Often the unseen and unsung heroes in hospitals, World Pharmacy Technicians Day is an opportunity to celebrate their invaluable contribution and recognise their essential role in ensuring safe, effective and compassionate care for patients both in hospital and in the community.
Pharmacy Technicians play a key role across Pharmacy services, working alongside Pharmacists and a hospital’s wider healthcare team, to support the safe and effective use of medicines. Their work helps ensure patients receive the right medicines, at the right time, while supporting the delivery of efficient and patient-focused services.
With his role in Aseptics, Declan Curran explained how he and the team, “Make Chemotherapy for patients and TPN (Total Parental Nutrition) which is for patients who are in intensive care who get their nutrition from the bags that we make up.
“As a Pharmacy Technician in this area it is very rewarding. I have family and friends that receive treatment in this hospital and I can and have seen first-hand, personally how it changes their lives.”
Ulster Hospital Pharmacy Technician Gemma Herron said, “I first started at the Hospital four years ago when I started as an Assistant Technical Officer (ATO) and I applied for the Student Technician Course and then following that became a Pharmacy Technician. There is great progression in the Ulster Hospital, I came in as Band Two and now I am a Band Four with the possibility to progress to a Band Five and Six as a Pharmacy Technician.
“I worked in Community Pharmacy before I came to the Hospital, I think this role is great for all ages. I love my job as I work as part of a Multi-Disciplinary Team, I work with Nurses, Doctors and I get to talk to patients. It is very rewarding to be on the wards as you do get to do some dispensing and see the patient going home at the end is a way to see the full journey. Behind the scenes but still be part of the patient’s journey. “
Gemma’s colleague and fellow Technician Emma Young added, “I also worked in Community Pharmacy and have been here at the Ulster Hospital since February.
“Everyday is a different day here at the Ulster Hospital which I love. Moving from Community Pharmacy into a hospital setting has been a great opportunity to learn new skills and gain a better understanding of how Pharmacy supports patient care within the hospital.
“My role involves working as part of the Pharmacy Team to ensure patients receive their medication safely and effectively.
“There are so many different opportunities, I am really proud of what I do and I am proud to work at the Ulster Hospital and celebrate World Pharmacy Technician Day!”