Ask AI
Back Back
PrEP Certification
How Obtaining PrEP Certification Helped Me Support My Primary Care Team and the Patients We Serve

Released: September 03, 2025

Melissa Smith
Melissa Smith, PharmD
Activity Information

Activity

Progress
1
Course Completed
Continue
Key Takeaways
  • Becoming a certified HIV prevention provider has enabled me to better support HIV PrEP services in my primary care setting.

The healthcare system in Puerto Rico, where I practice, is as complex as its patient population, which reflects a variety of geographic origins including Latin American, African American, European, and indigenous Taino heritage. The approach to HIV care and prevention here involves collaboration between specialists and primary care providers (PCPs), in that PCPs must request treatments from specialists. After a prescription is provided by a specialist, the PCP must then sign off on the prescription for it to be valid.

Consequently, patients are required to attend at least 2 appointments to obtain medication, which can be months apart owing to the limited number of available healthcare providers. This situation increases the risk of delays in care and diminishes patients’ enthusiasm for treatment, a concerning consequence given that Puerto Rico has a higher prevalence rate of HIV than that of the United States.

HIV Prevention Certification and Innovative Practices in Primary Care
To this end, the HIV Prevention Certified Provider™ (HIVPCP) Certification Program was created by HealthHIV to expand the HIV prevention workforce and facilitate provision of HIV care. This program opened up a new opportunity for me to obtain a deeper understanding of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) that now allows me to provide critical HIV prevention support to the PCP team. Our team includes a collaborative group of doctors, nurses, and pharmacy technicians who aim to bridge gaps in HIV care and prevention through innovative approaches.

One progressive feature of our clinic is that it allows the pharmacists to access laboratory results and physician notes, enabling us to gain a more complete picture of a patient’s care plan and clinical situation. As a pharmacist, in my daily assessments, I evaluate for drug–drug interactions, disease interactions, and the potential need for renal and liver function–based adjustments of all current medications. The racial and ethnic diversity of the population in Puerto Rico adds a level of complexity to medication management, as I frequently see patients with hyperlipidemia and liver complications at a relatively early age.

Based on trending laboratory findings, I present my care plan to the specialist, who is usually very willing to make the recommended medication changes.

However, I have found that PCPs are generally more cautious about making suggested medication changes, primarily because they have more limited experience with PrEP management. Therefore, having a certification in HIV prevention is an important tool that enables me to provide better PCP support for PrEP care to ensure adherence to evidence-based practices. By providing this assistance, I can help the PCP team improve the quality of care for patients and promote best practices within the medical community.

In my clinic, the pharmacy technicians, nurses, and physicians all know that I am a fierce ally for my patients and that having the HIVPCP certificate means that I am not intimidated by HIV treatment and prevention. Obtaining the certificate has allowed me to gain in-depth knowledge of biomedical HIV prevention strategies and a strong appreciation for both the privilege of being able to deliver this care and for the patient population it serves. I love the personalities who come through my door, and I am thankful for the opportunity to work with such an amazing patient population and team dedicated to a worthy cause. 

Your Thoughts?
Have you considered obtaining HIV prevention certification to support PrEP services in your primary care practice? If you have obtained PrEP certification, what has your experience been like in implementing your skills in clinical practice? Share your thoughts by posting a comment.

Continue