Dear Colleague,
In today's rapidly evolving health care environment, the role of pharmacy technicians is crucial to the success of independent pharmacies. A skilled technician can be invaluable in freeing up the pharmacist to spend more of their time providing primary care, overseeing dispensing services, and building their business. Finding and keeping good technicians is also one of the biggest challenges for independent pharmacists. Our surveys consistently show that technicians are at the top of many pharmacy owners' recruiting list. That's why NCPA joined the PTCB Board of Governors—because we believe in the value of highly trained, certified technicians to enhance patient care and operational efficiencies that help pharmacy owners retain top employees and grow their business.
NCPA's involvement with PTCB has only deepened my appreciation for the importance of technicians and has broadened my thinking about their training and retention and how those two things go together. Candidly, in years past technician certification has not always been a top NCPA priority. However, there are compelling reasons that make business and clinical sense for technicians to become certified.
One of the most compelling reasons is that PTCB-certified technicians tend to stay longer with their employers—a critical factor in our ongoing staffing challenges. Nearly half of all PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technicians (CPhTs) have been with their employers for six or more years, compared to just over 10 percent of uncertified technicians. And it's not hard to understand. Technicians whom you encourage to get certified feel like they're investing in their careers, building higher knowledge and more skills. Employees who are invested in what they're doing, and who see a path upward, tend to stay in their jobs longer. This level of retention can significantly impact your pharmacy's stability and bottom line.
I've updated my views on other things too. Many years ago, I took a PTCB practice exam. In my personal opinion, it seemed hospital-oriented and disconnected from community pharmacy practice. That was a couple of decades ago. Things change. PTCB continues to evolve to meet the needs of our industry. Their updated CPhT exam, introduced in 2020, goes beyond the hospital setting and caters to all practice settings by focusing on general skills and knowledge. That evolution was crucial to NCPA deciding to join up with PTCB. I also like that there is an avenue for additional certifications that could really help some pharmacy owners in specific areas, like sterile compounding, or with certificates in areas like billing and reimbursement or immunization administration. This ensures that your technicians are well-prepared to support the pharmacists' work in caring for patients.
To further support your technicians, PTCB has developed a robust suite of practice tools, including the Pre-PTCE and the new PTCE Practice Bank. Those who pass the Pre-PTCE are nearly three times more likely to pass the actual certification exam, and those who engage with the PTCE Practice Bank average 10 percent higher in passing rates. These resources can give your technicians the confidence they need to succeed on the exam.
At NCPA, we've invested in PTCB because they invest in pharmacy and because we know the demands on you as a pharmacy owner have never been greater. You need a well-trained team to support your efforts in running the business and taking care of the people in your community. As each of you continue to invest in your pharmacy technicians, I encourage you to consider the benefits of PTCB certification for your team. They've started a series of stories about some of our very own NCPA members which may inspire you. If you'd like to learn more, connect with the PTCB team here.
Best,
B. Douglas Hoey, Pharmacist, MBA
NCPA CEO
