Pharmacy Tech Talk: Technician Discusses Regulation and Compliance

In an interview with Pharmacy Times, Triana Moore, CPhT, CSPT, a pharmacy regulatory specialist at Novant Health, discusses compliance and regulation as an alternative career path for pharmacy technicians.

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Q: Can you start by explaining your position and role in the pharmacy?

Triana Moore: As the pharmacy regulatory specialists for compounding practices, I support our facilities through development and maintenance of compounding, training and competencies, recipes, references, and other documents that are used by our frontline team members. I partner with other members from our compliance team to operationalize USP and Board of Pharmacy standards within the pharmacy space, as well as performing on site facility audits within our system to ensure facilities maintain compliance throughout compliance readiness.

Q: What kind of qualifications and trainings were involved for your role?

Triana Moore: My prior experience as a compounding technician, PTCB-Certified Compounding Sterile Preparations Technician Certification. I have a bachelor's degree in chemistry from East Carolina University, and I'm also in the process of obtaining PTCB's Regulatory Compliance Certificate, as well as pursuing my masters in the near future.

Q: Why are alternative and specialty career paths for pharmacy technicians important for them and pharmacists?

Triana Moore: Speaking from experience, I remember toying with the idea of going to pharmacy school, and having this position has shown me that you don't have to be a pharmacist to advance in the pharmacy space and have an impact. I have a lot of pride knowing that I get to partner with everyone from technicians to pharmacists, facility leaders, as well as team members and other areas such as medication safety to ensure that our patients receive quality compounded medications.

Q: How has the changing landscape of pharmacy impacted the various roles of pharmacy technicians?

Triana Moore: The pharmacy world is always changing. The pharmacy model has become more patient centric, and the pharmacist role has become more clinical. Technological advancements and automation have really shifted some of the responsibilities that we typically see for technicians. So as a result of that, we're seeing more opportunities in other areas that we haven't been seeing.

Q: What advice would you offer to pharmacy technicians who want to look into alternative career paths?

Triana Moore: I will say definitely explore specialized positions such as these; speak to people who have done it. Find an area that you're passionate about and take advantage of continuing education and other training opportunities that will allow you to become more knowledgeable in those areas, and then seek out a mentor that can help guide you and hold you accountable.

Q: Anything else you would like to add?

Triana Moore: I would just like to encourage technicians to challenge themselves by exploring these types of roles. Every day I get the opportunity to work in a space where I'm presented with consistent challenges and an opportunity to learn something new. I've discovered a very rewarding career as a regulatory specialist for compounding practices, and it's one that appears to have no ceiling.