PTSBC hosts seminar on roles of oncology techs in U.S.

The Pharmacy Technician Society of British Columbia (PTSBC) recently hosted a well-attended virtual webinar on “Roles and Responsibilities of Oncology Pharmacy Technicians in Medically Integrated Pharmacies.” Presenters included Taryn Newsome, a Virginia-based Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) and the Oncology Pharmacy Technician Association (OPTA) coordinator at the National Community Oncology Dispensing Association (NCODA); Carol Hemersbach, CPhT, supervisor for Arizona Blood and Cancer Specialists Medically Integrated Pharmacy (MIP); and Vonda McClendon, CPhT, a senior pharmacy technician at Texas Oncology, a network of physicians and oncology specialists who provide advanced treatment options to cancer patients in underserved rural and urban communities throughout the state. Read: New textbook to support pharmacy technician education in Canada Newsome noted that OPTA is the only organization specific to the discipline of oncology pharmacy technician. The Association has more than 800 members, and offers monthly webinars, a monthly newsletter, and many other resources. It recently launched an oncology pharmacy technician certification program focusing on oral oncolytics. In introducing Hemsbacher as an oncology pharmacy technician in a medically integrated pharmacy (MIP), Newsome explained that a MIP, as defined by NCODA, is “a dispensing pharmacy within an oncology centre of excellence that promotes a patient-centred multidisciplinary team approach.” Hemsbacher outlined some of her responsibilities in this capacity, including preparation for site visits by accreditation organizations, prescription triage, prior authorization with insurers, and financial assistance for patients. The role “just keeps growing,” she noted. Read: Tech Talk for technicians McClendon explained that Texas Oncology has more than 100 locations throughout Texas, most operating as retail pharmacies. She says many of the technicians are cross-trained to do IV mixtures as well as managing oral oncology medications. Technicians also help develop strategies to improve workflow efficiencies. “We are empowered to work with the pharmacists to change those,” she says. “Pharmacy technicians in our discipline are definitely driving workplace innovation.” Newsome outlined several resources for oncology pharmacy technicians, noting that membership in OPTA and NCODA is complimentary and available to technicians in Canada. OPTA also offers many webinars through NCODA University, which are also free of charge and specific to oncology. At the conclusion of the presentation, Newsome said she welcomed the opportunity to connect and collaborate with pharmacy technicians in Canada, and invited interested participants to contact her directly at Taryn.Newsome@NCODA.org.

PTSBC hosts seminar on roles of oncology techs in U.S.

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