NIPCO Program Approval Guidelines

Overview

This document provides guidelines to those parties interested in obtaining NIPCO approval for cerificate programs. Launched by the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) in 1995, NIPCO is the national accrediting organization for pharmacist care education and training programs leading to the Pharmacist Care Diplomate credential and a leading authority in helping community pharmacists develop new market niches focused on patient care services. These guidelines are meant to provide base-line requirements for NIPCO approval, as well as parameters for program development. Please demonstrate support of each guideline through written explanation or illustrative example using your program information and materials.

Guideline One

Applicability to National Institute of Standards for Pharmacist Credentialing (NISPC) Disease State Management Standards

The program addresses the principles described in the NISPC Disease State Management Standards PDF (13k).

Guideline Two

Educational Content

A minimum of 25% case study applications of the didactic instruction shall comprise the educational content. Educational components that shall be included to enhance pharmacist success of implementing patient care niches are financial analysis of the disease state program, business planning, marketing strategies, inventory requirements, return on investment analysis, demonstration of devices and laboratory equipment, and other topics specific to a particular disease state program.

Guideline Three

Program Scope and Depth

The scope and depth of the program topics are comprehensive and contribute to the overall balance of the program as indicated in the sample NIPCO Program Templates PDF (41k). A minimum of 15 hours is required for patient care/disease management certificate programs.

Guideline Four

Knowledge and Skills Development

The case study applications concentrate on knowledge and skills development described in the NISPC Disease State Management Standards.

Guideline Five

Documentation and Records

The program provides knowledge and skill development of clinical documentation of patient care services, including processes to document services, which may be billed via CMS 1500 or X12N 837 format.

Guideline Six

Faculty

The faculty are qualified and competent to teach the subject matter. Faculty includes both clinical experts and practitioners with experience and expertise in delivering patient care services. This includes expertise from other health care disciplines.

Guideline Seven

ACPE Continuing Education Credit

Each program shall be approved for ACPE Continuing Pharmacy Education Credit.

Guideline Eight

Program Promotion

Promotional materials will describe the program as a NIPCO-accredited program and will bear the NIPCO logo along with the accompanying statement: "This program is accredited by the National Institute for Pharmacist Care Outcomes (NIPCO) and meets the minimum standards for disease management and wellness certificate programs."

Guideline Nine

Disclosure

Program participants shall be well-informed of NIPCO and the requirements leading to NIPCO Pharmacist Care Diplomate.

Guideline Ten

Certificate of Achievement

Upon successful completion of a NIPCO program, the participant shall receive a NIPCO Certificate of Achievement that has been prepared by the sponsoring organization. Certificates can be obtained from NIPCO for a fee.

Guideline Eleven

List of Participants

A list of participants (including name, name of pharmacy, and address) who have successfully completed the NIPCO-accredited [name of program] and [date] shall be forwarded to NIPCO within 30 days after the scheduled program.

Last Revised: April 2005
Approved: August 1995 by the NIPCO Board of Directors
(Also revised: February 1997, July 1998, August 2001, and April 2005)