How Do You Select the Right Pharmacy Continuing Education Program?

Updated on August 27, 2023

In today’s highly digitalized world of health, your pharmacist diploma or degree will only you get to the door. To remain competent, you need to keep up with the changes taking place and learn new skills. Joining professional pharmacy organizations and participating in the local pharmacy and health-related events will help, but it is not enough.

The best way to keep up is to pursue a live pharmacy CE course. But with the plethora of CE programs available today, selecting one can prove to be pretty tough. Here are some outlined tips to help you out.

Set Your Goals 

Some pharmacists perceive continuing education as a gateway to getting their license renewed. Others pursue it so they can learn what is happening in the world of health, while others do so to advance their career skills and become more competent. 

Therefore, before you sign up, take time to analyze and determine what you want to achieve with the CE. Do you wish to renew your license, or are you looking to become more skilled and competent?

Note, any CE program will help you get your license renewed, but only a quality live pharmacy CE program will help you become competent. Set your goals so you can start your searching knowing what you are after, and only opt for a program that aligns with your vision. 

Find Out the Specific CE You Need for Your Certification

As a professional pharmacist, you already know there are different types of pharmacists in the U.S. From retail, clinical to chemotherapy pharmacists. To qualify for any of the mentioned, one must attain specific academic requirements. 

In that light, another essential factor to consider while selecting a continuing education program is the particular CE you require for your license as a pharmacist. But if you have skills in different areas, then take on a CE program that may help you meet the requirements for multiple certifications. 

Cost

Even though the cost should not be the determining factor, it also plays a role in your decision. Why? Well, you may come across the best live pharmacy CE in your search, but if you can’t afford it, then it’ll be of no benefit to you. Alternatively, a CE program might be great but does not offer value for your money. Therefore, make sure you consider the cost, and if you can afford it, evaluate whether it provides you value for your money. If you are employed, look for a continuing education program, your employer might be willing to reimburse.

Try New Challenges 

It is excellent to take on a learning program to enhance your existing skills. But it is also great to take on a course that will help you learn something new other than what is happening in the pharmaceutical realm. Therefore, choose a CE course that will help you explore a new area. 

Program Accreditation

The last thing you want is to dedicate your time and money to a CE program only to find out that the certificate you earn at the end of it isn’t valid because the provider isn’t legally registered. Unfortunately, this is a mistake most pharmacists make. Save yourself the trouble and stress by making sure you check out state requirements to see what is required of you and the provider.

While there are many other factors to consider when choosing a live pharmacy CE course, the above should help you narrow down your list.

Importance of Higher Education 

Getting additional education is an essential step towards achieving your academic and career goals. While one could get a job with a college diploma, most of these are entry-level with minimum pay jobs. If you want to aim for a supervisory or managerial position someday, your credentials should speak of who you are, what you have achieved, and your overall education and work experience performance.

By pursuing higher education, like getting a master’s or doctorate degree, you can land the best-paying jobs in the pharmaceutical industry. It would mean more opportunities for you to work with the management level, such as getting involved in consultancy work and making crucial decisions for the business.

Pursuing higher education also tips the scales on your favor when applying for these top-paying jobs in the pharmaceutical industry:

  • Biotechnology Senior Research Scientist: This job has an average annual salary of $98,527, which involved assessing new technologies and their future applications. Also, it consists of proposing, planning, and managing report findings and research projections. 

The skillset required for this job includes bioinformatics, project management, biotechnology, and clinical research for the above-average salary.

  • Research Scientist: This job has an average annual salary of $82,452, wherein the work includes granting proposals for research funding. Research scientists are responsible for staying on top of all research developments in the company. 

Employers usually look for education and experience in laboratory procedures, setting up and implementing research experiments, observational studies, and computer analysis. 

  • Pharmaceutical Financial Analyst: This job has an average annual salary of $60,025. Pharmaceutical financial analysts are most sought to develop forecasts, evaluate potential investments, and analyze financial data, working to determine how profitable and stable various businesses, bonds, and stock are. 

In addition, these analysts provide recommendations to the management team of a company. Also, they work with different departments to reduce costs. 

Most companies require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree in any field related to business, finance, or statistics.

Conclusion

Step ahead and take your career to the next level by choosing the best continuing education program for you. Taking a master’s degree or doctorate degree can definitely add a strong basis for companies to hire you over the other applicants. Make a great choice by upgrading your educational portfolio today.

 

The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.