Considering a Pharmacy Career? We Have You Covered!

As we noted earlier this week, the Kansas Board of Regents has approved our Pharmacy Technician class and we're accepting student applications now. The course is available nationwide. Pharmacy jobs are growing by leaps and bounds, and entry level salaries and benefits can be quite generous. It's also a stable profession and with continuing education opportunities (usually paid by an employer), you can expect to make a career in the field.  Our inaugural class starts October 18th, so sign up now to jump start the next stage of your career!

If you're not quite ready to take the plunge as a Pharmacy Technician, we also offer Pharmacy Assistant training. This 45-hour class will prepare you for an entry-level job in a pharmacy setting. It's a great way to test the waters and see if pharmacy work might be something you would enjoy. It's also a good stepping stone to the Pharmacy Technician class. The Pharmacy Assistant class is open enrollment, so you can start as soon as you order your textbook and are ready to begin. From that point, you'll have 90 days to complete the course, and you may access it any time that is convenient for you. This is perfect for full-time workers or parents who want to increase their earning potential and need the flexibility of an online class.

Both Pharmacy classes make you eligible to take the Pharmacy Technician Certification Examination (PTCE.) Candidates that pass the PTCE are permitted to use the Certified Pharmacy Technician credential, "CPht." The PTCB certification program is the only pharmacy technician certification program accredited by the National Commission of Certifying Agencies (NCCA). What are you waiting for? Get started on a pharmacy career today!

cc licensed flickr photo shared by RambergMediaImages

Pharmacy Technician Course Now Approved!

Good things come to those who wait, right?  Well, our Pharmacy Technician program is now approved by the Board of Regents!

The Pharmacy Technician course offers a comprehensive introduction to the knowledge and skills pharmacy technicians need for successful practice. Key areas of concentration include the role of the pharmacy technician in the pharmacy setting, an overview of medications used to treat specific body systems, a breakdown of the different classifications of drugs, and a review of the basic sciences at the core of pharmacy practice. It also offers helpful PTCB examination review, as well as information on career opportunities for pharmacy technicians with advice on getting a job and advancing in the profession.

This is a 160 hour course with 16 hours of externship.  All to be completed in a 3 month period.  The course is taught by Amanda Quelland, who received her doctorate in Pharmacy at the University of Arizona in 2000. She spent a year in residency at the University of Arizona to gain some teaching and clinical experience then worked at the University Medical Center on the University of Arizona campus after completing her residency. She has also facilitated case discussions, given lectures and evaluated students at the university. 


The median expected salary for a typical Pharmacy Technician I in the United States is $32,011. This basic market pricing report was prepared using our Certified Compensation Professionals' analysis of survey data collected from thousands of HR departments at employers of all sizes, industries and geographies. (from salary.com)

Residents' Top 5 Complaints About Nursing Homes: #4

Thank you My Better Nursing Home for the great blogs!  Visit her blog for more great posts!

Complaint #4: Nighttime disturbances

The main culprits:

• TVs blaring into the wee hours
• Agitated neighbors
• Loud conversations between workers

Steps toward improved sleep hygiene:

• Implement a TV curfew and require night owl viewers to use headsets past the curfew
• Encourage night shift workers to report resident sleeplessness so sleep/wake cycle disturbances can be reversed and medications adjusted if necessary.
• As part of inservice training, address ways in which night staff can communicate with each other to avoid disturbing sleeping residents.

Good sleep hygiene on an individual basis can reduce irritability, improve memory, and promote healing. Good sleep hygiene on a unit-wide basis is good customer service that can benefit the physical and mental health of residents and reduce conflict between residents (it's hard to be friendly toward someone who's kept you up all night).

Dance Therapy Improves Seniors' Balance

From Who Moved My Dentures? Essential Information for Boomers on Healthcare, Aging and Caregiving

Two recent studies conducted by University of Missouri researchers found that participation in dance-based therapy can improve balance and gait in older adults. Improved functionality among seniors can decrease their risk of falling and reduce costly injuries.

The researchers used a dance-therapy program called The Lebed Method (TLM), which includes a combination of low-impact dance steps choreographed to music. Sessions were led by certified TLM instructors and adjusted to fit the specific needs of the seniors who participated. The study included 18 dance sessions offered throughout a two-month period. Participants reported that they enjoyed the sessions and wanted to continue the program.

Read the rest of Anthony's blog: Click Here.

Other links:
Healthy Steps Home
Seniors in Motion
Dance and Therapy for Elders
Dance Therapy Improves Seniors Gait and Balance

HIPAA For Activity Directors

In the past year and half, one of the scariest words for activity directors has been… HIPAA! Throughout my travels, I have seen many of my colleagues shudder at the thought of a new set of rules and regulations.

Relax…

The good news is that HIPAA is not as scary as it has been made out to be. I have written this article specifically for activity directors and activity personnel. Since most of us are the makers of calendars, newsletters, banners, bulletin boards, etc., we need to know about the HIPAA policies.

The following article will hopefully ease your mind about HIPAA regulations. That way, you will be able to have your calendars, banners, bulletin boards and posters, while being in full compliance with all of the regulations.

What is HIPAA?

Read more at the Activity Directors Network Blog - click here...