Technician Corner

TECHNICIAN SPOTLIGHT: KELLY ANDERSEN

Kelly Andersen’s pharmacy journey began during her freshman year at Simpson College in Indianola. She was considering a major in biochemistry and met with her advisor about potential careers and education paths. Pharmacy came up in the discussion, and she learned she could become a pharmacy technician while in school. Kelly took that opportunity in stride and started gaining work experience as a PRN pharmacy technician at MercyOne Hospital in 2000.

Since then, she has worked a diverse set of roles, including as a pharmacy trainer, third-party audit coordinator and pharmacy central scheduling coordinator with Hy-Vee, as well as a prior authorization technician with CatalystRx. Currently, Kelly is the administrative assistant for MercyOne’s Pharmacy Department.

While the concept of work-life balance in the profession of pharmacy may inspire nervous laughter (especially with the added stress and workload of the pandemic), Kelly still finds time to enjoy her hobbies of camping, hiking, and canoeing with friends. She also enjoys relaxing and connecting with her family, whether it be her dog, Jax, her cat, Emery, or the rest of her extended family that live in town, including her parents, brother and sister-in-law, and her two nieces. She loves spending time with her family and feels blessed to have them so close.

Kelly’s roles and responsibilities have evolved since her first pharmacy job in 2000. In her current role, she supports a great team of managers and staff across both MercyOne Hospitals in Des Moines and West Des Moines. Her responsibilities are not limited to the hospitals; she also assists with the three MercyOne outpatient pharmacies in Ankeny, Clive and Des Moines. Kelly says the most rewarding part of her job is knowing that every day she is a source of knowledge within her department, and, alongside her team, she is working to directly improve patient care. She notes the most challenging part of her job has been the 340B process and auditing. She compares this challenge to a very big puzzle – requiring multiple pieces, many people and a lot of time to make it work.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kelly has learned a lot about adaptability. She states, “The ability to change direction on a moment's notice is the only way to survive and move forward in the healthcare industry.” Especially in her current role, Kelly recognizes how the pandemic has affected pharmacy on all levels, from staffing to the availability of patient services. Even in the face of these challenges, she looks forward towards the future of the profession.

Kelly envisions a future with numerous changes to the role of pharmacy technicians. She hopes that more companies develop career ladder programs to support changes in the pharmacy technician's role. Kelly also believes in IPA's role to direct change. She looks to IPA to continue giving healthcare professionals events and opportunities to connect, network and share information. She feels the ever-growing speed at which things in healthcare change will increase the need for pharmacy professionals across practice settings to share information about processes that work (or don’t work) so that we can continue to provide the best possible care to patients every day.

Thank you, Kelly, for all you do in serving your patients and profession! ■ Kelly Andersen

Administrative Coordinator, Pharmacy Department, MercyOne Des Moines

MEMBER TIP: Make Note of License Renewal and Recertification Deadlines!

PHARMACISTS: The Board of Pharmacy sends a license renewal notice via email to each licensee 60 days prior to license expiration. Licenses at the end of their 2-year renewal period will expire June 30th. Failure to renew before July 1st following expiration will cost an additional fee.

TECHNICIANS: On May 12, 2021, the Board of Pharmacy began converting registration expiration dates to the date that the technician’s national certification expires. Previously, the registration expired on the last day of the birth month of the registrant every two years. The updated registration period is valid for 2 years.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit pharmacy.iowa.gov

HIV TESTING & THE ROLE OF THE TECHNICIAN

From IPA’s Nov. 2021 Tech Tidbits

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is an autoimmune disease which attacks the cells of the body’s immune system. Pharmacy technicians have the potential to play a significant role in the treatment journey of HIV patients. As increased HIV testing in pharmacies continues, technicians can encourage proper care of HIV patients, make sure patients feel comfortable asking questions about the disease and their medications, and help end the stigma associated with HIV.

HIV-related stigma includes negative attitudes or beliefs about people with the disease, and it can affect an individual's emotional well-being as well as their treatment. Many times, this kind of discrimination can steer people away from telling their loved ones they have HIV or even seeking the medical help they need. It is important to know that anyone can contract HIV, and although it can be a difficult disease, there have been many medical advancements making it more manageable. Although HIV does not have a known cure, there are therapy options. Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) reduces the viral load of HIV and slows the progression of the disease. There are also therapies such as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) which can stop the spread and protect those who may have come in contact with someone who has HIV.

Currently, there is a push for pharmacists to have the ability to test for HIV in the pharmacy. Pilot programs have already begun in various pharmacies across the state of Iowa, which will lead to increased access to testing. More patients may come to pharmacies to get tested for HIV or ask HIV-related questions. Often the first face in the pharmacy, technicians can play an important role in making sure patients are comfortable coming to the pharmacy and asking for help.

SOURCES: 1. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/how-stigma-unconsciousbias-impacts-health-outcomes-for-patients-seeking-using-prep-forhiv-prevention 2. https://idph.iowa.gov/Portals/1/userfiles/40/Final_2020_Fact%20 Sheet_HIV%20in%20Iowa.pdf

NEWLY CERTIFIED IOWA TECHNICIANS

OCTOBER 1 – DECEMBER 31, 2021

Congratulations to the following pharmacy technicians on becoming PTCB-certified!

Ayishah Armstrong Ashlyn Bahnsen Nicole Balk Jaidyn Ballard Claire Baudler Sangdao Bixby Shelby Boston Elyss Brackett Christina Burns Nyah Chamberlain Sereena Cheney Jennifer Clarke Sarah Conrad Lakrista Corder Riley Crabtree Austin Craig Emma Crossett Margaret Cullum Natalie Cunningham Brittney Davis Sophia Dehl Madison Doak Preston Edmonds Victoria Eichenberger Alia Elmakki Travis Errthum Katherine Fischer Teresa Fisher Marchelle Flood Erin Foster Dusty Freeman Angela Goodrick Jenah Greiner LeAnn Guntren Tyler Halsey Amber Hamel Taylor Hays Angela Helton Michelle Herch Nayeli Hernandez-Lopez Jordan Hobbs Kellie Holub Jennifer Hongphao Merica Hornback Shelby Hulsebus Kelsey Ihns Svetlana Ilnitsky Elizabeth Joakim Mica Johnson Alyssa Kafer Laurel Kelly Laurel Kimber Kathleen Kwiatkowski Anne Laakso Courtney Lewis Isabel Libke Kayla Limberg Jon Loeschen Madison Mann Quinntessa Kinney Sally McDonald Erica Metz Kelly Miller Mouiz Mohammed Jessica Monroe Maggie Murphy Marina Nagib Theresa Nelson Richelle Nodland Connie Pa Amber Peterson Bradley Pickhinke

Marissa Poe Taylor Porter Rebecca Rhodes Lacey Ricardes Sharon Roberg Adelle Rogers Rocio Romero-Ramirez Amber Rose Anna Roshek Elise Rouse Gabriela Saez Chelsea Sanders Nathaniel Santos Hannah Schmitt Natalie Schmitz Sarah Schwien Madison See Fallon Shakespeare Heather Shook Jared Simon Grace Stackhouse Christina Stuerman Mallory Suhr Larson Emma Sullivan Kristen Sumpter Selena Sykes Andrew Thomas Angela Trembly Thomas Tungett Cadence Vivian Nicholas Watters Kaylee Weaver Alyssa Wiley Alexa Winkel Zoe Yolish

TYPES OF COVID-19 TESTING

From IPA’s Dec. 2021 Tech Tidbits

It is important to understand the differences between the types of COVID-19 tests available, what they detect, and how they can be used for different testing activities. There are two different types of coronavirus tests: diagnostic tests and antibody tests.

An antibody test looks for antibodies that are made by the immune system in response to a threat, such as a specific virus. Antibodies can help fight infections but can take several days or weeks to develop after being infected. They may stay in the blood for several weeks after recovery. These tests are also known as serological tests, and the sample is taken by finger stick or blood draw.

The other type of test, a diagnostic test, can show if there is an active coronavirus infection. If positive, one should take steps to quarantine or isolate from others. Currently there are two types of diagnostic tests, molecular (RT-PCR) and antigen tests.

MOLECULAR TESTS

Molecular (RT-PCR) tests detect the virus’ genetic material. It can be collected by nasal, throat swab or saliva.

ADVANTAGES:

• Positive and negative results are typically accurate • Highly specific and sensitive

DISADVANTAGES:

• Often requires a laboratory to process the specimen • Takes longer to generate results

ANTIGEN TESTS

Antigen tests detect specific proteins on the surface of the virus. It can be collected by nasal or throat swab.

ADVANTAGES:

• Available at point-of-care • Results available quickly • Positive results are typically accurate (highly specific) • Low cost

DISADVANTAGES:

• Negative results may not be accurate (less sensitive) • May need to confirm a negative result with a molecular test

SOURCES: 1. https://aphanet.pharmacist.com/sites/default/files/audience/APhACOVID-19TestingBasics1120_web.pdf 2. https://aphanet.pharmacist.com/sites/default/files/audience/APhACOVID-19AuthoritytoTest1120_web.pdf 3. https://www.fda.gov/media/138094/download