No products in the cart.
A Call for Leaders: Seeking Subject Matter Experts to Support Program Expansion
The strength and vitality of the pharmacy profession have always been defined by a collective commitment to a higher standard. It is a commitment upheld not by any single entity, but by the dedicated practitioners who, every day, push the boundaries of clinical knowledge, ensure patient safety, and mentor the next generation. This shared responsibility to elevate our profession is the guiding principle behind the Council on Pharmacy Standards (CPS). Our mission is to provide the framework for excellence, but the architecture of that framework is built by the very experts who live and breathe its principles.
As CPS continues to grow and respond to the evolving needs of the healthcare landscape, we are embarking on a significant program expansion. This initiative is aimed at developing new, best-in-class certification programs that will set the national standard in critical areas of pharmacy practice. To achieve this, we depend on the most valuable resource in our profession: the wisdom and real-world experience of its leaders.
Today, we are launching a national Call for Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). This is more than a request for volunteers; it is an invitation for passionate, experienced pharmacy professionals to take an active role in shaping the future of their profession. It is an opportunity to leave a lasting, tangible mark on the standards that will guide our practice for years to come. If you are a leader in your field with a deep commitment to excellence, we invite you to join us in this vital work.
Who Are CPS Subject Matter Experts? The Architects of Excellence
At the Council on Pharmacy Standards, our credibility is forged by a simple, powerful philosophy: our programs must be by practitioners, for practitioners. Our Subject Matter Experts are the living embodiment of this philosophy. They are not merely advisors; they are the architects and stewards of our certification programs. They are respected, practicing professionals who volunteer their time to ensure that every standard we set and every examination we administer is relevant, fair, and a true measure of professional competence.
Serving as a CPS SME is a multifaceted and deeply engaging role. Our experts are involved at every critical stage of the credentialing lifecycle, ensuring that the voice of the practitioner is embedded in the very DNA of our programs. The key responsibilities of our SMEs include:
Job Task Analysis (JTA): This is the scientific foundation of any credible certification. SMEs participate in comprehensive research, including surveys and expert panel workshops, to identify and validate the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities required to practice competently in a specific area of pharmacy. Their input ensures our programs are built on a solid foundation of evidence.
Examination Blueprint Development: Working from the JTA data, SMEs help construct the examination blueprints. They are instrumental in defining the specific content domains to be tested and determining the relative weight or importance of each domain on the final exam, ensuring the test accurately reflects the realities of practice.
Item Writing and Review: This is the core of examination development. SMEs undergo specialized training to learn the art and science of writing high-quality, psychometrically sound examination questions (known as “items”). They write, edit, and review every single item, ensuring each is clear, accurate, relevant, and free from bias.
Standard Setting (Cut-Score Studies): Following the administration of a new exam, a panel of SMEs is convened for a critical standard-setting study. In this facilitated, deliberative process, they use their expert judgment to help determine the official passing score (or “cut-score”), linking it directly to the level of knowledge considered necessary for safe and effective practice.
Form Review and Assembly: Before an examination is finalized, a panel of SMEs meticulously reviews the complete test form to ensure its quality, accuracy, and adherence to the blueprint.
This comprehensive involvement guarantees that a CPS certification is not an academic exercise but a true reflection of professional excellence, as defined by the profession itself.
The Impact of Your Contribution: Why This Work Matters
Volunteering as a CPS SME is a significant commitment, and we believe it is one of the most impactful ways a professional can give back to their community. The contributions of our SMEs resonate far beyond the examination room, creating a powerful ripple effect that strengthens the entire profession.
You Will Elevate the Standard of Patient Care. At its core, this work is about patient safety. By helping to build rigorous and valid examinations, you ensure that professionals who earn a CPS credential have truly demonstrated the competence required to provide the highest level of care. Your expertise directly contributes to a more skilled and knowledgeable workforce, which in turn protects the public.
You Will Define Your Profession. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the definition of expertise in your field. As an SME, you are not just following standards—you are setting them. You are participating in a national dialogue that codifies the scope of practice and establishes a clear benchmark for excellence, giving a stronger, more unified voice to your specialty.
You Will Mentor an Entire Generation. The standards you help set and the knowledge you help assess will influence pharmacy education, residency training, and professional development for years to come. Your work serves as a powerful form of mentorship on a national scale, setting the bar for quality and guiding the professional growth of thousands of your colleagues.
You Will Uphold the Integrity of Your Credential. By participating in a rigorous, fair, and legally defensible process, you protect the value and prestige of the very credentials you and your peers hold. Your involvement ensures that a CPS certification remains a respected and trusted mark of distinction among employers, regulators, and patients.
The Professional Benefits of Becoming a CPS SME
While the primary motivation for our SMEs is a desire to serve, we recognize that their time and expertise are immensely valuable. We are committed to ensuring that the experience of volunteering with CPS is not only impactful but also professionally rewarding. The benefits of becoming a CPS SME include:
National Professional Recognition: Selection as a CPS SME is a prestigious, nationally recognized achievement. It formally acknowledges you as a leading expert in your field and provides a significant addition to your professional portfolio or curriculum vitae.
Unparalleled Networking Opportunities: You will join an elite group of peers from across the country, representing the best and brightest in the profession. The collaborative workshops and committee meetings provide a unique opportunity to build your professional network, share ideas, and learn from other top-tier experts.
Exclusive Professional Development: All of our SMEs receive in-depth, complimentary training from experts in psychometrics and test development. You will learn best practices in assessment, item writing, and mitigating unconscious bias—highly specialized skills that can enhance your own abilities as an educator, preceptor, and leader.
Contribution to Recertification: We understand the importance of maintaining your own credentials. Participation in most CPS SME activities, such as item writing and standard setting, qualifies for Continuing Pharmacy Education (CPE) credits, helping you meet your professional licensure and certification renewal requirements.
A Lasting Legacy: Perhaps the most profound benefit is the knowledge that you have made a lasting contribution to the pharmacy profession. The standards and examinations you help create will endure, forming a part of your professional legacy that will influence the practice for years to come.
Who We Are Looking For: The Ideal SME Candidate
To support our current program expansion, we are seeking experts in several key foundational areas. The ideal candidate is a dedicated professional who is passionate about their practice and committed to the principles of quality and integrity.
We are actively recruiting professionals who meet the following criteria:
Credentials: You must hold an active, unrestricted pharmacist license.
Experience: You should have a minimum of five (5) years of hands-on practice experience, with a significant portion of that time focused in one of our target areas.
Current Areas of Recruitment:
Sterile Compounding
Non-Sterile Compounding
Medication Safety
Medication Therapy Management (MTM)
Desired Qualities: We are looking for individuals with strong analytical and communication skills, the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment, a keen eye for detail, and an unwavering commitment to professional ethics.
The Application and Selection Proces
We have streamlined our application process to make it as straightforward as possible.
Submit an Online Application: Please visit our volunteer portal [link here] to complete the official SME application form. You will be asked to provide information about your practice experience and upload a current curriculum vitae (CV).
Application Review: All applications will be reviewed by our Volunteer Engagement Subcommittee to ensure that candidates meet the established criteria and that the overall SME group represents a diverse range of practice settings, geographic locations, and professional experiences.
Invitation and Onboarding: Successful applicants will be formally invited to join the CPS SME corps. All new SMEs will be required to complete a comprehensive, complimentary online training program before participating in their first assignment.
The deadline for applications for this recruitment cycle is August 15, 2019.
This is your opportunity to step forward and lead. Help us build the future of pharmacy by ensuring our standards are as exceptional as the professionals who practice it.
Join us in shaping the future of pharmacy. Apply to become a CPS Subject Matter Expert today.
The Department of Volunteer Engagement, Council on Pharmacy Standards (CPS)
