Optimize the Technician’s Role to Expand Health Care to Patients

For many patients, the pharmacy may be the first and last stop in their care.

Patients consult with pharmacy staff members more than any other health care professionals,¹ and the results of a recent Gallup poll² showed that Americans trust pharmacy professionals as much as they do medical doctors. Pharmacy technicians play a vital role in building trust with patients, which starts long before they arrive to pick up prescriptions. Pharmacies can optimize the role of the technician, delegating many tasks that would otherwise fall on pharmacists’ shoulders. That means that pharmacists can focus on the clinical aspects of their roles, which is how most prefer to practice.³ By encouraging technicians to work to the limits of their certifications, pharmacies can reduce burnout among pharmacists, a critical problem in the industry.⁴

To raise continued awareness about the important role of techs, the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) and Pharmacy Times® partnered to deliver this first publication dedicated specifically to key topics pertinent to pharmacy technicians nationwide. Our hope is that this publication encourages technicians and their employers to recognize and support expanding the tech role to create a fulfilling career journey and more efficiencies in the pharmacy.

In addition, both the NHA and Pharmacy Times® would like to also thank technicians for their relentless dedication and spirit in supporting colleagues and patients who have been affected by the coronavirus disease 2019. It is inspiring to see the care, collaboration, and generosity that the pharmacy industry has provided. We want to acknowledge that they are making a difference, and we appreciate everything they have done and will continue to do.

Ed Cohen, PharmD, FAPhA, is executive vice president, Pharmacy Advocacy, for MJH Life Sciences^TM, Inc.Jessica Langley, MS, is executive director of education and advocacy for National Healthcareer Association.

REFERENCES

• Moose J, Branham A. Pharmacists as influencers of patient adherence. Pharmacy Times®. August 21, 2014. Accessed July 27, 2020. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/publications/Directionsin-Pharmacy/2014/August2014/Pharmacists-as-Influencers-ofPatient-Adherence
• Norman J. Americans rate healthcare providers on honesty, ethics. Gallup. December 18, 2016. Accessed July 27, 2020. https://news.gallup.com/poll/200057/americans-rate-healthcare-providers-high-honesty-ethics.aspx
• Traynor K. Pharmacy directors say technicians are valuable investment. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. May 5, 2017. Accessed July 27, 2020. https://www.ashp.org/ news/2017/05/05/pharmacy-directors-say-technicians-are-valuable-investment?loginreturnUrl=SSOCheckOnly
• Marotta R. Pharmacists are happy with their salaries, less so with their jobs, survey shows (part 2). Pharmacy Times®. February 12, 2019. Accessed July 29, 2020. https://www.pharmacytimes. com/news/pharmacists-are-happy-with-their-salaries-less-sowith-their-jobs-survey-shows-part-2