Today I am excited to introduce you to my good friend Josh. We actually met more than six years ago when both of us were working for a medical device company. It was the first industry position for both of us, and Josh started about 2 months before I did. We were both the new kids on the block, and we did a lot of learning and supporting each other.

Josh is a pharmacy technician with more than 15 years experience. He has worked retail pharmacy, outpatient clinic pharmacies, and hospital pharmacies, and now he is working in the medical device industry. Now he is going to give us a little bit of insight about his background and how he got to where he is now.

Can you tell us a little bit about your background in healthcare and what led you to pursue a career in this field?

Josh: I started as a retail clerk at one of the large four pharmacies when I was a teenager. One day when they were busy in the pharmacy, they pulled me to the back to help check people out and I asked them, can I even be back here? After some exposure to the pharmacy checking out patients, they offered to put me through school to become a pharmacy technician and I took advantage of that offer. I got certified as  a pharmacy technician with my PTC (Pharmacy Technician Certification through PTCB.org and started working in that same retail pharmacy. 

After several years, there was a large buyout, and I was selected to travel to different locations to help get them compliant to company policies. This was my first opportunity to travel for work.

After several more years, I was bored and burnt out. I was able to get a job at the local hospital in their outpatient infusion pharmacy mixing chemotherapy. Again, they offered to help cover the cost of certifications and I took advantage of that. I received certifications in sterile, non sterile and hazardous compounding through the  National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA).

Because of new regulations enacted regarding clean rooms and the handling of hazardous drugs, I was put in charge of researching safely devices that were required by USP 797 and 800 (guidelines for safe handling of hazardous drugs that are mandated by the US Pharmacopeia). I was speaking with a sales rep from one company, who mentioned that a pharmacy tech would be coming in to support us during the trial.

I stopped and clarified- your company hires pharmacy technicians to go and train clients? They said yes. I immediately turned around and looked at my manager, who just said, “see ya later”.

Within 6 months, I was hired as a trainer in that same company. I started at the bottom, but again, I took advantage of more certifications when they were offered, so now I have advanced certifications- product verification, hazardous drug storage and handling, and DEA compliance. I have moved up to a regional retention specialist role, giving me more control over my schedule.

The job has been great for me. My stress levels have definitely improved; I still have stress, but instead of stressing about messing up a drug that cost several thousand dollars, I now stress about whether I’m going to make my connecting flight.

How about financially? Has that improved as well?

Josh: My finances have changed dramatically since moving to industry. When I was first offered my new position, hospital HR offered me a pay increase to try and keep me. They were very upfront however that this raise would put me at the top of my pay scale, so there would be no where to go from there. It also upset me that they were going to increase my pay to the same rate as someone who had worked there for 30+ years. If felt so unfair and disloyal to those colleagues who had been so loyal to the hospital.

Switching to industry increased my pay by 100%. I was able to pay off all of my debts, move to a new location, and even buy a house! I never would have been able to buy a home on my hospital salary.

I can’t promise that would be the same for everyone, at every company. But it was absolutely my experience.

Were there any skills that transferred from working retail or in the hospital to industry?

Josh: Actually, I used to sell skin care products from an MLM. I learned how to sell, and I learned how to speak in front of an audience of people I didn’t know as an expert.

Speaking of side hustles, you have a really interesting one. Can you tell us more about it?

Josh: Sure! Shortly after I moved to my current home, I went onto LinkedIn and updated my certifications and location. One day I received a call from a pharmacist who was starting a business doing terminal cleanings in local pharmacies after hours. I ended up meeting with him to discuss it, and now I clean pharmacies several times a month in the evenings. I was his first employee, and since I had the clean room and industry expertise, I ended up meeting with a lot of pharmacy managers to recruit clients on his behalf.

What were the biggest challenges you faced when transitioning in your career?

Josh: You have to remember that you can’t know everything on the first day.

Here’s a funny story about you. During your first week with us, we were in a company meeting getting a presentation on a very technical and deep dive aspect of drug vials. I turned around and looked at you at one point, and you looked panicked, like you were wondering if it was too late to get your old job back. I leaned back and whispered, “ You don’t need to know this,” and you instantly relaxed. It was good information to know, but not 100% necessary for our job. You did learn it eventually, but you didn’t need to be an expert on your week.

Looking back, do you have any regrets?

Josh: I wish I had started earlier. No one tells you that positions like this exist though, I had to find out through talking with other people.

What kind of advice would you give to other pharmacy technicians considering a similar role?

Josh: My biggest tip is to always keep your LinkedIn profile updated. You never know when an opportunity will find you.

Take advantage of opportunities that come your way. Every time an employer offered to help pay for more certifications, I took it. Now I have advanced certifications and my position and pay reflect that.

Be creative when searching for jobs. My job was not listed as a “pharmacy technician”, it was listed as a “clinical application specialist”. You might consider looking up companies and searching all of their clinical roles listed to see what titles they use, then search those.

Be prepared to do a lot of travel. When I was first hired, I was on a plane Monday morning, and getting home late Thursday night most weeks. Again, this will depend on the company and the size of the territory you were assigned to. You might be in a territory where you don’t fly or stay overnight, but you spend a lot of time driving. If you have kids or pets that you can’t leave, this type of role might not be appropriate for you.

Can you tell us how to get started as a pharmacy technician?

Josh: Each state has their own regulations, so be sure to look up what your state’s requirements. Some require certification, some require registration or licensure, and some require both. You can also go to the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board’s website for for more information.

Conclusion

Josh’s journey from a retail pharmacy to the medical device industry illustrates the diverse opportunities available to pharmacy technicians. His story highlights the importance of seizing opportunities, continuing education, and being open to new paths. For those considering a similar transition, keeping your professional profiles updated and being proactive about certifications can open doors to rewarding careers beyond traditional pharmacy roles.

Related posts:

Clinical Application Specialists: A Career Path for Healthcare Technicians