By Richard Silvia, PharmD, MA, FCCP, FAAPP, BCPP
BPS Psychiatric Pharmacy Specialty Council
When I entered pharmacy school, my dream was to open my own independent pharmacy, complete with a soda fountain in the corner. While my career path took a very different turn, I can now reflect on how becoming a Board-Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist (BCPP) shaped that path in a very different, but highly satisfying direction.
I pursued the BCPP certification after completing my residency/fellowship in psychiatric pharmacy, and I did this because it “just made sense” to do so. I had completed two years of psychiatric-focused training, so becoming a BCPP seemed like the next logical progression in my professional development. What I could not appreciate at that time was how important this decision would truly be for my career. I knew that obtaining a BPS certification would help distinguish me from other pharmacists, but I never imagined it would have such an impact over time.
In the spring of 2013, about 12 years into my post-training career, Massachusetts passed legislation allowing pharmacists to participate in Collaborative Drug Therapy Management (CDTM), which is what we call collaborative practice agreements (CPAs) in the state. Even though I had over a decade of experience in psychiatric pharmacy, that alone didn’t necessarily qualify me to enter into a CDTM agreement; however, being a BCPP did allow me to enter a CDTM. My certification was the credential that met the regulatory requirement for demonstrated expertise and unlocked the opportunity for me to become one of the first pharmacists in Massachusetts to enter into a CDTM.
My psychiatric pharmacy practice was established within a primary care clinic rather than a dedicated psychiatric clinic. This was not something often seen outside the Department of Veterans Affairs health system at the time, so the prospect of expanding psychiatric pharmacy into new areas was an exciting opportunity that would not have been possible without my board certification. It also led to several publications and awards based upon this practice, including the 2016 Innovative Practice Award from the American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP).
My BCPP certification also opened the door to meaningful service and leadership opportunities. As an AAPP member, I was also given the opportunity to lead a task force to develop the first best practice guideline for outpatient psychiatric pharmacy practice, which is one of my proudest accomplishments. My board certification and the clinical expertise that developed from it provided me with this opportunity to both lead and serve within my specialty.
I have also had other leadership opportunities as a result of being a BCPP. I have led the development of an opinion paper and a training program for non-psychiatric pharmacists to assist in the care of persons with mental illness. Each of these opportunities, and so many more, would not have been accessible to me without board certification.
Now, as a current member of the BPS Psychiatric Pharmacy Specialty Council, I find deep meaning in giving back to the certification program that has offered me so much. I’ve been involved with BPS for about five years, starting with the Job Analysis (aka role delineation study) Panel in 2020. Soon after, I served as an Exam Item Writer, joined the Council in January 2023, and most recently contributed to the Job Analysis Panel. It’s been a privilege to stay involved in shaping the future of the specialty and supporting the credential that has positively influenced my own career.
Without BCPP, I might be pouring that soda for you right now back in my independent pharmacy. While that path may have also brought joy and purpose to my career, I’ve instead found myself exactly where I’m meant to be —advancing care for individuals living with mental health conditions and helping shape the future of psychiatric pharmacy. BPS Certification has opened doors to many opportunities that I never could have imagined. I highly encourage pharmacists to consider pursuing certification to open the door to their own professional possibilities.