Who should register

This program is designed for pharmacists with direct patient care responsibilities or those consulting with prescribers.

Learning Objectives

Introduction/Establishing a Need

1. Describe the current regulatory status of pharmacist-administered vaccinations in Minnesota.
2. Recognize the public health impact of vaccine-preventable disease in the US.
3. Articulate the levels at which a pharmacist can undertake vaccine advocacy.
4. Appreciate a pharmacist's unique opportunities to contribute to disease prevention in the US.

Pharmacotherapeutics/Patient Care

1. Understand basic immunology as it relates to vaccines.
2. Describe vaccine-preventable diseases including: influenza, pneumococcal, tetanus, hepatitis, diptheria, pertussis, Hib, poliomyelitis, varicella, measles, mumps, rubella, and Lyme's disease.
3. Recognize populations at-risk for vaccine-preventable illnesses.
4. Apply CDC vaccination recommendations to individual patients.
5. Accurately review patient-specific immunization records and identify vaccine indications.
6. Identify patients who have contraindications to vaccine administration.
7. Outline treatment procedures for patients experiencing local and systemic adverse effects secondary to vaccine administration.
8. Demonstrate proper intramuscular and subcutaneous injection technique.

Practice Issues

1. Outline documentation requirements for immunizations including informed consent, patient-specific records, pharmacy records, screening forms, and adverse event reporting.
2. Recognize the need for communication between pharmacist, patient and primary care provide with respect to vaccine administration.
3. Describe requirements for proper vaccine storage and handling.
4. Identify liability issues related to vaccine administration.
5. Understand Medicare reimbursement requirements and processes for vaccine administration.

^ top

Program Faculty

Todd D. Sorensen, Pharm.D., Associate Professor, University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy

Dr. Sorensen is responsible for teaching immunization administration at the College of Pharmacy and is currently developing a interdisciplinary course with School of Nursing faculty focusing on immunization-related public health initiatives. He also serves as a faculty advisor for campus-based influenza vaccination clinics delivered by nursing and pharmacy students. This project was initiated in the fall of 2000 and represents the first large scale program in which pharmacists (specifically pharmacy students) administered vaccinations to the public in Minnesota.

^ top

Continuing Education

CE and Certificate completion requirements:

1. Successful completion of the 16-hour online course (70% average on assignments and exams)
2. Successful completion of the 4-hour live program (70% average on exam)
3. Documentation of CPR or BLS certification
4. Submission of the course evaluation

A statement of credit will be mailed to participants within four weeks.

Note: Completion of this program does not "certify" that a person is competent in a specific area of practice. (Read more about the difference between a certificate program and certification.)

^ top

Accreditation

The University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy is approved by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of Continuing Education. The online course is approved for 16  hours of CE credit. The Universal Program Number is ACPE 031-000-08-020-H01-P. The Live Program is approved for 4 hours of live CE credit. The Universal Program Number for the live session is ACPE 031-000-08-021-L01-P (Minnesota live session), 031-999-08-022-L01-P (North Dakota and South Dakota live session). Initial Release Date: May 2001. Revised Date: April 1, 2008. Expiration Date: April 1, 2010.

The University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy is approved by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of Certificate Programs in Pharmacy.  Following successful completion of steps one, two and three (as outlined above), the certificate is awarded.  CP 031-0017.

^ top

Program Design

Step One: A self-directed, online course totaling 16 hours is completed using Immunization Delivery: A Complete Guide by JD Grabenstein (Facts and Comparisons) as a resource. In addition to assigned readings, the online course provides supplemental lectures, self-assessment questions and practice cases. Participants will be required to pass two online quizzes prior to attending the live portion of the program.

Step Two: The live program will provide an additional 4 hours of instruction and will include additional case discussions, an overview of injection technique, hands-on experience with injection technique and question and answer opportunities with the course instructor. All participants will demonstrate appropriate injection technique to an instructor prior to completion of the program.

Step Three: Prior to receiving their certificate, all participants must produce documentation of CPR or BLS certification. CPR/BLS does not need to be completed prior to the live program. However, the certificate will be held until the documentation is provided.

^ top

Program Schedule

Program Outline

Introduction/Establishing a Need

• Public Health Perspective (1 hour)
• Role of the Pharmacist (1 hour)

Pharmacotherapeutics/Patient Care

• Vaccine Basics (1.5 hours)
• Diseases and Vaccines (4 hours)
• Targeting and Screening (2 hours)
• Emergency Protocols (1.5 hours)
• Vaccine Administration Technique (1 hour)

Practice Issues

• Documentation and Record Keeping (1.5 hours)
• Vaccine Storage and Handling (0.5 hours)
• Legal and Liability Issues (1.5 hours)
• Marketing and Reimbursement (1.5 hours)

Cases (2 hours)
Final Exam (1 hour)

^top

Prerequisites

It is strongly suggested that participants meet the following:

1. Computer and technology requirements

Please contact our office if you have any questions about these requirements. Assistance is available.

^ top

Tuition

Tuition for this course is $399 which includes:

• access to the secure course web site
• technical support
• online course materials
• an ACPE statement of credit (following successful completion)

**You will not be considered registered until participant information and payment are received in our office.

Discounts may apply if you are registering with a group or your institution offers reimbursement.

^ top

Registration

Before registering, be sure that you have carefully read through the course prerequisites.
Please register at least one week before the course start date, to guarantee a timely start.

By fax: Download the printer-friendly registration form (.pdf) and fax to 612.626.4613