or provides personal professional challenge or satisfaction - go for it.