Technicians Perform Vital Role in Academia

Pharmacy technicians perform an advanced, vital role in educating new generations of technicians to provide exemplary patient care in all areas of pharmacy practice. During my 45 years in various practice settings (my first position in the field was held while completing my bachelor of science in biology), a fervent desire to share all that I had been blessed to learn became a burning passion.

Recently, I was asked to describe the career path for technicians in academia and in other areas. There were pivotal moments that enriched my journey.

My first academic institution was a proprietary national chain’s pharmacy technician program. The requirements for employment were a minimum of 5 years’ verifiable experience in the field and national certification. The 9-month part-time diploma and 15-month associate of applied science program content were provided by the national corporate office. Students graduated from the program after completing 7 technician courses, a professional development/student success course, and an externship.

Much as I thought I would never be an educator, it was exhilarating because I was teaching my passion. What an epiphany it was when I realized that I was not merely training technicians within my company, which is different than teaching them. Rather, I was educating technicians to work in numerous roles for countless corporate chains, health systems, and independent practice settings across the nation. It was mind-blowing and greater than my initial dream.

Since 2012 it has been a blessing and a privilege to work in a public school system, where individuals must have a minimum of 6 years’ verifiable experience and hold national certification. Higher salaries are offered for higher levels of education.

The 9-month full-time adult program begins in August and ends in May or June. We also have a 2-year, part-time high school program, with a curriculum developed by the Florida Department of Education.

Other options to enter academia have included Spouses to Teachers and Troops to Teachers, which provide resources to help aspiring educators with military affiliation obtain temporary teaching certificates while preparing for full professional certification.1,2 In Florida, recent legislation passed to expedite a veterans’ program to help address the teacher shortage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Because requirements to teach vary among academic entities and states, individuals should research how they might qualify. National certification is also required.

Along my journey, I attended the 2008 American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition in Orlando, Florida.

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