How the BCEMP Test Is Administered and What Is On It

The Board Certified Emergency Medicine Pharmacist (BCEMP) exam is a rigorous assessment of emergency medicine knowledge and understanding. As an essential component for those seeking professional success within the field, this 4-hour and 23-minute, computer-based test covers topics such as pharmacology, patient assessment, disease state management, and emergency department protocols. Knowing what to expect on the exam and how to properly prepare for it is key to passing with flying colors.

This article provides an overview of the BCEMP exam and offers strategies for success. From understanding the domains covered to reviewing relevant material, this guide will equip you with the knowledge necessary for approaching the BCEMP exam with confidence. Read on to learn more about this essential test and take the first step towards professional advancement.

The BCEMP exam is divided into three domains. Domain 1: Patient Care and Management covers topics such as patient assessment, disease state management, pharmacology, medications, and other related issues. Domain 2: Practice Management focuses on the delivery of emergency care services including review of adverse drug events and medication errors, quality assurance activities, drug shortages, emergency/disaster preparedness planning, and practice advancement and growth. Domain 3: Education and Research looks into the delivery of patient education and research skills in emergency medicine.

A successful completion of the BCEMP exam can be used to demonstrate mastery in emergency medicine topics and may lead to increased professional opportunities. It is important to properly prepare for the BCEMP exam by studying resources provided by the Board of Specialty Pharmacy. The exam is based on the content outline released by the Board.

Patient Care and Management covers patient assessment, disease state management, pharmacology, medications, and other related issues. This is 75% of the exam or 131 questions on the certification exam and is mostly pharmacotherapy. This includes your disease state management, drug information, and preparation and procurement activities.

Subdomain Items

• Participate in the bedside management of medical emergencies (e.g., trauma, stroke, psychiatric, toxicological) and resuscitations to optimize the medication use process.
• Identify and prioritize (triage) Emergency Department patients by analyzing the relevant acuity indices and opportunities for optimization of pharmacotherapy.
• Collect essential patient information (including patient history, medication use) by utilizing available resources (e.g., pre-hospital providers).
• Identify and evaluate medication-related problems based on clinical presentation, available history, or laboratory data.
• Contribute to the formulation of a differential diagnosis in the setting of limited information.
• Design pharmaceutical care plan utilizing available patient-specific information and best available evidence to provide patient and family-centered care.
• Recommend and support implementation of the pharmaceutical care plan in the Emergency Department.
• Expedite the preparation/procurement and administration of time-sensitive therapeutic regimens.
• Make evidence-based recommendations for alternative routes of administration.
• Monitor and evaluate patient response to initial therapy and re-design treatment plan as necessary.
• Serve as the primary source of drug information for all practitioners and patients within the Emergency Department.
• Ensure continuity of care during healthcare transition and across levels of care.
• Identify and seek appropriate outside resources available to assist in the management of the Emergency Department patient.

Practice Management focuses on the delivery of emergency care services including review of adverse drug events and medication errors, quality assurance activities, drug shortages, emergency/disaster preparedness planning, and practice advancement and growth. We can think of this as the part of your day when you’re replying to emails, making protocols, reviewing medication safety events, and dealing with stocking your automatic dispense cabinets with medications that may or may not be on shortage.

Domain 2 represents 15% of the exam or 26 questions on the certification exam.

Subdomain Items

• 2.01 Anticipate, monitor, detect, report, and review adverse drug events and medication errors.
• 2.02 Recognize trends, system failures, and gaps in the medication use process, and perform quality assurance activities (e.g., MUE) that promote safe and effective medication use.
• 2.03 Ensure a process to maintain and optimize inventory and availability of medications essential to provide timely care in the Emergency Department.
• 2.04 Ensure an appropriate process exists for medication order review in the Emergency Department.
• 2.05 Assist the organization in achieving compliance with accreditation, legal, regulatory, and safety requirements related to the medication use process.
• 2.06 Contribute to contingency planning that addresses limited availability of critical drugs that affect patients in the Emergency Department (e.g., drug shortages, emergency preparedness).
• 2.07 Participate in emergency/disaster preparedness planning or response activities.
• 2.08 Develop, maintain, monitor, and support evidence-based medication use guidelines and pathways to assure safe and cost-effective medication use.
• 2.09 Identify and implement opportunities for practice advancement and growth within the Emergency Department (e.g., collaborative practice agreements, public health initiatives, expanded coverage).
• 2.10 Advocate for and justify emergency medicine pharmacy services.

Education and Research looks into the delivery of patient education and research skills in emergency medicine. This is probably the code name for some biostatistics and research design. Most of this will need a little touching on if you’re not actively involved in research.

Domain 3 represents 10% of the exam or 18 questions on the certification exam.

Subdomain Items

• 3.01 Provide emergency medicine focused education, training, or mentoring for healthcare professionals and trainees.
• 3.02 Educate patients and caregivers using appropriate techniques tailored to the audience, with a focus on high-risk medications or where the visit resulted from an adverse drug event.
• 3.03 Participate in continuous professional development related to emergency pharmacy practice (e.g., professional organizations, continuing education, clinical pharmacy networks).
• 3.04 Retrieve and critically evaluate biomedical literature and other sources regarding study design methodology, statistical analysis, and applicability of study results to emergency medicine.
• 3.05 Contribute to the body of knowledge in the field of emergency medicine.

In conclusion, the BCEMP exam is a comprehensive test that covers all aspects of emergency medicine, from patient care to practice management and education and research. Preparing for the test requires an understanding of the content domains and subdomains, as well as a thorough review of related materials.

With proper preparation and dedication, individuals can successfully pass the BCEMP exam and become certified in emergency medicine. Good luck!