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A hospital pharmacy technician’s view

Andy Mason is a manager in the oncology pharmacy at Southampton General Hospital.

Recognition for a broad role

'A lot of people think we just take medicines off a shelf, but there's so much more to the role,' says Andy. 'There are new career progression opportunities opening up all the time, like the Accredited Checking Technician (ACT) course, which I completed in 2006.' Andy's role also includes contact with oncology patients. 'We show them around so that they can see where and how their medication is prepared. We’re also producing a poster for patients that sets out the steps involved in the pharmacy process.'

Andy believes that compulsory registration for pharmacy technicians will reflect the breadth of the role and give technicians the recognition they deserve: 'Proper registration and restricted title will enhance the status of the role.'

New learning and ideas

Andy supports the GPhC's plans to make continuing professional development (CPD) compulsory: 'A CPD folder is a good way of showing that you're taking your learning forward and demonstrating the range of your experience.' He supports the GPhC's plans for wide stakeholder consultation and hopes that pharmacy technicians will be involved. 'It would be good to involve a wide cross-section of age groups to stimulate new ideas.'