PGxinPractice-VA-PharmTechs

Enrollment options

Course name Pharmacogenomics in Practice: Pharmacy Technicians

On-demand

Self-paced, online

2 hours

Private Training

This 2-hour education program is designed for pharmacy technicians seeking to learn about the opportunity to improve medication outcomes using pharmacogenomics (PGx). Upon completion of this self-paced, online modules continuing education can be awarded.

Course details

TARGET AUDIENCE

This course is designed for pharmacy technicians.

LEARNING MODULES

What is pharmacogenomics (PGx) and why is it important?
How PGx is integrated into clinical care
Real-world PGx implementation
Foundations of medication assessment

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

Explain the value of PGx in individualizing prescribing for each patient.
Summarize the role pharmacy technicians play in PGx-guided care.
Identify whether a patient has had prior PGx testing.
Recognize high-alert medications, including those with PGx associations.
Apply a systematic process for obtaining medication information from multiple sources.
Communicate medication information accurately, completely, and in accordance with institutional standards to support continuity of care and patient safety.
Evaluate patients for unexpected medication responses that may be impacted by PGx and advocate for appropriate adjustments.

Course Faculty

PLANNING COMMITTEE AND SPEAKERS

	Philip Empey, PharmD, PhD, FCCP Associate Professor, Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Associate Director, Institute of Precision Medicine; University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy (Program Director)
	James Coons, PharmD, FCCP, FACC, BCCP Professor, Pharmacy and Therapeutics, PGY2 Cardiology Residency Program Director, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy
	Lucas Berenbrok, PharmD, MS, BCACP, TTS Associate Professor, Pharmacy and Therapeutics, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Dr. Coons discloses that he is a consultant for AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Johnson & Johnson.

No other planners, members of the planning committee, speakers, presenters, authors, content reviewers and/or anyone else in a position to control the content of this education activity have relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Accreditation

ACCREDITATION

In support of improving patient care, the University of Pittsburgh is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Pharmacy technician (CPE)

This knowledge-based activity provides 2.0 contact hours of pharmacy technician continuing education credit.

Other healthcare professionals

Will receive a certificate of attendance confirming the number of contact hours commensurate with the extent of participation in this activity.

DISCLAIMER STATEMENT

The information presented at this activity represents the views and opinions of the individual presenters, and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, the UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences, UPMC / University of Pittsburgh Medical Center or Affiliates and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Reasonable efforts have been taken intending for educational subject matter to be presented in a balanced, unbiased fashion and in compliance with regulatory requirements. However, each program attendee must always use his/her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label uses.

HOW TO OBTAIN CONTINUING EDUCATION

Continuing education can be claimed for the above learner groups. Learners must complete the full program (all modules, attain grades of 80% or higher on assessments, and participate in the live session) as well as submit the required information to the CE office (e.g. profile information and evaluations) prior to the deadline to receive continuing education credit. Partial credit will not be awarded.

Released: 10/1/2026
Expires: 9/30/2029

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