Creating Space for Pharmacy Technicians to Lead and Thrive
Taylor Watterson, PharmD, PhD, discusses what a truly inclusive and technician-centered pharmacy looks like and what it takes to get there.
Pharmacy technicians are essential members of the health care team, yet their well-being is often overlooked. When technicians are overworked, underpaid, or unsupported, it affects not only their health but also the safety and quality of care patients receive. Prioritizing technician well-being isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s a necessary step toward improving the overall function of the pharmacy.
One of the key issues with the pharmacy technician career is that it is often seen as temporary rather than a long-term profession. Shifting this mindset requires better pay, meaningful opportunities for advancement, and recognition of the essential contributions pharmacy technicians make. When technicians are treated as career professionals, not just helpers, the entire pharmacy benefits.
Because technicians often understand daily pharmacy operations more intimately than pharmacists, they should be involved in decisions related to workflow, technology, and design. Involving them in operations ensures more efficient systems and greater job satisfaction. Many independent pharmacies already do this well, but larger chains need to catch up.
Drug Topics recently sat down with Taylor Watterson, PharmD, PhD, assistant professor at the University of Illinois Chicago Retzky College of Pharmacy, to discuss what a truly inclusive and technician-centered pharmacy looks like, and what steps are needed to get there.
“Both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians do so much work behind the counter,” Watterson said. “I'm really just grateful to amplify the work that they're doing, to be able to showcase some of that. I think we're moving in a really good direction in terms of both media coverage, but also even just having these conversations about what we can do about it. Thank your pharmacy technician. As a patient, when you go to the pharmacy, thank your pharmacy technician. I think we can really all work together to make this health system, and pharmacy in particular, better.”
