By Erin Michael, MBA, MS, CPhT, PCCA Director of Member Engagement

It’s hard to believe that my first job in pharmacy was over 31 years ago. Little did I know it would be the beginning of my lifelong career. I had been highly interested in science in school, so when I started as a clerk at a community pharmacy in Southern California, it was easy to see that this field was the perfect match for me. While the roles and responsibilities of a pharmacy technician were few back then, we have evolved into being a vital part of the health care team. Responsibilities included working the front register, faxing doctors for refill authorizations (yes, I said faxing) and occasionally some data entry. But gone are the days where a pharmacy technician can only count, pour, lick and stick for prescription after prescription.

The Pharmacy Technician of Today

The pharmacy technician of today includes positions in traditional retail, academia, institutions, compounding and pharmacy ownership, just to name a few. Over the years, I have enjoyed roles in many of those areas, including traditional community pharmacy; compounding; pharmacy ownership; corporate management; sales and marketing; consultant work; and one of my biggest passions, advocacy. We’ve raised the bar over the years, and today’s pharmacy technicians often hold graduate degrees and advanced certifications. We are very specialized in our niche of health care. As the pharmacy profession continues to evolve, the role of the pharmacy technician only becomes more and more vital to the success of patient outcomes.

Mike Johnston, CEO of the National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA) — and a pharmacy technician himself — recently shared with me that he has seen the role evolve significantly over the years, and as a result, we are seeing it become more advanced and career oriented. Looking ahead, as the scope of practice and responsibilities of pharmacy technicians continue to grow, pharmacists will be better able to provide valuable clinical and consultative support to both patients and prescribers. Mike also shared that he started NPTA because of an unmet need in the industry for advocacy and advancement for pharmacy technicians.

A Certification Opportunity for Pharmacy Technicians

An example of recognizing the vital role that pharmacy technicians play occurred in October 2020 when the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) authorized pharmacy technicians to administer COVID-19 vaccines as long as they are certified to give immunizations. The American Society of Health System Pharmacists has a great summary .

Mike and his team are also a part of this incredible milestone: They offer immunization certification classes through their association. NPTA’s Immunization Administration Training Program is accredited through the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education, and they developed it using HHS guidance. Technicians can complete this certification program online in a matter of days. As states are starting to create their own individual plans to immunize the public, pharmacy technicians can now add one more certification to their résumés while helping to end the pandemic one patient at a time.

Not “Just a Pharmacy Technician”

I often cringe when I hear a colleague say, “I am just a pharmacy technician.” There is no such thing as just a pharmacy technician, and I have never been prouder to be an integral part of the health care team. Our roles and responsibilities will continue to evolve, and I am looking forward to a bright future ahead of us.

My advice to any current or future pharmacy technician is to have pride in your role, never stop learning, get involved in advocacy for the profession and always be looking for ways you can help the pharmacy team enhance patient lives. If you’re looking for a rewarding career where you can achieve great things, share your passion about patient care and make a difference, then being a pharmacy technician is the perfect career for you!

Erin Michael, MBA, MS, CPhT, PCCA Director of Member Engagement, joined the PCCA staff in July 2006. She has been working in pharmacy for more than 25 years, of which 23 have been in compounding and promoting the practice of pharmacy. She previously worked for an independent pharmacy owner and was the general manager of multiple locations. Erin was instrumental in developing and implementing programs to promote and grow the compounding and traditional parts of that business. She holds an MBA in healthcare administration and an MS in hospitality management. She was recognized as PCCA Technician of the Month in August 1999 and California Pharmacists Association Technician of the Year in 2003.