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An Introduction to Psychopharmacology for Healthcare Professionals

5 hours
Credits / Contact Hours
$49
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Course applies toward state CE requirements and hours needed for your FL RN license renewal. View Terms

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Very well written, easy to digest, time efficient, and straight to the point. Thank you!

Da
Dawn O.
Verified review

I appreciate the convenience of the course being online and accessible through my phone and that it directly reports to support mandated education requirements.

Pr
Priya M.
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The course was well organized and helpful in meeting state licensure requirements. I found the content to be very informative and practical.

Cr
Cristina G.
Verified review

Course

Learn the fundamentals of psychopharmacology, focusing on drug action, benefits, and side effects. Explore key medications for depression, anxiety, cognition, and psychosis in a behavioral medicine context.

Nationally & state accredited


Course Features

Instant certificates
All required courses
7-day live chat & phone support
Auto reporting toCPE Monitor
Unlimited course attempts

What you'll learn

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

  1. Define and differentiate the 4 elements of pharmacokinetics and the 4 pharmacodynamic factors of drug actions

  2. Recognize 3 common means of self-medication, including alcohol, caffeine and nicotine

  3. Identify the drug regimens that are routinely used alone or in tandem to assist in the management of anxiety/depressive symptoms in 3 common mood disorders, psychosis, and 2 neurologic conditions, along with their major side effects

  4. Indicate 10 guiding principles to assist clients with making decisions about medication as part of their treatment regimen, adhering to recommended/selected regimens, and generating accurate outcome expectations and management of potential side effects — including when an initial referral about and/or further consultation pertaining to the use psychotropic medication is warranted


Course description

As medications are a central component of treatment of psychological problems, as well as physical conditions, it is essential for all health care providers, even those without prescription privileges, to have a working understanding of the general principles of how drugs work. Further, understanding the benefits and side effects of medications can enhance the provider's effectiveness in working with patients -- particularly within a behavioral medicine context. This course presents an introduction to psychopharmacology and provides a general understanding of pharmacokinetics (time course) and pharmacodynamics (factors that determine the actual effects of drugs). The major drugs used to treat conditions such as depression, anxiety, cognition, and psychosis are identified and the role these medications can play as an adjunct to therapy and within patients' overall healthcare are presented.


Course content

  • Introduction

  • The Brain, the Autonomic Nervous System, and Neurotransmitters: A Brief Review

  • How Drugs Interact with the Body and Brain: Pharmacodynamics

  • Pharmacokinetics: Drugs and Time

  • Drugs to Manage Mood Disorders

  • Drugs to Manage Psychosis

  • Drugs to Manage Neurological Disorders

  • Combining Psychopharmacology and Psychotherapy

  • Summary and Conclusions

  • Web-based Resources

  • References

  • Post-Test


Course details

CE Broker ID20-1217116
Activity TypeKnowledge-Based
Activity FormatEnduring

Explore more continuing education topics


Instructor

Faculty of Renaissance Academy at Florida Gulf Coast University. Member of the National Speakers Association and lecturer on diverse topics related to aging and memory. Former Professor of Psychology at the University of North Dakota. He has published extensively in the area of the neuropharmacology of learning and memory. Interests: psychopharmacology, neuropeptides, aging, learning & memory, early detection of memory disorders, Mild Cognitive Impairment, and dementias.


Ideal CE course for these professions

This continuing education course is especially relevant for these healthcare professions, but other professionals may also benefit


Accreditations

Nursing financial disclosure
  • Arkansas State Board of Nursing

  • California Board of Nursing

  • District of Columbia Board of Nursing

  • District of Columbia Board of Nursing Assistive Personnel

  • Florida Board of Nursing

  • Florida Board of Nursing - Certified Nursing Assistants

  • Florida Board of Nursing Home Administrators

  • Georgia Board of Nursing

  • Kansas State Board of Nursing

  • Kentucky Board of Nursing

  • Michigan Board of Nursing

  • Mississippi Board of Nursing

  • New Mexico Board of Nursing

  • New Mexico Certified Nurse Midwives and Licensed Midwives

  • North Dakota Board of Nursing

  • South Carolina Board of Nursing

  • West Virginia Board of Registered Nurses

  • Wyoming Board of Nursing


Frequently asked questions

How many CE credits does this course provide?

This course, "An Introduction to Psychopharmacology for Healthcare Professionals", provides 5 contact hours of continuing education credit upon successful completion.

Is this course accredited?

Yes, this course is accredited by Nursing, Mental Health. AchieveCE is an approved provider of continuing education for healthcare professionals.

Which professions is this course approved for?

This course is especially relevant for: Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Social Worker Intern, Licensed Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Master Social Worker, Licensed Independent Social Worker, Registered Nurse Practitioner, Licensed Practical Nurse, Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, Registered Nurse, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Licensed Mental Health Counselor Intern, Licensed Masters Social Worker, Master's Social Work, Licensed Certified Social Worker, Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker, Licensed Independent Social Worker Dual, Certified Nursing Assistant, Registered Social Worker Assistant, Bachelor's Social Worker, Licensed Independent Social Worker Advanced Practice, Licensed Graduate Social Worker, Licensed Independent Social Worker Clinical Practice. Other healthcare professionals may also benefit from this continuing education content.

How do I report my CE credits after completing this course?

Your credits are automatically and instantly reported to CE Broker upon successful completion. No manual reporting is required on your part.

Will I receive a certificate of completion?

Yes, you will receive a certificate of completion immediately after finishing the course and passing the assessment. The certificate can be downloaded and printed directly from your account.

What is your refund policy?

We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you are not satisfied with your purchase, you can request a full refund within 30 days of purchase.

How long do I have to complete this course?

You have unlimited time to complete the course at your own pace. Once purchased, the course is available in your account until its expiration date. You can pause and resume at any time.


Most helpful reviews

Star reviewsReal reviews, real results
Da
Dawn O.Nutritionist
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I am always interested in continuing education in the areas of health, wellness, nutrition and mental health. Your course was well written, well organized and helpful in meeting state licensure requirements.

Pr
Priya M.Occupational Therapist
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Very well written, easy to digest, time efficient, and straight to the point. Thank you!

Cr
Cristina GRegistered Nurse
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I appreciate the convenience of the course being online and accessible through my phone and that it directly reports to CEBroker to support mandated education requirements.

Al
Allison B.Nurse Practitioner
Stars decorationVerified review
curly quote as a decorative item

I really loved this information. I was hospitalized last year for almost a month and I noticed multiple medical errors (not being hooked up to my IV multiple times, given wrong medication which caused my sodium to be very low, etc.) which lengthened my stay. I can now define those exact errors and better understand what happened to me. I hate that these medical errors are so common and I appreciate how well laid out your breakdown and categorization of them was.

Buy with confidence with money back guarantees

30 Day Satisfaction Money Back Guarantee

This course is guaranteed to meet or exceed your expectations for convenience and quality. View Terms

License Renewal Money Back Guarantee

Includes all state CE requirements and hours needed for your license renewal. View Terms


Requirements & disclosures

Financial Disclosures

This activity was developed by AchieveCE free of any commercial support. The following individuals have indicated that they have no financial relationships with an ineligible company that may impact upon this activity:

  • Bill E. BeckwithPhD - Content Expert and Faculty

  • Patricia Dunn, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC - Nurse Planner

  • Gracielle Tubera - Content Reviewer

  • Luke Porter – Content Reviewer

  • Dianne Arroyo - Activity Publisher

Passing Grade

Participants must achieve a passing score on the activity post-test, which may be 70% or 80%, depending on the course. They must also complete an activity evaluation. There are no time limits and unlimited test-taking attempts. Credits will be reported automatically to CE Broker if your license information is entered correctly in your profile.

Hardware Requirements

Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Mac OS X 10.1+, iOS 10+, Android 4.3+

Software Requirements

Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Adobe Acrobat Reader

Network Requirements

Broadband Internet Connection: T1, Hi-speed DSL or Cable4G cellular connection


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