OUT OF THE SILO
AND INTO THE FIELD
REAPING THE HARVEST:
THE IMPORTANCE OF WELL-TRAINED
PHARMACY TECHNICIANS
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
OBJECTIVES
Define a VA pharmacy technician.
Discuss the basic training needs for
successful orientation with new VA
pharmacy technicians.
Describe the pharmacist’s role in pharmacy
technician training, development, and
mentoring.
Explain the need for establishing standards
for training and competencies.
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
OBJECTIVES
Discuss the significance of leadership
development for pharmacy technicians.
Discuss the importance of communication and
networking among pharmacy technicians.
Discuss the involvement of VA pharmacy
technicians in the overall VA mission.
Describe the impact and the developing roles
of pharmacy technicians throughout the VA
system.
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
PLANTING THE SEED FOR
WELL-TRAINED
PHARMACY TECHNICIANS
Richard Wilson, CPhT
Coatesville VAMC
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
To Plant:
• To put or set in the ground for growth
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
Provide a good “GROWTH” environment
• It is important to provide quality training and
support to our technicians
• Encourage them to expand their knowledge base
• Challenge them to think outside the box
• Utilize their knowledge when doing special
projects or redesigns
• Encourage them to join Technician
organizations such as the AAPT and attend their
conferences
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
Planting the Seed
Pharmacist’s role in
technician training model




Team member
Leader
Teacher
Motivator
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
Planting the Seed
• Good customer service and
communication skills are needed
– Interaction between patients, coworkers
– Liaison between pharmacy and other
healthcare professionals
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
Planting the Seed
• Member of the pharmacy team
– There is no PHARMACY TEAM without “A TECH”
– Assists pharmacists to provide medication and other
healthcare products & services to Veterans
– Must be focused and pay attention to detail
– Must possess basic mathematics, spelling, and reading
skills
– Computer skills are a must
– Ability to multi-task is a plus
– Problem solving capabilities
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
Planting the Seed
VA Pharmacy Technician:
A valid Profession with many specialized
jobs.
There also exists different levels of training:
Grandfathered trained on the job
Grandfathered and formal training but
uncertified
On the job trained and certified
Formal training and certified
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
Planting the Seed
• Training needs for technicians
– Model curriculum/training for all pharmacy
technicians
• Informatics Technician Workgroup
– Provide step by step VistA training for most
pharmacy functions performed by technicians
– Develop competencies for all areas of technician
responsibilities
• Mentors
– Develop mentor programs to match new technicians
with tenured technicians
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
Motivation for Certification
• It’s important to motivate uncertified
technicians to become certified.
• Uncertified technicians cannot apply
for any specialized jobs even if it is a
lateral transfer.
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
Now that the seed has been planted it is
time to promote it’s development and
growth .
In other words…
CULTIVATE
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
13
CULTIVATING A WELL
TRAINED
PHARMACY TECHNICIAN
Edna Bowser, CPhT
VA Butler Healthcare
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
What does cultivate mean?
• One definition: to develop or
improve by education or training;
train; refine.
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
Why is there a need to
“cultivate” the pharmacy
technician?
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
• The workload is continually changing
for the pharmacist and pharmacy
service which has led to a broader
sharing of duties for the pharmacy
technician.
***There is a need to “weed out” negative
thinking.***
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
• Pharmacy technicians are a critical
component of the pharmacy service
and in the overall VA Mission. There are
close to 3,800 pharmacy technicians
employed by the VA.
*This is too large a work force to let “dry
rot”.*
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
• By cultivating pharmacy technicians
using more of a formal type training or
standardized training rather than “on
the job” the overall growth would
improve the efficiency and quality of
care for our Veterans.
* Standardized training is essential for
“growth”.*
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
CULTIVATING: THE NEED
FOR ESTABLISHING STANDARDIZED
TRAINING AND COMPETENCIES
There is a saying “If you have seen one VA,
you have seen one VA”. The same saying
could be said regarding the pharmacy
technician “If you have seen one pharmacy
technician, you have seen one pharmacy
technician”.
Continued…
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
Continued…
• Currently, pharmacy technicians are
assuming many different roles with little
training and few standards or competencies.
• By having established standards for training
this would improve this workforce and
benefit the whole system.
• The bottom line is… we need to STOP
reinventing the wheel.
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
GS SCALES – what are pharmacy
technicians doing at different levels?
More than just pill counters…
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
Patient Care Assistant/Clinical Pharmacy Technician
•
Augusta, GA – GS-7
The primary duties of this position are performed in the outpatient pharmacy
area of the pharmacy department/program and the purpose of this position is
to improve patient satisfaction with the outpatient pharmacy prescription pickup process. The incumbent is a highly specialized, efficient, motivated and
customer-friendly technician, who, under the authority of the Chief, Pharmacy
Service, is responsible for the technical and appropriate clinical management
of patient care assistance in regard to the outpatient pharmacy operation. The
incumbent is responsible for providing a variety of complex technical and
automated functions that require the application of extensive knowledge of
pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and pharmacy practices. The incumbent is
expected to work with considerable autonomy but under the guidance of a
registered pharmacist and under the direct supervision of a pharmacist
supervisor as required by law. The incumbent is expected to maintain a high
degree of accurate productivity and performance while being extremely
sensitive to the specific contribution to total patient care. As assigned, the
incumbent is expected to accomplish all duties normally performed by both
general and specialized technicians related to stocking, delivering, inventory,
inspections, prescription set-ups, IV and hazardous drug compounding,
controlled substances dispensing and monitoring, telephone care, as well as
unit-dose drug packaging, dispensing, and distribution.
www.usajobs.gov
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
Pharmacy Technician Supervisor
Temple, TX – GS-7/8
•
The Pharmacy Technician Supervisor oversees the inpatient pharmacy
technician operation at the Temple facility of the Central Texas
Veterans Health Care System (CTVHCS). Incumbent maintains a
complex pharmacy technician program consisting of pharmacy
technicians, students, residents, aides, and trainees. Incumbent
utilizes sound personnel practices and innovative human resource
management techniques in the selection, training, team building, and
supervision of the professional and technical workforce. Incumbent
formulates policy and procedures in the design and implementation of
pharmaceutical care to both provide service and maintain efficiency
and economy. Incumbent will be responsible for CTHVCS committee
participation, scheduling, leave evaluation/approval, timecard
processing, performance appraisals, workflow analysis, and training
of staff on pharmacy automation/equipment. In addition, this position
will provide distributive technician duties as necessary and perform
other administrative duties as assigned.
www.usajobs.gov
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
Pharmacy Technician (ADPAC)– GS-8
MAJOR DUTIES:
The ADP application coordinator (ADPAC) has primary responsibility for
management of VISTA processing within Pharmacy Service and for
coordinating with IRM Service to secure the programs, hardware, and
technical assistance needed to support the pharmaceutical service of the
medical center. As such he/she identifies and implements or initiates
implementation of changes to improve performance and/or correct
problems. Responsible for all Pharmacy electronic new user request
entries, including assigning menus, keys and mail groups and for advising
Pharmacy Service management of the application of both VA designed
and commercially available data management technology. Provides
information, recommendations and advice related to VISTA directly to
Pharmacy Manager or designee to assist management in planning,
prioritizing, and decision making.
www.usajobs.gov
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
Pharmacy Technician (Anticoagulation Clinic)
Veterans Affairs, -WA-Tacoma - GS – 6/7
• MAJOR DUTIES: The primary functions of the anticoagulation
clinic pharmacy technician are to provide administrative,
clerical, and basic clinical support to the pharmacist managed
anticoagulation clinics. All work is performed under the
supervision of the anticoagulation clinic pharmacist and under
protocols approved by the Clinical Executive Board. The
pharmacy technician must be certified by the National
Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB). The
incumbent must have the ability to independently gather,
evaluate, and analyze data of patients per established protocols
and discern when to bring problems to the attention of the
assigned anticoagulation clinic pharmacist.
www.usajobs.gov.
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
Consolidated Mail Outpatient Pharmacy
MAJOR DUTIES:
Leavenworth, KS – GS-6
You will serve as a Pharmacy Technician in the Consolidated Mail Outpatient
Pharmacy (CMOP) in any of the following areas:
Manual, automated dispensing, labeling, manifesting, and packing of controlled
substance. Taking inventory and replenishing automated dispensing devices.
Operating and troubleshooting automated dispensing equipment when needed.
Responding to inquiries from professional staff and representatives of industry.
Interpreting, filling, and readying a wide variety of prescriptions from bulk
regular stock and controlled substances. Checking and rotating pharmacy
stock. Witnessing and recording the destruction of drugs. Operating and
maintaining complicated pharmacy equipment. Assisting with basic inventory
activities. Executing pour-backs or returning items to stock, labeling
prescriptions; performing aseptic techniques. Receiving supplies and checking
for shortages, tampering, breakage, etc. Assisting in final prescription checks.
Collects and collates quality assurance data.
www.usajobs.gov
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
Additional Pharmacy Technician
Duties:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
MED RECONCILIATION
NARCOTIC/CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE
PURCHASING/PROCUREMENT
AUTOMATION
CHEMOTHERAPY
CALL CENTER
COPAY
OUTPATIENT/INPATIENT
OSTOMY
???????
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
Is cultivating a waste of time?
• These jobs are here to stay. Lets not only
define them, but refine them…
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
Employment Change
• Employment of pharmacy technicians
and aides is expected to increase by
25 percent from 2008 to 2018.
• Employment of pharmacists is
expected to grow by 17 percent
between 2008 and 2018.
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
Is cultivating a waste of time?
The next group of slides depicts what
type of education requirements there
are currently for pharmacy technicians
jobs within the VA and the disparities in
what those requirements are.
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
*Certification
• We need to encourage the pharmacy
technicians who are not certified to work
toward that goal including those who have
been “grandfathered” in.
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
GS-3
• BASIC REQUIREMENTS: GS-3: Completion of 1year of post high school coursework related to
medicine (e.g. chemistry, biology, college
mathematics, etc.),
• or successful completion of a 1-year accredited
pharmacy technician training program,
• or 6 months of general experience, that may
have included experience in another medical
field (licensed practical nurse, laboratory
technology, etc.)
www.usajobs.gov
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
GS-4
• GS-4: Successful completion of 2 years
above high school with courses related
to pharmacy, or pharmacy technology,
• or 1 year of general experience that
may have included experience in
another medical field (Licensed
Practical Nurse, Laboratory
Technology, etc).
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
GS-5
• One year of specialized experience
equivalent to the next lower level in the
federal government,
• or successful completion of a 4-year
course of study above high school
leading to a Bachelor’s degree that
included at least 24 semester hours of
courses related to pharmacy or
pharmacy technology.
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
GS -5/6
Castle Point, NY
•
•
•
•
•
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
GS-5
Successful completion of a 4-year course of study above high school
leading to a bachelor's degree that included at least 24 semester hours
of courses related to pharmacy or pharmacy technology; successful
completion of pertinent specialized training courses in pharmaceutical
and pharmacy services while serving in the Armed Forces is
creditable on a month-for-month basis up to the 1 year of experience
required for the GS-5 level
GS-6
One year experience at the next lower level (GS-5), and must fully meet
the KSAs at the next lower level.
•
PTCB certification is required at this grade level and above.
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
GS-6
• Educational Requirements: A high
school diploma or equivalent;
• or at least 3 months experience
• Licensure, Registration and/or
Certification Requirements:
Certification by the National Pharmacy
Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
is required for performance at the GS-6
level.
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
• Experience Qualification Statement
• GS-6: PTCB certification is required
NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting
institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in
order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly
positions with a positive education requirement). Therefore,
applicants must report only attendance and/or degree from
schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by
the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify
accreditation at the following website:
http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. All
education claimed by applicants will be verified by the
appointment agency accordingly.
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
GS-7
• Basic Requirements: Must be a citizen
of the United States. A high school
diploma or equivalent;
• or at least 3 months experience.
• Certification by the National Pharmacy
Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
GS-8
• Basic Requirements: A high school
diploma or equivalent;
• or at least 3 months experience.
• Certification by the National Pharmacy
Technician Certification Board (PTCB).
• At the GS-8 level, applicants must have
one year of professional experience
equivalent to the GS-7 level.
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
The importance of communication and
networking among pharmacy
technicians.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Increasing Patient Safety
Share Best Practices
Process Improvements
Promote Teamwork/Professionalism
Increase Motivation
Overall Increased Proficiency
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
OVER 3,800 VA Pharmacy Technicians
Cultivating
Some are cultivating.
Some have dry rotted.
Some have gone to
seed.
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
“IF WE DID ALL OF THE THINGS
WE ARE CAPABLE OF, WE
WOULD LITERALLY ASTOUND
OURSELVES.”
THOMAS EDISON
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
• AS LONG AS THERE ARE NO
ATTEMPTS TO MAKE
IMPROVEMENTS; NOTHING WILL
CHANGE. AS LONG AS THINGS ARE
MEDIOCRE AT BEST THERE WILL BE
NO INITIATIVE TO CHANGE.
HOWEVER, WHAT COULD HAPPEN IF
GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO
PRODUCE.
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
We have provided a good growth
environment and cultivated our crop to
the best of our ability. Now it is time to
reap the benefits of our labor…
The Harvest
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
45
Harvesting Well-Trained
Pharmacy Technicians
LeAnn Gadbaw, CPhT
Fayetteville VA, NC
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
HARVEST
• A supply of anything gathered at
maturity and stored
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
HARVEST
• Presently, information
is not efficiently
disseminated to
technicians
• Communication
•
Communication
– Promote the existing
national pharmacy
technician mail group
VHAPBH PHARMACY TECHNICIAN
– Sharing VA best
practices
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
HARVEST
• Networking among pharmacy
technicians
• Enhanced opportunities to attend
national conferences and training
– VeHU
– PBM National Conventions
– National technician associations
– Informatics Face to Face
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
HARVEST
• Involvement of pharmacy technicians
in the overall VA mission
– Mission: “To care for him who shall have
borne the battle, and for his widow, and
his orphan” by serving and honoring the
men and women who are America’s
veterans.
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
HARVEST
• Strategic Vision
– To provide the best possible care for our
veterans, the VA needs highly trained/skilled
pharmacy technicians
– Technician roles will only be getting more
complex
– Aligned with ASHP initiative
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
HARVEST
• Impact of Highly Trained Technicians –
where do technicians fit in?
– Increased capabilities
• Pharmacist shortages
• Allow pharmacists more patient
contact/clinical interventions
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
HARVEST
• Leaders in the
workplace
– Understanding of
pharmacy operations
• Greater involvement
– Local/VISN/ and
national level
– State boards,
certification exams,
national organizations
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
HARVEST
• Increased patient safety
– Understand the important role they play in
patient care
– Understand roles of all members of the
multidisciplinary team
– Monitor data and make informed decisions
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
HARVEST
• Career ladder
– Technician classifications
– Need for advancement
– Technician retention
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
HARVEST
• Are VA technician roles keeping up
with the private sector?
– Clinical pharmacy techs-Duke
– Pharmacy informatics tech-Vanderbilt
– ER medication reconciliation techsPresbyterian Hospital-Charlotte
– Barcode medication technician-Durham
Regional Hospital
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
HARVEST
• Looking to the F t re
– No future without “u”
– What opportunities will be afforded techs?
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
HARVEST
• History repeats itself
– Technicians will be doing some jobs that
pharmacists are doing today
– Pharmacists delve into more clinical roles
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
HARVEST
• Look outside the
box
• Question traditional
roles
– Need to stay within
scope of practice
– Untapped resources exist
– Effective utilization of
technicians
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup
REAPING THE HARVEST: THE
IMPORTANCE OF WELL-TRAINED
PHARMACY TECHNICIANS
Questions??
Pharmacy Informatics
Workgroup