What does BCPS mean in HOSPITALS

In order to become a BCPS, individuals must meet certain criteria such as having an active and unencumbered PharmD degree from an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited school or college of pharmacy and one to two years of direct patient care experience. Individuals must also pass the board exam administered by the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties (BPS).

BCPSs are trained professionals who are responsible for working closely with physicians and other healthcare professionals in developing therapeutic plans that provide optimal outcomes while understanding how medications interact with other drugs, supplements, or medical conditions. Common tasks performed by BCPSs include evaluating drug selection, dosages, interactions, side effects, monitoring effectiveness and safety of treatment regimens, providing patient education on medication use, participating in clinical protocols or guidelines development initiatives.

BCPSs can be found in many different settings such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, private practices or clinics. They often serve as consultants on issues related to pharmacotherapy which may include formulary management; medication therapy management; multidisciplinary interdisciplinary rounds; quality assurance programs; drug information centers; drug use evaluation studies; practice guidelines development; educational programs; therapeutic subcommittee reviews; antimicrobial stewardship programs; research activities and more.

To become certified in Pharmacotherapy through the specialty program offered by BPS one must have an active PharmD degree from an ACPE accredited school or college of pharmacy as well as at least one year's worth of direct patient care experience prior to applying for certification. The certification process consists of applying online for the examination followed by successfully passing both the written and practical components thereby demonstrating mastery level competence in pharmacotherapeutics.

Yes! Becoming a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist allows pharmacists to remain current on advancements in pharmaceutical sciences which enhances their credentials when competing for jobs that involve complex decision making regarding medications. Furthermore they become part of an elite group widely recognized as leaders within their profession which leads to increased job opportunities including higher salaries usually compared to non-credentialed peers.