Chelsea Ogan

Chelsea Ogan is not a pharmacist. However, like a lot of technicians, she fell into pharmacy by accident. Ogan started with Walmart on the register and worked her way up to the pharmacy. She transferred to Nashville to another Walmart for a year, after getting her certification. She never thought she would work in a hospital or sterile compounding because the exam prep books make it sound terrifying! After her third year in retail, Ogan decided it wasn't for her, and she wanted to try hospital work. This is where she learned "never say never.” Ogan took her first hospital job for an additional three years and eventually worked as lead technician before wanting a fresh start and learning a new trade. She wanted to learn chemotherapy IV compounding. Vanderbilt University Medical Center had a job opportunity for a technician for chemotherapy compounding and Ogan applied, and they took a chance on her. She worked there for a year with a wonderful team and learned a lot. Ogan then transferred to a new location, Vanderbilt Health One Hundred Oaks, where she works in outpatient clinics. She still compounds chemotherapy and oversees all the multispecialty clinics under the supervision of the manager in charge. Ogan completed her BA in healthcare administration with a minor in long-term care two years ago. Now she focuses on being the best leader, preceptor, and pharmacy technician that she can be.

Current Responsibilities:
Leading five wonderful pharmacy technicians, precepting technician students, educating clinic staff on medication compliance, and training new technicians sterile compounding.

Facility:
Vanderbilt is a teaching hospital, but it is also a health system. We have so many moving pieces. Technically, the section I work at is an outpatient ambulatory section.

Recent Significant Projects:
I have completed a few CE publications recently, one with ASHP with two other amazing individuals and one for CE impact through PTEC with my copartner. I also have been doing Clinical In-services with some of our clinics on-site here, where I go over compliance documentation with them to better educate them on policies and procedures.

Advice for Someone New to a Specialty Area:
Be receptive to feedback, be respectful of yourself and others, and most importantly value teamwork. You can't make it anywhere without teamwork.

Involvement with ASHP:
Currently I am working with a fantastic group of pharmacists on the SPPL Educational Steering Committee. I am excited to collaborate with everyone and see what knowledge I can get from everyone this term.

Reason for ASHP Involvement:
I was encouraged by my supervisor (now manager) and best friend to get involved more within our field. Also, another fellow technician who stays involved. I decided to put myself out there and now honestly, I am hooked!

Value of ASHP for Peers or Colleagues:
You can collaborate and connect with other people. It opens so many doors for you to learn new things. I also feel it looks good to be active on paper. It isn't just impressive for pharmacists. Technicians are a valued member of groups as well. I really appreciate that.

Value of ASHP for the Profession:
It’s the connections you make, the collaborations, and the overall knowledge you can share with each other as you all work with a diverse group of people.