Teresa Braeckel, CPhT, works in the Acute Care Pharmacy at Mercy Hospital Springfield as a Lead Pharmacy Technician. She began her career as a pharmacy technician in March 2017 and earned her CPhT certification in February 2018. Shortly thereafter, she transitioned into Pharmacy Administration. Over the years, her specific duties have evolved, ultimately establishing her role as a process leader. Her passion lies in helping others succeed in their positions and in fostering a deeper understanding of both the "why" and the "how" behind pharmacy processes.

Let’s start from the beginning – why did you choose a career in pharmacy?

I honestly fell into it and was glad to do so. I started in the hospital cafeteria in August 2014 and decided I didn’t want to be there forever, so I began looking around at openings in other departments. I started as a pharmacy technician in March 2017, and quickly fell in love with the work and technical responsibilities it has.

Tell us about your position as a Lead Pharmacy Technician – what does that involve?

Each Lead position at our facility is different, but I essentially oversee a few processes in our department, perform technical/limited access duties and provide assistance in other areas when needed. My job is primarily administrative and includes monitoring narcotic processes and making sure all dispensed narcotics from our department have a closed loop, overseeing our medication fridge and clean room temp/humidity and pressures, billing and invoices, double checking dispense prep + making corrections where needed, and inputting paper charges for our non-automated areas.

Could you share more about your journey from being a pharmacy technician to moving into a pharmacy administration role? What motivated this transition?

During my journey into pharmacy administration, it all began when I initially joined the pharmacy and obtained my certification about a year later. Opportunities for advancement in administration were rare as the technician role was typically viewed as a steppingstone to other positions. However, one day, a compliance coordinator was transitioning to our 340B team, creating an opening in administration. At this time, I was seen as the main trainer for the Fill Table/Robot area. In this role, I was very frequently training a new technician on any of the positions that fell under that umbrella. The compliance coordinator role I pursued oversaw many aspects related to the Fill Table/Robot, in addition to managing technician onboarding and training oversight – as we didn’t have technician supervisors at that time.

Looking back, it's clear to me now that my manager saw qualities in me that I didn't even realize I had – like my thirst for knowledge and my attention to detail. She saw something in me that I didn't even realize was there. She saw my drive for doing things right, not just how, but why. Understanding the 'why' behind the 'how' was crucial to me. It's about more than just following steps; it's about understanding the purpose behind them, the bigger picture. Those were the things she appreciated about me and what ultimately pushed me towards that admin role.

What do you love about your job/what keeps you there? 

As we all know, there is always something going on in pharmacy.  There is never a dull day – big or small, there is always a problem that needs solving. I love being a part of that process. Our whole team is compassionate and caring, and I am very grateful for all of the pharmacists and technicians that I work with.

During your experience, how do you feel like being a Pharmacy Technician has evolved as a career path? Feel free to describe your own personal career path here as well, and any plans for the future.

Our facility has made strides regarding the technician career ladder, which really gives something for our technicians to work towards.  It has evolved throughout the years, but when I started, we just had Pharmacy Technician I and II, Compliance Coordinator, and Buyer. That was it. Now we have Pharmacy Technician (I, II, and III), Technician Specialists (I and II), Technician Leads, Buyers (I and II) and Technician Supervisors. All of which are more descriptive of what we do in each of our positions.

Can you tell us about any process improvements you or your technician colleagues have made that have had a significant impact on workflow?

One simple process improvement I made recently was related to how pharmacy reacts for refrigerator work orders. Our automations specialist mentioned to me that we just don’t have room or a designated spot for all the bins that come out of med fridges during work orders. So, I’ve been trying to figure out where we can put them while the fridge is being repaired. But then it occurred to me: we really only need to be destocking drugs, why are we always removing these bins? Is there a real reason or have we just always just done it this way? 

No one ever questioned it because that’s just how we’ve always done it. I contacted HVAC and asked for confirmation that destocking the drugs and leaving the bins would be acceptable on their end, and it was. Even such a little thing can have a significant impact on a workflow process!

Looking back on your journey as a pharmacy technician, what advice would you offer to aspiring pharmacy professionals entering the field today? What insights or wisdom would you impart to those considering a career in pharmacy?

Do not be afraid to ask questions. This is a “more you know, the better industry” – so keep asking questions!

Over the years I have asked questions – constantly. One of the questions I asked in the beginning was why does it matter what order we scan our vials in? We scan biggest to smallest so that any waste comes off the smallest vial. It’s things you just wouldn’t think about until you’re in the position. There is a reason for everything. Documenting waste on single use vials is important because it can be considered fraud if it isn’t done properly.

What are some of your personal goals and aspirations within the field of pharmacy? Are there any specific areas of specialization or leadership roles you aspire to pursue in the future?

My current goal is to get my CPhT-Adv certification. I view my position here at Mercy as my career and want to be the best that I can be. I am very happy where I am, but there is always room for improvement and I am excited for the future!

What would you like to see for the future?

I have high hopes for the technician role in the future. It feels like we can do more and more all the time, and the increased level of responsibility shows that a career can truly be made from this profession. My hope is that this trend continues to progress, and more pharmacies invest in their technicians as much as they can.

June 2024

Ashley Snow has been a pharmacy technician for over 22 years, and is currently the Pharmacy Technical Operations Manager at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, MO. She has been a Certified Pharmacy Technician since 2012 and achieved her CPhT-Adv credential in 2021. Ashley also holds a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration. Ashley has been involved and held numerous positions within MSHP, GKCSHP and ASHP and has played a crucial role in championing the advancement of pharmacy technicians. She currently serves as Pharmacy Technician Forum (PTF) Executive Committee Liaison for ASHP, having previously chaired ASHP’s PTF Practice Advancement and Advocacy Advisory Group. We're thrilled she has taken the time to share her story and endeavors in pharmacy technician advancement with us!

Please tell us about your role as a Pharmacy Technical Operations Manager – what does that involve?

I oversee pharmacy technicians and technician buyers, guiding them through workflow training and collaborating closely with pharmacists. My responsibilities also include maintaining regulatory compliance documentation and serving as an expert in pharmacy compounding. As a member of the pharmacy leadership team, I lead monthly technician meetings and workgroups. I ensure I stay competent in all areas of pharmacy technician roles so I can step in seamlessly to assist with workflow needs whenever necessary.

What I love most about my career is seeing the fruits of my commitment to develop the future pharmacy workforce. It’s incredibly rewarding to witness individuals that I have mentored flourish in their niche and develop innovative processes that surpass my own contributions to patient care.

I also really enjoy the flexibility I have in maintaining my skills mix by staying involved in frontline processes. The ability to lead from a perspective of firsthand experience has proven priceless.

You have an impressive array of certifications and licenses! Could you elaborate on how these credentials have enhanced your skill set and expanded your career opportunities as a pharmacy technician?

While I certainly enjoy my specialties, I find that each competency I have completed supports the overall foundation of being an active advanced pharmacy technician. I enjoy being able to operate within the bigger picture and pivoting when the need develops. Medication safety is the cornerstone of all the diverse roles we can fulfill as technicians and there is always a regulatory compliance and billing/reimbursement piece involved. Additionally, my degree has helped me in aspects of critical thinking, leadership, management, and healthcare regulatory compliance; most importantly it has afforded me the opportunity to serve and elevate others.

Your career journey showcases a significant evolution in the role of pharmacy technicians over the past two decades. Can you describe how being a pharmacy technician has evolved as a career path?

When I was in high school student, I began my career as a PRN hospital tech volunteer and part-time retail tech, eventually progressing into an oncology buyer, then was promoted to a sterile compounding coordinator role. A few years later, I became a technician supervisor and am now blessed to serve as a technician manager. Twenty-two years ago, a pharmacy technician managerial role simply did not exist. There is a significance in this that highlights the possibilities for a career technician with employer advancement support and speaks to the significant paradigm shift in our collective pharmacy workforce.

I chose to make my career as a pharmacy technician because I find it personally fulfilling. Twenty years ago, I never would have imagined myself doing what I do now. It’s an exciting time to be a technician and the world of pharmacy is ever evolving. Our unique set of skills and knowledge base make us an integral part of the patient care experience. As outlined in ASHP’s PAI 2030 initiatives, the future of pharmacy is on an exciting trajectory of elevation inclusive of all pharmacy practice settings. For technicians specifically, I actively support credentialing and educational standardization. Highly trained and educated technicians are now performing duties that support the general elevation of pharmacy practice. In alignment with current efforts to solidify pharmacist roles as practitioners, the scope of pharmacy technicians includes an increase in opportunities to become specialized leaders.

Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for the future of pharmacy practice and the role of pharmacy technicians? Are there any specific areas or initiatives you're particularly passionate about pursuing in the coming years?

My aspirations for the future of pharmacy practice and the role of pharmacy technicians are for us to become a recognizable and desirable career. I would like the high school students of tomorrow to say, “I want to be a Pharmacy Technician Professional when I grow up.”

I am particularly passionate about both sterile and nonsterile compounding, with a special interest in hazardous drug management. Additionally, I find great fulfillment in leadership roles and mentoring others' growth and development. Honestly, given the chance, I could spend all day teaching in my specialized area!

You mentioned actively supporting credentialing and educational standardization for pharmacy technicians. Are there any specific initiatives or programs you're involved in to promote professional development and standardization within the pharmacy technician community?

I support credentialing and education for pharmacy technicians because training and competency standardization would lead to the formalized elevation of our role as a career. Expectations currently differ across state lines, but creating a national standard would solidify our advocacy efforts. I am blessed to serve on the ASHP Pharmacy Technician Forum Executive Committee for the 2023-2024 term, previously as Chair for the PTF Practice Advancement and Advocacy Advisory Group. I also enjoy serving on the Item Writer Committee with PTCB contributing to the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam content.

You referenced ASHP's PAI 2030 initiatives as a guide for the future of pharmacy. How do you see pharmacy technicians contributing to and benefiting from these initiatives, particularly in terms of enhancing patient care and advancing pharmacy practice?

ASHP’s PAI 2030 is speaking to initiatives for the entire pharmacy workforce. As pharmacists’ roles elevate, technicians’ roles would also evolve to take over duties that pharmacists once performed. Examples include the advanced technician roles in medication reconciliation and med history, patient financial assistance, controlled substance drug diversion monitoring, informatics and leadership that allow pharmacists to play a more direct and clinical role in pharmacy patient care.

As someone who has risen through the ranks from a PRN hospital tech volunteer to a Pharmacy Technical Operations Manager, what advice would you give to pharmacy technicians aspiring to advance in their careers? How can employers better support the growth and development of their technician teams?

The advice I would give to pharmacy technicians aspiring to advance their careers is to learn everything you can, take advantage of all opportunities when they come up (including training, education, and credentialing), and become that “go-to” person in your practice. Employers can support the growth and development of their technician teams but implementing a career ladder with advancement opportunities that create the DESIRE for longevity and growth. Often this looks like progressively increased financial compensation, professional title changes, and continuing education support to maintain credentialing requirements.

What suggestions would you have for pharmacy technicians within a health system who do not currently have a career ladder or opportunities for specialization, but would like to see these implemented at their institution – and don’t know where to start?

Take advantage of the resources available for these initiatives. ASHP and TPTS offer exceptional toolkits for creating advanced roles, implementing curriculums, and how to build a business case and manage expectations with human resources and financial departments to bring this to fruition. I would encourage organizations to take inventory of the current skills mix and determine your target goals - speak to the benefits of technician ladder implementation to the pharmacy department and health system.

Could you share your perspective on the importance of technician organizational involvement? How can involvement in professional organizations like The Pharmacy Technician Society (TPTS) contribute to the growth and recognition of pharmacy technicians?

I cannot stress enough how important it is for our technician workforce to become involved and advocate for our profession. As technicians, we need to never stop learning and developing ourselves. There are so many opportunities for technician involvement in ASHP organizations at the local, state, and national level.

The Pharmacy Technician Society is a newly created organization for technicians that is supported by ASHP and I encourage every technician to sign up! TPTS is the culmination of years of practice development and advocacy that will now showcase targeted opportunities in support of the essential and diverse roles pharmacy technicians fulfill. I am excited for the induction of TPTS because it highlights the significance of the career technician. The newly developed TPTS really demonstrates the significant paradigm shift within our collective pharmacy workforce. I firmly believe that this organization will be the leading resource in providing technician career pathway development, advocacy, and education among other exciting opportunities!

Interviewed March 2024

Karwan is a Pharmacy Automations Analyst at North Kansas City Hospital in North Kansas City, Missouri. He has been a pharmacy technician since 2007 and transitioned to his role as a Pharmacy Automations Analyst in 2017. Karwan has a Bachelor of Information Technology from The University of Kansas City – Missouri (UMKC) and has really enjoyed having a role that integrates IT with his pharmacy experience. Karwan has been an MSHP member since 2024, and we are excited he has shared his career journey with us! 

Tell us about your career background – and about your position as a Pharmacy Automations Analyst, what does that involve?

I have been a pharmacy technician since 2007, and prior to my current role, my position as a pharmacy technician was more of a traditional one – working primarily in central pharmacy. I have always had a strong interest in information technology and love that I have a career that blends IT and pharmacy operations. I started my role as a Pharmacy Automations Analyst in 2017, and the role has continued to evolve as we continue to move towards more automation in pharmacy.

As a Pharmacy Automations Analyst, I am responsible for all automations in the pharmacy as well as patient care areas – this includes our Omnicell automated dispensing cabinets, carousels, and temperature monitoring – as well as any related technician training. During our Omnicell conversion, I was essentially the project manager, and there was a lot of work up front. Once a system is established however, I am responsible for ongoing system configuration and maintenance.

I really enjoy that it’s a hands-on job and involves collaborating with other technicians, pharmacists, and management to maintain the automations and make sure they are optimized and functioning for our workflow. I love that my job helps improve technician workflow and make nursing's job easier. On top of all that, I love working with the people in our pharmacy department, which starts with our Sr. Director Denny Fugate, who was instrumental in establishing this role and several others for our pharmacy technicians.

How has the adoption of automation impacted the workflow for pharmacy technicians and nurses in your hospital?

Nursing satisfaction has improved now that we have 90% of our inventory in Omnicell cabinets. It saves them time and allows them to spend more time at the bedside with the patient – rather than waiting on pharmacy to send from a queue. From when I started until now, technology and automation has grown tremendously – there is hardly any manual labor anymore, whether it’s packaging, returning, or sending meds for example – all of these used to be done by hand. This has also positively impacted our pharmacy technician and pharmacist workflow – there is less paperwork and manual labor, allowing for technicians and pharmacists to focus to be on more important tasks.

In your experience, how has the integration of IT skills enhanced your role as a pharmacy technician and contributed to the overall efficiency of pharmacy operations?

I have always been interested in information technology. Having the IT background definitely helped me as I transitioned into this role and still helps when there are any upgrades or server updates and continues to tie into what I do daily. One example of how this background is beneficial is that if a cabinet breaks or goes down, as long as we have the part here, we don’t have to wait on Omnicell to set up a time to come in and do it. We [technicians] also would have to accompany them during their visits since they aren’t pharmacy technicians. Having this IT background allows me to respond and fix these issues as long as I have the part needed – instead of waiting 4-6 hours for them to fix something, I am often able to do it in about 30 minutes. This really lessens our downtime and helps get us back up and running quickly, which impacts our efficiency in workflow and ultimately patient care.

My position didn’t exist before – the IT department used to manage a lot of what I do, but there is definitely a benefit of having pharmacy personnel in this role. One example is temperature management in clinics – being from pharmacy, we understand the importance of some of these medications being out of temperature range. Now that we manage on the pharmacy end, if something goes wrong in the clinics, we have an after-hours on-call response so that a pharmacy technician can go on site to a clinic and deal with the temperature issue, if need be. We can resolve issues before they become big ones and end up a huge drug loss, whereas the IT department could not respond onsite and potentially physically handle the medications.

Considering your background in IT, do you see any emerging technologies or trends that could further transform the role of pharmacy technicians in the near future?

I think use of IV room robots will continue to evolve and more health systems will begin using them. As their efficiency improves, the financial investment will be more worth it to a lot more health system pharmacies. With new USP requirements, these machines may make all pharmacies better equipped to meet new USP requirements and help us extend our beyond-use dating. I believe automation will continue to evolve. We may also see more AI start to integrate and complement what we do – it will be interesting to see what happens in the next 5 years.

During your experience, how do you feel like being a Pharmacy Technician has evolved as a career path?

I feel like being a pharmacy technician at many health-systems has really evolved into an opportunity for a fulfilling career. At our institution, North Kansas City Hospital, our Senior Director has implemented a tiered system based on experience and educational attainment – which really helps to solidify pharmacy technician roles as viable career paths vs. just a stop-gap or a side job, which I think we saw a lot more in the past.

Personally, my journey has been part of this shift; I pursued and obtained my IT degree while working as a pharmacy technician. This laid the groundwork for my current responsibilities overseeing pharmacy automation. Being a part of this transition and being able to specialize has definitely been rewarding for me.

You mentioned a tier system based on experience and degree created by your Senior Director. Can you tell us more about these tiers, and how this system affected the professional development and job satisfaction of pharmacy technicians in your facility?

Yes, so currently there is a three-tiered pharmacy ladder for pharmacy technicians: Tier 1 would be someone who is new or has minimal experience and isn’t certified yet; Tier 2 is achieved you gain your Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), and Tier 3 would be those with more experience, usually operating in a specialized capacity and overseeing an area. In addition to my position – we have Tier 3 pharmacy technicians for OR, IV room, and our buyers are also Tier 3. One new area we have pharmacy technicians working in now is prior authorizations – this used to be done by nursing, but now we have technicians specializing in this area, working in clinics. I think this will only continue to grow.

As far as professional development, achieving my CPhT and maintaining continuing education for the certification helps me stay up to date on new medications – and more clinical side vs. the technical side.

Our Sr. Director really promotes the tiered career ladder for our technicians, and I believe this system has positively affected technician job satisfaction. They recognize the benefit as far as opportunities – both for career-longevity and financially. I have seen much less turnover with our technicians, and I think it really helps because they see it as a career rather than a temporary job.

Looking at the evolving landscape of pharmacy careers, what advice would you give to someone considering a career as a pharmacy technician, especially those interested in incorporating IT skills into their role?

 I would really like to see more individuals explore the pharmacy technician career path - don’t see it as a stop-gap job. Stick to it and see it as a career – it can be really rewarding. For example, had I stayed in the traditional IT role, I would be stuck in front of the computer in a cubicle answering the phone all day. But my current position allows me to be hands-on.

A lot of people think pharmacy is just counting pills – but technicians are doing things way beyond that now and moving away from that perception. I am doing IT stuff that’s pharmacy related, we have technicians doing prior authorizations…we are going places and we are in areas that no one would have thought about a few years ago. It’s not the same job every day in central pharmacy like it was when I started. This job takes you all over the hospital where you get to interact with professionals in different areas/departments.

How does collaboration play a role in ensuring the success of the automation systems you oversee?

There is a lot of collaboration in problem solving. I might get a nursing request which I will present to management and may provide ideas for a solution from an operational/automation standpoint. [As pharmacists], they are going to evaluate these requests from a clinical perspective, and identify whether it should be done, or if there should be any warnings or alerts in place. If they determine a change can be made, I work with them to put these in place and any safeguards they identified.

When we get requests for a service or process change, we work together in evaluating what the technology is capable of, what is the impact on nursing, on pharmacy – and then we layout the options. We determine what is safer, more efficient – safety always comes first. We do this a lot.

One example of incorporating patient safety was in our evaluation of neuromuscular blocking agents – and how to improve safety and prevent errors when these agents are pulled. We discussed restricting access by user, by critical area (ex. surgery) and limiting that access. Ultimately management and the safety officer will make any final decisions, but I definitely get to be involved in finding and implementing solutions.

Interviewed January 2024

Mackenzie is a Certified Pharmacy Technician at University of Missouri Health Care - University Hospital. She has been a Pharmacy Technician since 2019, where she began working at MU Health. She obtained her CPhT in 2021 and her current role is a Transition Specialist Patient Medication Liaison (TS-PML). Mackenzie has a Bachelor of Health Science from the University of Missouri and is currently in her final year of earning a Master of Health Administration. She was recently elected as the Chair for MU Healthcare's Staff Advisory Council, and has several other achievements and goals we are excited to share with you below. Mackenzie has been an MSHP & MMSHP member since 2023. 

If you are interested in learning more about the TS-PML role and associated outcomes, Mackenzie will be presenting on this at our MSHP Spring Conference 2024 in Kansas City, MO - make sure to attend! 

Tell us about your role as a Transition Specialist Patient Medication Liaison (TS-PML).

MU Health implemented the TS-PML role 6 years ago, and since then it has significantly evolved. Our role is essentially to help patients obtain, afford, and adhere to what the doctors prescribe. If you consider all of the medication changes that can happen during an inpatient admission it can be quite challenging for patients – but our role is to assist with this process. 

When I started in this position in 2021, our focus was primarily on fixing discharge prescription errors sent to Mizzou's outpatient pharmacy, providing bedside delivery ("meds to bed"), as well as provide financial navigation and assistance for patients. We submit prior authorizations, connect patients with social work, enter copay savings cards, and help uninsured patients enroll in Dispensary of Hope (a program pharmacies participate and pay into program for patients to receive medications at no/low cost). Since my time here, we are now also able to verify copays in live-time directly with insurance companies prior to discharge, utilize RX assist, and obtain patient assistance through foundations. The TS-PML reviews to screen patients who have high risk discharge medications and improve adherence to these medications, as well as so much more. I work closely with both inpatient and outpatient pharmacies, social workers, nurses, doctors, and our clinical pharmacists to coordinate medications the patient is on prior to admission to post-discharge. By utilizing these programs, we have aided hundreds of patients in the past year to afford their medications post discharge and stay adherent, saving our patients nearly $30,000 in copays each month, as well aiding them in navigating the difficult world of pharmacy.

That's incredible - how large is your team, and how do you accomplish all that you do? 

Currently we have 3 TS-PMLs for our hospital. While this is a small team, we really have worked hard to improve our workflow and our collaboration with multidisciplinary teams within MU Healthcare. With our bandwidth, each TS-PML covers approximately 7 units and we can cross-cover as needed. Each unit has approximately 20 patients, and it can be difficult to monitor all of them. It requires collaboration amongst the care team; we utilize our medication history technicians, clinical pharmacists, nurse navigators, care coordinators, and our inpatient and outpatient pharmacists to ensure we are assessing the needs of our patients. With that said, our services are primarily limited to patients discharging home. 

What is the training required? How do you feel CPhT certification has helped you in being successful in this role? 

The job requires Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) certification by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) within 1 year of hire. We train with our medication history technicians, outpatient pharmacy, and shadow our clinical pharmacists. 

I believe CPhT certification has helped me be successful as a transition specialist PML because it requires additional education on top of on-the-job training. When I started, my background was that of an inpatient pharmacy technician and I worked primarily filling and delivering medications; the traditional inpatient pharmacy technician role. I had no experience with processing prescriptions, nor did I know the extent of pharmacy law or the "why" behind medications being used, etc.

For example, within my role, I am able to notice when a patient isn't adhering to their medications properly, typically this is from knowing the duration of certain prescriptions or the common doses (Lantus not being administer per sliding scale). Another example of this would be with discharge prescriptions, noticing when a prescriber sends for Eliquis once daily, this is likely a mistake in prescribing and then verifying with the provider if that is what they meant to send. Training for the CPhT, as well as the continued education for certification, has taught me many aspects to make sure I am able to aid our patients to the best of my ability and expand my knowledge of pharmacy. 

Speaking for those who might be interested in implementing this role - what other skills would you recommend for a position like this to be a good fit for someone?

A good fit for this role is a technician who is willing to learn, adapt, and think outside of the box. Each patient has a unique story and requires care specific to their needs. Our team has individuals who are caring, team focused, and are willing to go above and beyond for their patients. 

Why did you choose this career and how has being a Pharmacy Technician evolved for you?

I chose this career to gain experience working in healthcare. My time working as a pharmacy technician and a transition specialist has taught me an extensive amount about healthcare both in the inpatient and outpatient settings. My focus has always been on how to better serve our patients. From being in pharmacy, I have seen such a large role it plays that I would have otherwise not been aware of.

When I started working as a pharmacy technician, I started part time while in undergrad as a way to gain experience. Shortly after graduating, I applied for the transition specialist PML role because the job description resonated with me and I had enjoyed working in pharmacy. While being a TS-PML, our leadership team encouraged me to pursue my Master’s degree and made it possible to do so. I am currently in my final year of the Master’s degree program at the University of Missouri studying Health Administration with goals to work in leadership. As a pharmacy technician, I was also encouraged to participate in groups within the organization to help with my future endeavors including Staff Advisory Council which has led to recently accepting the Chair position of the group. I think that being a pharmacy technician can often be looked down upon, but in my own experience technicians are essential to pharmacy and are able to make a significant difference in patient care in roles newly developed such as that of a TS-PML.

The part of my job that I love the most is the people I work with and the impact we have on patient care. I work with amazing coworkers at Mizzou Pharmacy and MU Healthcare that make each day enjoyable. I mostly enjoy the feeling of knowing everyday I have helped multiple patients afford and access their medications that will help them.

What other professional accomplishments are you proud of, or working towards?

Over the past two years, I have been working on obtaining my master's in health administration from the University of Missouri Executive program. Furthering my education has allowed me many opportunities to utilize what I am learning in the classroom to my work within the pharmacy through developing documentation tools, work lists to improve our work-flow, and improve my overall knowledge of healthcare. Thanks to the University of Missouri MHA program, I also was given the opportunity to obtain my Lean Six Sigma Green Belt which focused on process improvement, utilization of resources, and leadership styles. To name a couple other professional accomplishments I am proud of, I was recently voted in as Chair for MU Healthcare's Staff Advisory Council, previously was the Chair of an event called Time with Administration, and am working with a research team focused on Health IT in pharmacy.  

I am currently working on publishing a study regarding the benefits and impact of the TS-PML role - focused specifically on diabetic patients' outcomes. I will also be presenting the TS-PML program at MSHP's conference in April 2024. All of this was made possible through the support of MU Healthcare, Mizzou Pharmacy, and my manager, Laura Butkievich.

What would you like to see for the future of the Pharmacy Technician career path?

For the future, I would like to see pharmacy technicians utilized more in nontraditional roles. While there have been career development opportunities for technicians, the career ladder is limited without becoming a pharmacist.

Interviewed December 2023