Board Certifcations - BCPS vs BCCCP

[Zynx]

I have the option of getting either the BCPS or the BCCCP (critical care specialty).

I'm debating which would be most beneficial - I work nights alone at an inpatient pharmacy. Considering I do not intend to become specifically an "ICU pharmacist", the benefit of these then, to my understanding, is for my own knowledge. However, being the sole pharmacist on nights, codes and other critical care issues frequently are the most knowledge intensive for me.

For those that have these, how useful did you find the BCCCP? Or was the more general knowledge from the BCPS more beneficial?

Critical care outline: http://www.bpsweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/content_critical.pdf
BCPS outline: http://www.bpsweb.org/wp-content/uploads/bps-specialties/pharmacotherapy/pharma_fall.pdf

I have the ACCP flip card app which is very useful, but it is destroying me, I only get about 50% correct off the top of my head, I have no experience with some procedures such as ECMO.

Also, I understand the scoring is from 200 - 800 with a 500 to pass these exams, does anyone have an idea on how many questions (correct vs total number) that relates to?

I'm also debating attending the SCCM ACCP course in San Antonio Feb 2018.

Any general thoughts on BCPS vs BCCCP would be appreciated, thanks.

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[KARM12]

Unless you plan on working in critical care, I'd just do the BCPS. You might not qualify to take the BCCP if you do not consistently practice in the ICU.

 

[Dalteparin]

Unless you plan on working in critical care, I'd just do the BCPS. You might not qualify to take the BCCP if you do not consistently practice in the ICU.

My understanding is that BPS doesn't actually vet anyone's qualifications, however if you take BCCCP (or any other specialty exam) and you don't meet the qualifications, it's unlikely that you'll pass.

OP, since being an ICU specialist isn't your goal, I suggest you stick with BCPS. BCPS will help you in your current role and help you get to a day shift role outside the ICU, but BCCCP is geared towards people who only want to practice in the ICU. The BCCCP material will be useful to you if you need to learn more about critical care and emergency medicine, but in terms of furthering your career, you might get more out of BCPS. (Keep in mind that there's a some critical care material on BCPS too.)

Also, do you have ACLS or PALS certification? Even if you don't actually attend codes, keeping current with those will be a big help to you.

 

[Zynx]

I appreciate the input.
I agree there is arguably some concern related to " 50% of time spent in critical care pharmacy " . I handle the ICU at nights, so this seems like something very subjective and is at their discretion. I imagine there is a chance my application would be denied at their discretion, but I believe taking the chance is worth it - the downside being a denied application.

Arguably, against a greater list of applicants with a BCPS, there may be some perception of standing out among the crowd with a BCCCP (as everyone around me has the BCPS) in the case that I am looking for a job in the future.
I suppose from a certain viewpoint there are also those who would have a negative or suspicious perspective on a BCCCP pharmacist applying for night shifts, or anything other than a critical care position. Night shifts are extremely good for me and should I have to move in the future I hope to continue with night shift positions. But in my opinion, I do not put much stock into this negative viewpoint as much as a BCCCP standing out from the more numerous applicants with a BCPS.

I think I'm going to get both the BCPS and BCCCP flip card apps to get a better idea of what to expect from each.

 

[Dalteparin]

Arguably, against a greater list of applicants with a BCPS, there may be some perception of standing out among the crowd with a BCCCP (as everyone around me has the BCPS) in the case that I am looking for a job in the future.

Yes... unless the job you're applying for is not in the ICU. If you just want to be a jack-of-all-trades night shift pharmacist, BCCCP might actually hinder you because employers will think you want to jump ship for an ICU job. (However, there are night shift critical care and emergency pharmacist jobs, so BCCCP would benefit you if you're after one of those.)

 

[sakigt]

I work evenings in the ED so for me BCCCP makes more sense (and from what the BCPS material looks like I think I made the right choice).

 

[Drakulie]

Is BCCCP exam really difficult to pass ? We have a ICU lady pharmacist that already has BCPS, and she took the BCCCP exam twice now and didn't pass. I know she took it twice and didn't tell us she passed so i am assuming she didn't pass.....lol. Anyway, i was thinking about taking it myself and was wondering if it was that much more difficult to pass than BCPS exam ? Thanks in advance

 

[John Detter]

Is BCCCP exam really difficult to pass ? We have a ICU lady pharmacist that already has BCPS, and she took the BCCCP exam twice now and didn't pass. I know she took it twice and didn't tell us she passed so i am assuming she didn't pass.....lol. Anyway, i was thinking about taking it myself and was wondering if it was that much more difficult to pass than BCPS exam ? Thanks in advance

Has anyone in here taken both the BCPS and BCCCP and could comment on the relative difficulty? I'd be interested in finding this out as well. I started going through the BCCCP study materials 2 months ago and they seem really watered down compared to the BCPS materials that I've seen in the past. I've also asked recent BCCCP certified pharmacists about the exam, and most of them gave a "meh" opinion about its difficulty. In contrast, I hear many horror stories about the BCPS exam. The pass rates on the BCCCP are also higher than the BCPS. Thoughts?

 

[Heartslob]

Has anyone in here taken both the BCPS and BCCCP and could comment on the relative difficulty? I'd be interested in finding this out as well. I started going through the BCCCP study materials 2 months ago and they seem really watered down compared to the BCPS materials that I've seen in the past. I've also asked recent BCCCP certified pharmacists about the exam, and most of them gave a "meh" opinion about its difficulty. In contrast, I hear many horror stories about the BCPS exam. The pass rates on the BCCCP are also higher than the BCPS. Thoughts?

It looks like BPS is also changing the content outline for Fall 2018 for the bcccp exam. Maybe they are going to make it harder to pass? Bcccp exam pass rates are in the 80’s. I’ll be taking it this spring.


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[Drakulie]

It looks like BPS is also changing the content outline for Fall 2018 for the bcccp exam. Maybe they are going to make it harder to pass? Bcccp exam pass rates are in the 80’s. I’ll be taking it this spring.


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Hey guys, it looks like I will also have to take the BCCCP exam as well since I am practicing in that area more and more. I already have BCPS. How is this test now ? Is it more difficult than before ? in the past, pass rate was actually higher than BCPS test but not sure how it is now ?