Young Leader in Pharmacy Kristen Ramsdale: "I have a passion for teaching and shaping the next generation of pharmacy technicians."

Snapshot

Education:

Graduate from Fanshawe College Pharmacy Technician program; currently completing a Bachelors in Adult Education through Brock University

Current role:

Registered Pharmacy Technician with the Ontario College of Pharmacists. Currently in four different and unique roles.

• Lambton College – Part-Time Faculty and Lab Technologist in the Pharmacy Technician Program.
• Chatham-Kent Health Alliance – Inpatient Hospital Pharmacy Technician
• Chatham-Kent Public Health – Pharmacy Technician at the Mass Vaccination Clinic and Mobile vaccine clinics.
• Medavie Health Services – Site lead on mobile vaccination clinics run through the Ontario Ministry of Health’s Go-VAXX bus.  Responsible for supervising and overseeing the clinical process and procedures as well as the safety elements of the mobile vaccine clinic.

What excites you about being a pharmacy technician?

The increasing scope of practice and evolving role of the pharmacy technician are a couple of the many things that excite me about being in this profession. Throughout the past two years, it has become quite evident how valuable pharmacy technicians are in the healthcare industry. Expanding our scope of practice to be able to administer injections during the pandemic not only showcased how valuable our skills and knowledge are but allowed healthcare professionals and members of the public to better understand the role that Registered Pharmacy Technicians have in our healthcare system. We have witnessed many changes to both the pharmacy technicians' and pharmacists' scope of practice within the past year.  The impact that our profession has had on the healthcare system in the last few years excites me for the future and the possibilities that lie ahead.

When you graduated, what did you envision for your future?

One thing that I knew for certain when I graduated was that I wanted to challenge the status quo about how pharmacy technicians can contribute to healthcare, outside of our traditional roles. At the time, I did not know how I would accomplish this but was determined not to follow the traditional paths that seemed to be set in stone in front of me. 

How has your career evolved since your graduation?

When I first graduated from the Pharmacy Technician program at Fanshawe College, I worked in community pharmacy as an assistant for many years. After registration, I knew I wanted to take on the challenge of something new, exciting, and different. I transitioned to the hospital shortly after registration.  Since then, I have started working at Lambton College in their Pharmacy Technician Program. I have learned that I have a passion for teaching and shaping the next generation of pharmacy technicians. I was also presented with the opportunity to work with Chatham Kent Public Health and Medavie Health Services to provide patients with COVID vaccinations throughout the pandemic. The Go-Vaxx mobile clinic campaign across Ontario provided me with the most unique work experience that I have had to date and challenged the role of the pharmacy technician. On the Go-Vaxx mobile clinic, I became a supervisor who oversaw the daily clinical process and safety of the mobile clinic.

How would you describe a great day at work?

There is an old saying that states if you choose a job you love, you will never have to work a day in your life. Describing a “great day at work” for me means that I have had a positive impact on another person or society overall. Great days at work for me look very different depending on the setting that I am in. Some days this may start with a student finally grasping a technique or a concept and seeing that connection come together firsthand in the classroom. It may be out in practice, immunizing a patient and seeing that sense of gratitude that comes with it. It is rewarding to be able to work with students and patients on a regular basis and make a difference in their life. 
 

How important is mentoring in your career?

I have been fortunate to have mentors from different healthcare backgrounds to provide me with support, wisdom and inspiration. I believe that I have been able to advance in my career through their help and guidance. Having mentors to help you through challenging times, that you can lean on for support and advice, that push you out of your comfort zone, that see strengths that you have that you may not see... these are the people who can help you propel yourself forward in your career. They have provided me with the drive and determination to challenge the status quo.

What advice would you give to new pharmacy graduates?

Always say yes to new opportunities even if they are outside of your comfort zone; allow yourself to explore different areas of practice that are outside of traditional settings. In every opportunity, you will learn and grow. It’s ok that you may not be familiar with the setting or tasks – believe in yourself and the knowledge that you possess.

If you can accomplish just one thing in your career, what would it be?

If there is one thing that I could accomplish in my career, I would want to be a strong advocate for both current pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technician graduates of the larger role we play in the community. Integrating pharmacy technicians into different non-traditional settings and being an advocate for expanding the scope of pharmacy technicians.