Work patterns and uptake of continuing education in a two-year cohort of New Zealand pharmacy technicians

Abstract

Abstract Objective To investigate the current practice, continuing education uptake and future work intentions of pharmacy technicians in New Zealand. Method Postal questionnaire survey of all 148 technicians certificated through the Open Polytechnic of New Zealand who started training in 1991 and 1992. Responses were obtained from 83 (56 per cent) of the target population. Key findings While most technicians regularly performed the duties for which they had been trained, some were also performing more demanding tasks, such as unit dose dispensing and deliveries for rest homes. A smaller number were engaged in more managerial tasks while fewer still were working beyond the confines of their legally defined role by undertaking extemporaneous compounding and preparing Controlled Drugs. Many felt restricted within their current role and wished to see it extended. Perhaps for that reason, most had undertaken some form of continuing education/professional development, not all of them with the support of their pharmacist employer(s). Conclusions While pharmacy technicians' aspirations and activities might be perceived by some as threatening the traditional role of pharmacists, technicians could also assist pharmacists to move further from the dispensary into the new age of counselling and other forms of patient management and care.