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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
NSU College of Pharmacy Students Campaign for Immunization-Based Initiative
Goar Alvarez, Pharm.D., instructs pharmacy students on proper injection techniques using oranges.
Immunization is a rapidly expanding area of pharmacy practice and NSU College of Pharmacy (COP) students have been campaigning to allow Florida student pharmacists the same abilities to vaccinate as currently held by licensed pharmacists in the state. Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) and American Pharmacists Association-Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) share a common immunization-based initiative project, and as such decided to team up and bring an Immunization Skills Seminar to NSU students. The training session took place on Friday, February 21, in the Health Professions Division on NSU’s Davie campus. A total of 42 student pharmacists participated. The session was open to members of both student organizations.
The workshop was conducted as a two-part session, including a didactic portion and a practical portion. The didactic portion featured the facts and additional responsibilities of being an immunizing pharmacists, as well as information specific to Florida certified pharmacist immunizers. Students were taught to recognize the three basic immunization administration techniques (intramuscular, subcutaneous, and intradermal) and were also trained on the procedures to minimize needlestick injuries and prevent harm due to bloodborne pathogens. The didactic training was spearheaded by Barry Bleidt, Pharm.D., COP socio-behavioral and administrative pharmacy department. The follow-up practical portion allowed students to practice the techniques learned in the previous portion. Students administered intramuscular injections using normal saline to oranges (orange peel simulates the texture of human skin to mimic the actual vaccine administration process). The practical training was spearheaded by Goar Alvarez, Pharm.D., socio-behavioral and administrative pharmacy department, and director of the NSU Clinic Pharmacy. Special guests and NSU faculty also in attendance were Michelle Clark, Ph.D., Student National Pharmaceutical Association faculty advisor, and Robert McGory, Pharm.D., associate dean for professional programs.