{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: A qualitative analysis of opportunities to strengthen pharmacy technician career pathways across practice settings.
{Author}: Bacci JL;Oster N;Pollack SW;Skillman SM;
{Journal}: Am J Health Syst Pharm
{Volume}: 0
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024 Aug 13
{Factor}: 2.98
{DOI}: 10.1093/ajhp/zxae226
{Abstract}: <B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>In an effort to expedite the publication of articles, AJHP is posting manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time.<BR><B>OBJECTIVE: </B>To identify pharmacy technician career pathways across pharmacy practice settings and opportunities to strengthen and expand these pathways.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Interviews were conducted with 17 participants from national pharmacy organizations, community pharmacies, health systems, and academia from March to May 2023. Interview questions were designed to elicit participants' perceptions of factors influencing entry into, recruitment and retention of, and advancement of the pharmacy technician workforce. Interview notes were analyzed using a rapid thematic analysis approach.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Seven themes were identified, including 3 themes related to entry: (1) healthcare interest and prior exposure facilitate pharmacy technician career discovery; (2) variation in and quantity of entry-level requirements can impede entry into pharmacy technician careers; and (3) proactive promotion of pharmacy technician careers needed. Two themes were related to recruitment and retention: (4) pharmacy technician compensation not aligned with job demands and (5) career ladders or lattices create advancement opportunities. Two themes were related to professional advancement: (6) pharmacy technician advancement limited by weak professional identity and (7) scope-of-practice policies can facilitate pharmacy technician advancement.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>This study highlights the challenges pharmacy technicians face in their careers. Key findings stress cultivating a professional identity for pharmacy technicians, establishing career ladders or lattices, and advocating for policies that facilitate pharmacy technician professional advancement. These efforts are vital for sustaining the pharmacy technician workforce and ensuring quality patient care amidst the changing landscape of the pharmacy profession.