A qualitative exploration aimed to help inform potential creation of a nationwide pharmacy technician mentoring...

There is an increasingly recognized need for competent, self-efficacious, dutiful, resilient, and professionally engaged pharmacy technicians. It has also been established that pharmacy technicians desire further opportunities for development. Mentorship is recognized as an effective mechanism to promote such development.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate perceptions of key pharmacy technician leaders and educators about the prospects of a nationwide technician mentoring program, its potential benefits, cautions/limitations, and what the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) might do to help facilitate its success and/or oversee the program.

The research employed the use of 10 semi-structured interviews of pharmacy technician leaders from a list provided by PTCB. The interview schedule was informed by current mentorship literature. Thematic analysis principles were followed for conduct of the study, and saturation employed to determine the number of interviewees. Coding and thematic analysis was undertaken by two independent coders, applying codes to the transcripts separately using a shared codebook; after which the coders met to resolve discrepancies and identify and compare recurring themes.

Participants overwhelmingly supported creation of a formal program. Participants emphasized the importance of relational, individualized, "whole life" mentoring that accounts for personal and professional development. It was recommended that PTCB make a strong, unequivocal commitment to support the program, provide formal structure, serve as a clearinghouse of information, and take great care in matching mentors and mentees. Key barriers included time constraints, workload, and limited mentorship infrastructure.

Pharmacy technician leaders endorsed a formally structured, dyadic, whole person mentorship program that could be overseen by PTCB, who should be aware of potential pitfalls and give its full support to such a program that could enhance technician well-being and position PTCB further in its role of advocacy for the profession.