Technician Advanced Training Diabetes | Microcredentials On-Demand 6.5 credit hours

This practical training prepares pharmacy technicians to support patients using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology and assist with diabetes-related services within the pharmacy setting. 

Designed as a microcredential program, this course awards a digital badge upon successful completion and focuses on the technician’s role in patient support, device education, and workflow coordination related to CGM services. 

The program introduces key concepts related to CGM technology, device functionality, and strategies for supporting pharmacists and patients as diabetes management services continue to expand in pharmacy practice. 

Topics covered include:

  • Fundamentals of continuous glucose monitoring technology  
  • Overview of common CGM devices and system components  
  • Roles of pharmacy technicians in supporting CGM services  
  • Device setup, troubleshooting, and patient support considerations  
  • Understanding glucose trends and common CGM terminology  
  • Workflow and operational considerations for CGM-related services  
  • Communication strategies for assisting patients with diabetes technology  
  • Situations requiring pharmacist involvement or clinical referral  

Technicians will also develop practical skills in supporting device access, assisting with patient education, troubleshooting common device concerns, and facilitating a positive patient experience related to diabetes technology services. 

This training is designed to help pharmacy technicians strengthen patient care support skills, contribute to advanced diabetes services, and build expertise that supports ongoing professional growth within pharmacy practice. 

Earn your microcredential and strengthen your role in supporting continuous glucose monitoring services – enroll today.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) - Technician

Claim Your Badge

You will receive an email from Credly (our credential partner), after you complete the course, inviting you to claim your digital badge for Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) - Technician. This will allow you to easily share your achievement with colleagues, managers, and your professional network on LinkedIn and other platforms. When you receive the email, please click the button and create an account on Credly.com so that you can “accept” the badge.

Need help? Find a step-by-step tutorial video at this link.

Module 1: CGM System Functionality and Review of Data

Upon successful completion of this module, pharmacy technicians should be able to:
1. Describe current recommendations for the utilization of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices and their significance in diabetes management.
2. Review CGM device components and their functionalities to ensure accurate data collection.
3. Discuss the pros and cons of CGM technology for glycemic management.
4. Recognize the metrics provided by CGM devices and their significance in managing diabetes.
5. Examine patterns and trends in CGM graphs and reports to assist the pharmacist in making informed decisions regarding glucose management.

Module 2: Selection and Management of Patients Using CGM

Upon successful completion of this module, pharmacy technicians should be able to:
1. Compare and contrast commonly available CGMs, including features and capabilities.
2. Evaluate criteria for selecting patients suitable for CGM use in various demographic and health populations.
3. Explain the process of initiating CGM therapy in patients.
4. Discuss common CGM issues to ensure continuous and reliable monitoring.
5. Support the pharmacist in developing personalized diabetes management plans based on CGM data.

Module 3: CGM Clinical Service Implementation

Upon successful completion of this module, pharmacy technicians should be able to:
1. Discuss the impact of CGM service implementation on patient outcomes and healthcare resource utilization.
2. Recognize motivators and barriers to implementing a CGM service in the pharmacy.
3. Describe procedures for integrating CGM data into routine workflows, including documentation, data review, and collaboration with multidisciplinary care teams.
4. Create an action plan to develop, initiate, and implement a CGM service in the pharmacy.

Module 4: CGM for Remote Patients

Upon successful completion of this module, pharmacy technicians should be able to:
1. Describe the key components, technology, and processes involved in remote patient monitoring (RPM).
2. Identify patient criteria for a successful RPM program.
3. Review how CGM integrates with telehealth visits and RPM.
4. Recognize the role of pharmacy technicians in facilitating patient-provider communication using CGM data.
5. Examine a patient case involving the utilization of CGMs in remote patient monitoring.

Module 5: Nutrition and Weight Management for CGM Patients

Upon successful completion of this module, pharmacy technicians should be able to:
1. Review the relationship between dietary patterns, insulin sensitivity, weight management, and metabolic health.
2. Recognize the role of CGMs in providing real-time feedback on the glycemic response to different foods.
3. List strategies for optimizing meal timing, macronutrient composition, portion sizes, and meal spacing to minimize glycemic variability.
4. Examine CGM data to assist the pharmacist in identifying patterns of glucose excursions related to specific dietary habits.
5. Support the pharmacist in recommending nutrition and weight management interventions guided by CGM data in a case scenario.

Module 6: Physical Activity for CGM Patients

Upon successful completion of this module, pharmacy technicians should be able to:
1. Review the physiological benefits of physical activity and exercise on the body, including glucose metabolism.
2. Define the fundamental principles of exercise and increased physical activity, including parameters such as frequency, intensity, duration, and types.
3. Recognize the value of incorporating exercise into the diabetes patient lifestyle to optimize blood glucose control.
4. Compare strategies for managing blood glucose levels before, during, and after exercise based on CGM data.
5. Support the pharmacist in recommending appropriate exercise interventions guided by CGM data in a patient case. 

Module 7: Prioritizing the Well-Being of CGM Patients

Upon successful completion of this module, pharmacy technicians should be able to:
1. Explain the importance of integrating physical, emotional, and mental well-being into daily routines.
2. Support the pharmacist in recommending wellness strategies tailored to individual needs and preferences using CGM data.

Faculty

Mark Smith, PharmD, CDCES, AFAA-CGFI

Disclosures:

Mark Smith has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

Ian Haywood, PharmD, BCPS, CDCES

Disclosures:

Ian Haywood has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

Christie Schumacher, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP, BCCP, BCADM, CDCES, FCCP

Disclosures:

Christie Schumacher is on the advisory board for Novo Nordisk and the speaker’s bureau for Abbott. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.

Jennifer N. Clements, PharmD, FCCP, FADCES, BCPS, CDCES, BCACP, BC-ADM

Disclosures:

Jennifer Clements is on the speaker’s bureau for NovoNordisk and Eli Lilly and previous board member for Embecta, as well as a consultant for Xeris Pharmaceuticals. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.

Bianca Daisy-Bell, PharmD, BCACP

Disclosures:

Bianca Daisy-Bell has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

Nicole Gorsuch, PharmD

Disclosures:

Nicole Gorsuch has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

Bridget Dolan Teschke, PharmD, BCACP

Disclosures:

Bridget Dolan Teschke has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

Amy Wainright, PharmD, BCACP, BCGP

Disclosures:

Amy Wainright has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

Lyndi Mies, MHSc, RDN, LDN

Disclosures:

Lyndi Mies has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

Bela Patel, PharmD, NBHWC

Disclosures:

Bela Patel has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies to disclose.

Course Details