2020 has been a challenging year for everyone but especially for healthcare workers on the front lines. Due to this, it’s important, now more than ever, that pharmacy technicians practice at the very top of their license. While boards of pharmacy have traditionally limited pharmacy technician practice from performing such tasks like final product verification, administering immunizations to patients, or performing CLIA-waived point of care testing, more and more states are undergoing the process of reviewing, discussing, and in some cases, changing their rules to permit properly trained technicians to perform these and other tasks.

To further seize on this trend, NHA has spearheaded an initiative to bring together representatives from some of the biggest pharmacy organizations in the industry.  The initiative, The Coalition for the Advancement of Pharmacy Technician Practice, aims to work together to stay up to date with current state boards of pharmacy that are discussing this very important topic and to engage other state boards of pharmacy to consider broadening pharmacy technician scope of practice.

By bringing together retail pharmacy  giants like Albertsons Companies, Walmart, Kroger and Walgreens, along with state pharmacy associations, pharmacy academicians, and organizations such as the Pharmacy Technician Educators Council, the coalition’s collective voice and singular mission is to further expedite the spread of states allowing pharmacy technicians to do more.  This support from the industry will be key to continuing to elevate the pharmacy profession across the nation.

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a pharmacy technician in Canada? We've got you covered. Don’t miss this information packed episode that provides insights into pharmacy practices outside of the US. 

Work/life balance can be difficult to achieve, especially for working professionals who also carry the title of “mom.”  In this episode, Jeremy and Jessica interview Dr. Suzy Soliman, the founder of the Facebook group “Pharmacist Moms.” 

In this episode of OnScript with NHA, co-hosts Jessica Langley-Loep and Jeremy Sasser are joined by Susan Bonilla, the newly-appointed CEO of the California Pharmacists Association (CPhA). Starting her professional career as a high school English teacher, Susan eventually began serving the public through elected positions starting with city council and eventually being elected to the California state assembly. Susan chaired committees that oversaw the pharmacist advanced practice bill as well as the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Combining her love of education and public service make leading CPhA a great fit for Susan.

In this episode of OnScript with NHA, co-hosts Jeremy Sasser and Jessica Langley-Loep discuss interprofessional and interdisciplinary relationships between pharmacy technicians, pharmacy interns, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals.

In this episode of OnScript with NHA, Jeremy Sasser and Jessica Langley talk with Rick Richey, master instructor for the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and host of the NASM CPT Podcast. As the prevalence of professional burnout has been on the rise for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians, Rick shares some research on how regular exercise can help alleviate stress and anxiety, and conversely, burnout. One of the biggest hurdles for most people is just getting started with a routine, so Rick provides some insight into overcoming this, and other barriers, as well as how employers can remove barriers and promote and support overall employee wellness. Finally, Rick shares some great exercises that incorporate both muscle contraction and relaxation that can be easily done throughout the day without the need for any gym equipment.

In this episode of OnScript with NHA, Jeremy Sasser and Jessica Langley speak to Dr. Ken Thai. Dr. Thai is the current president of the California Pharmacist’s Association (CPhA), and CEO of 986 Pharmacy in California. As the largest state pharmacy association in the US, CPhA is committed to advocating for the entire pharmacy profession, not just pharmacists. Host the annual Western Pharmacy Exchange (WPE) conference, CPhA has partnered with NHA to provide education sessions tailored to the pharmacy technician workforce.

NHA’s national pharmacy technician advisory board members are industry leaders that represent all facets of the pharmacy workforce. This episode of OnScript with NHA shares insights from within both the retail and health system pharmacy environments related to the expanded scope of practice. Co-hosts Jeremy Sasser and Jessica Langley discuss with these industry leaders key trends impacting the profession, such as professional development and career laddering opportunities. The discussion highlights the importance of elevating the roles of both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in tandem for the purpose of taking better care of patients.  All members of the team need to have shared goals associated with improving health outcomes, improving practice safety and medication use process in order to help the team work more effectively.

Margarita Fedorova, CPhT, joins host Jeremy Sasser and co-host Jessica Langley on the latest episode of OnScript with NHA to discuss the innovative pharmacy technician residency program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, the first program of its kind nationally.

Recently named Pharmacy Employer of the Year at the Western Pharmacy Exchange (WPE), Margarita serves as manager of pharmacy services for Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, where she has led numerous initiatives that push the boundaries of pharmacy technician practice and improve operational efficiency. She is responsible for coordinating the hospital’s tech-check-tech program, and has led the redesign of the technician practice models, supported a “meds to beds” program, and co-led the development and implementation of the pharmacy technician residency program.

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On this special episode of OnScript with NHA, we celebrate Pharmacy Technician’s Day by highlighting technician Susan Mumme, CPhT. Susan is the Pharmacy Purchasing Coordinator at Ochsner Medical Center – Hancock, and was recommended to us for an interview by a former pharmacy supervisor.  During this episode, we talk about how Susan got started in her pharmacy career, what changes over the past 20 years have been most impactful to her as a pharmacy technician, and find out what it was like taking care of her patients while taking a direct hit from Hurricane Katrina. 

Happy Pharmacy Technician’s day to all those pharmacy technicians taking care of their patients, directly or indirectly.  Your dedication to safety and quality throughout the entirety of the medication use process is not only necessary, but also appreciated.  Whether you’re behind the counter, mixing IVs in the hospital basement, or even teaching the next generation of pharmacy technician, we celebrate you and all you bring to the field of healthcare!  

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