Disclosure. Objectives. Did You Know? 7/25/2015. Career Opportunities. Advancing your Pharmacy Career as a Technician

Transcription

1 49th Annual Meeting Career Opportunities Tara Lynn McNulty CPhT, RPhT & Roma Merrick CPhT. RPhT Disclosure I do not have a vested interest in or affiliation with any corporate organization offering financial support or grant monies for this continuing education activity, or any affiliation with an organization whose philosophy could potentially bias my presentation OWNING CHANGE: Taking Charge of Your Profession Objectives Did You Know? Upon completion of this activity, the participant should be able to: Define traditional roles of a Pharmacy Technician Define/Describe Non- Traditional roles and advancement opportunities for a Pharmacy Technician Identify skills needed for Non- Traditional roles and Career Advancement According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, between 2012 to 2022, pharmacy technician jobs will grow 20%, faster than the average for all occupations. 1 This growth, in part, can be attributed to the changing nature of jobs for Pharmacy Technicians as their scope of practice moves beyond the traditional roles. Advancing your Pharmacy Career as a Technician What is your opportunity for growth? Identify potential areas for growth within your practice setting or. Pursue a Non- Traditional Role as a Pharmacy Technician? Advancing your Pharmacy Career as a Technician Traditionally, technicians have been able to advance into the following roles: Lead Technician Senior Technician Insurance Specialist Inventory Specialist Medication Safety and Quality Assurance Drug Shortage Management Medication Reconciliation IV/Chemotherapy Technician OR Technician Training Technician Supervisor Pharmacy Buyer Expanding the Role of Pharmacy Technicians by Angela Cassano, PharmD, BCPS, April Vol. 9 No. 4 - Page #28, (visited May 2, 2015). 1

2 Lead/Senior Technicians and Technician Supervisors Found in both hospital and community pharmacies Provides leadership and management to other pharmacy technicians Other duties Scheduling Coordinates and assigns work tasks Independent judgement to resolve issues Develop and train new employees Reviews department policies and procedures Insurance Specialist Found in community pharmacy and for insurance companies Responsible for answering various questions regarding third party insurance, Workers Compensation, and Government Medical Plans Clarifying insurance pharmacy claims Pharmacy audits Insurance authorizations Inventory Specialist and Pharmacy Buyer Inventory Specialist found in both community and hospital settings Inventory management Department spending Recalls Pharmacy Buyers in hospital settings: Pharmacy purchases (drugs, equipment, supplies, etc.) Inventory management Recalls IV and/or Chemotherapy Technicians Found in hospital settings as well as doctor s offices and home infusion pharmacy IV Admixtures TPNs Chemotherapy admixtures Ordering Stocking USP 797 compliance Operating Room Technician Traditionally found in hospital pharmacies and in free standing surgery centers Maintaining, stocking, and ordering for anesthesia trays used in daily surgery cases Narcotic disbursement and reconciliation Filling medication pumps Fulfilling medication requests from the OR surgical teams Delivering medications to the OR Preparing drips and irrigations for surgeries Understanding of USP 797 and sterile operating technique Pharmacy Technician Trainer Can be found in all pharmacy settings Training new employees on Techniques Workflow Job responsibilities Re-training current employees Skills assessments Practice regulations (USP 797, USP 795, etc.) 2

3 Medication Safety and Quality Assurance Traditionally found in hospital settings Medication error reporting Promote medication safety among pharmacy and nonpharmacy healthcare professionals Prevention strategies Medication error classifications Determining root causes for errors Drug Shortage Management Found in hospital pharmacies Works with pharmacists for substitutions Updates prescribers on current shortages and substitutions Medication Reconciliation Technician Found in the hospital setting, traditionally works in the emergency department Responsibilities: Obtaining a patient s medication history Medication clarifications with pharmacies and doctor s offices Reviewing what is ordered for the patient vs. what the patient is taking at home Provider notifications Patient compliance Advancing your Pharmacy Career as a Technician The evolving nature of the pharmacy industry presents many new opportunities for technicians to advance that are considered non- traditional pharmacy careers, such as the following: Quality Coordinator Pharmacy Sales Specialist Pharmacy Technician Educator Clinical Coordinator Regulatory Affairs Coordinator/ Specialist Pharmacy Customer Service Supervisor Pharmacy Training Specialist Pharmacy Data Analyst Pharmacy Benefits Analyst Pharmacy Tech Program Director MTM/ DUR Coordinator Pharmacy Project Manager Billing Specialist Leadership / Management Contract Auditor Non- Non- Quality Coordinator Can be found in all pharmacy settings Conducts operational and gap analyses to identify potential quality or compliance opportunities Collect and summarize performance data Track and maintains quality results for distribution Reviews variances from normal policy and procedures and ensures corrective action planning is completed and implemented Conduct quality review of compliance guidelines (pharmacy appeal process timeframe requirements) Clinical Coordinator Found in hospital, managed care, research, doctor s offices, and insurance Identifying trends in medication usage Treatment scheduling Educational Setting Responsible for attracting and acquiring new clinical sites Evaluate students for placement at appropriate practice site Track / maintain documents including, timesheets, evaluations, and site questionnaires in order to forecast course completion and graduation dates Work with sites and Clinical Services department to identified appropriate candidates for open positions 3

4 Non- Non- Pharmacy Customer Service Supervisor Found in community and mail-order pharmacies Responsibilities include: Handle customer inquiries, complaints and provide resolutions Hire, supervise, and train pharmacy personnel Oversee the day-to-day operations of Customer Service Unit Streamline internal workflow processes to improve performance and customer retention Training on customer service etiquette Establish relationships with external customers such as doctors offices and vendors to ensure successful business relationships Pharmacy Data Analyst Can be found in the managed care setting and IT Collects, compiles and analyzes data to measure and report on performance of pharmacy programs from a clinical programs or financial perspective Performs audits Maintaining knowledge of current pharmacy trends and practices Complete trend analyses on CMS metrics for Star ratings. Non- Non- Pharmacy Billing Specialist Can be found in all pharmacy settings Obtaining prior authorizations for medications Follow up with claims, rejections, and denials Interacting with customers about claims status Filing appeals Processing financial assistance applications Pharmacy Technician Educator Found in Post Secondary Schools Instruct the assigned course (s) in accordance with the approved curriculum Create & maintain a teaching assignment designed for each specific class as it relates to pharmacy curriculum. Evaluate student progress and strengths to prepare for externship at various pharmacy setting opportunities Utilize a variety of teaching techniques to accommodate the learning styles of a diverse student enrollment. Design & create lab assignments specific area being taught (extemporaneous compounding, aseptic technique, sterile products, & retail simulation activities, full medical terminology overview, full math overview including theory and algebraic equations) Non- Can You Grow? Pharmacy Project Manager Found in various settings Coordinates and manages key pharmacy project initiatives- development of work plans, assigning responsibilities, and monitoring current pharmacy project progress Conduct user acceptance testing (UAT) on various pharmacy deliverables Monitors pharmacy developed work plans and enforces accountability by key stakeholders Assist with organization and workflow production plans to ensure efficiency Prepares strategic analysis of potential business and operational opportunities Represent pharmacy in cross functional teams and to external vendors Yes!! 4

5 Example Pharmacy Technician Career Path of Growth and Advancement Achieving Advancement The following will help ensure your best chance to advance in any setting or role: Certification/ Specialization Advance Education (AA/BS Degree) Expand skill set by working in as many functional areas as possible-stand out amongst your peers Ask about opportunities! Demonstrate strong work ethic and teamwork Become involved in Professional Organizations (FSHP, ASHP, PTEC,) Strategies for Achievement Resume and CV Acquire strong technical skills (MS Office Suite- Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Visio, Project) Snag-It, Captivate Training- gain more experience through learning Build a strong resume/cv showcasing skills, experience, and achievements Be ambitious! Pursue positions that will position you to grow within your organization Network- get out there and talk to others in your field! What is the difference between a resume and CV? The primary difference between these two documents is length. Resume a brief account of an individual s education, qualifications, and previous work experiences that typically is no more than a page or two Resume and CV Thank You! What is the difference between a resume and CV? The primary difference between these two documents is length. CV is at least a two page summary of one s skills and experience, and includes academic background, teaching experiences, degrees, research, awards, publications, presentations, and other achievements 5

6 Citations 1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Edition, Pharmacy Technicians, on the Internet at (visited May 1, 2015). 2. Expanding the Role of Pharmacy Technicians by Angela Cassano, PharmD, BCPS, April Vol. 9 No. 4 - Page #28, on the Internet at Expanding_the_Role_of_Pharmacy_Technicians/ (visited May 2, 2015). 6