B.C. techs authorized to administer COVID-19 vaccines

Pharmacy technicians in British Columbia are joining the ranks of their counterparts in four other provinces as B.C. Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, issued an Order on January 9 allowing them to perform COVID-19 immunization activities with specific limits and mandatory training. The Order authorizes pharmacy technicians to administer an injection of a COVID-19 vaccine under the supervision of a registrant who is authorized under a health profession regulation, and competent to perform immunization activities. It notes in part that “the operation of a health profession regulation is adversely affecting the timely delivery of the Immunization Activities, the scope of Immunization Activities that can be delivered, and the efficient and effective use of health human resources throughout British Columbia.” Read: Help prevent methotrexate toxicity from unintentional dosing errors The training for new vaccine providers, titled “BCCDC COVID-19 Immunization Competency Course for Non-Nursing Health Professionals,” is offered through LearningHub, which provides classroom and online training services to learners at six B.C. health organizations. The overview notes that “while the complete BCCDC Immunization Competency Course is recommended for all new vaccine providers, it is recognized that in the context of the global pandemic, the need for an expedited immunization competency education process is essential to administer the COVID-19 vaccine in a timely manner.” The course length is three hours, including e-learning and clinical, and is specific to COVID-19 vaccination only. For more information, visit The COVID-19 Immunization Competency Course for Non-Nursing Professionals. Find the skills checklist at In-person education and clinical lab training to perform intramuscular injections as per the BC Centre for Disease Control’s – COVID-19 Immunization Skills Checklist. B.C. technicians can register their interest online through the COVID-19 Emergency Health Provider Registry (EPHR) at Create Health Provider | Ministry of Health - Forms (gov.bc.ca). To date, pharmacy technicians in Nova Scotia, Ontario, New Brunswick, and Saskatchewan are authorized to administer COVID-19 vaccines. Read: New certification options for U.S. pharmacy techs

B.C. techs authorized to administer COVID-19 vaccines

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