TPTS officially launched today, and I'm excited to share why this initiative is critically important to every member of the pharmacy workforce.

We have always relied on pharmacy technicians to sustain our pharmacy operations. But today’s technicians do so much more. They’re the backbone of pharmacy compounding services. They screen patients, take medication histories, and administer vaccines. They monitor compliance with the 340B Drug Pricing Program and train their peers — they contribute to positive patient outcomes in countless ways.

This ongoing transformation of the pharmacy workforce is positive for technicians, patients, pharmacies, and the healthcare system. We need to sustain this shift toward improved care, even as pharmacy operations everywhere struggle to fill entry-level and advanced positions for pharmacy technicians.

TPTS is an important part of the solution to our workforce challenges. Led by and comprised of pharmacy technicians, TPTS will support new and seasoned pharmacy technicians as well as people who are interested in exploring a career as a technician.

As a unique professional community for all pharmacy technicians practicing in hospital systems, community pharmacies, clinics, and all other settings, TPTS will provide practical tools that enhance technicians’ skills and support their career aspirations.

TPTS will also advocate on behalf of pharmacy technicians and promote public awareness of how technicians contribute to better care and outcomes for patients.

With the launch of TPTS, all current ASHP pharmacy technician members will automatically be enrolled as a member of TPTS while also maintaining their membership with ASHP.

We are also very pleased to offer all technicians – whether you are a member of ASHP or not – a free trial membership to TPTS, using code JUNE24, through June 30, 2024. Please share this good news with your technician colleagues or contact TPTS at [email protected] if you would like to enroll your technician staff.

Additional TPTS membership benefits include:

• Access to continuing education, webinars, podcasts, and practice resources such as a monthly newsletter, a comprehensive website, and career development services.
• Opportunities to connect with other pharmacy technician professionals across the country through live and virtual networking forums.
• National and state advocacy on behalf of pharmacy technicians.
• Venues to create and advocate for policies and regulations that promote safe medication use and create advanced practice positions for technicians.
• Toolkits, guidelines, publications, and other resources that support the daily work and advancement of pharmacy technicians.

These needs were identified, in part, by the many pharmacy technicians who have participated in ASHP’s Pharmacy Technician Forum since it was established in 2018. Their work laid the foundation for TPTS. In the months ahead, the functions of the forum will be transitioned over to TPTS, and the new organization will appoint members to its Board of Directors. We invite any technicians who are interested in serving on the inaugural TPTS Board of Directors to submit an application or nominate a colleague by January 31, 2024. Following the inaugural board appointments, pharmacy technicians will vote for TPTS board members going forward.

The time is now to ensure our pharmacy workforce has the resources and support they need to succeed. We are thrilled to see TPTS launch and look forward to seeing the organization grow and adapt to meet the evolving needs of the technician workforce in the years to come. I’m pleased to have all of you here at the start of this journey, and I look forward to what lies ahead.

Thank you for all you do for your patients and our profession.

Sincerely,

Paul

Posted on November 16, 2023