Abstract

OPTIMIZATION OF A CERTIFIED PHARMACY TECHNICIAN TO EXPAND CLINICAL PHARMACIST SERVICES IN AN ANTICOAGULATION CLINIC: AN ENCOURAGING CASE REPORT

Allison M. Dering-Anderson Pharm D.*, Andrew Stoecklein Pharm D. Candidate and Margaret L. Hitzeman Pharm D.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To improve efficiencies and care in an ambulatory anticoagulation clinic by incorporating an advanced pharmacy technician onto the pharmacy team. Methods: Creation of a new workflow and responsibilities to allow board certified clinical pharmacists to focus their time on patients needing a pharmacist’s intervention. Patient contacts were tracked over 10 months during 2019. Results: As anticipated, the number of patient contacts made by the advanced pharmacy technician increased from February to November 2019. Pharmacist work-load shifted toward more complex patients and other clinical duties. Discussion: Unexpected benefits include: increased participation by clinical pharmacists in providing experiential guidance to pharmacist interns and increased participation in activities of the College of Pharmacy. Pharmacy technician job satisfaction also improved, to the point where she has volunteered to present to the State Pharmacists Association’s Technician network.

Keywords: Clinical Pharmacist, Advanced Pharmacy Technician, Anticoagulation, Pharmacist-extender.