Episode 90 - Exploring Career Path Options with Ariel Lewis
CPhT Connect The Podcast with Mike Johnston, CPhT-Adv
Release Date: 12/10/2024
CPhT Connect The Podcast with Mike Johnston, CPhT-Adv
Welcome to another inspiring episode of CPhT Connect, the podcast for Pharmacy Technicians! Join host Mike Johnston as he sits down with Robyn, a dedicated pharmacy technician and educator, to discuss her unique career journey—from working in both independent and chain pharmacies to becoming an instructor shaping the next generation of pharmacy professionals. In this episode, Robyn shares the stark differences between independent and large-chain pharmacy settings, emphasizing the importance of patient care over transactional interactions. She highlights the challenges of working in a small...
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Welcome to a special episode of CPhT Connect, celebrating the 26th anniversary of the National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA)! Join co-hosts Mike Johnston and Ashleigh Smith as they take a deep dive into the origins and evolution of NPTA. In this episode, Mike steps into the guest seat as Ashleigh interviews him about the journey that led to the creation of NPTA. He shares how the idea first emerged from a pharmacy calculations seminar he hosted, where he saw a clear need for a dedicated voice for pharmacy technicians facing certification challenges. From overcoming early skepticism...
info_outlineCPhT Connect The Podcast with Mike Johnston, CPhT-Adv
Welcome to an inspiring episode of CPhT Connect, the podcast for Pharmacy Technicians! Join hosts Mike Johnston and Ashleigh Smith as they sit down with Chance O'Neal, a certified pharmacy technician, to discuss his remarkable journey from a career in graphic design to the pharmacy profession during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, Chance shares how he transitioned into the field of pharmacy, starting with a role at a long-term care pharmacy call center before ultimately finding his passion at an independent pharmacy. He discusses the rewarding aspects of patient interaction in...
info_outlineCPhT Connect The Podcast with Mike Johnston, CPhT-Adv
Welcome to an insightful episode of CPhT Connect, the podcast for Pharmacy Technicians! Join hosts Mike Johnston and Ashleigh Smith as they engage in a compelling discussion with Dr. Benjamin Jolley about the complexities of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and their impact on independent pharmacies. In this episode, Dr. Jolley defends the existence of PBMs in managing insurance payments but critiques the inherent conflicts of interest when PBMs also operate as pharmacies. He explains how this dual role can lead to unethical practices, such as steering patients toward their affiliated...
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Welcome to a year-end special of CPhT Connect, the podcast for Pharmacy Technicians! Join hosts Mike Johnston and Ashleigh Smith as they conclude the countdown of the Top 10 Pharmacy Stories of 2024, diving into the biggest headlines and their implications for the industry. #5 Compounding Pharmacy Lawsuits Over GLP-1 Medications Amid GLP-1 shortages, compounding pharmacies stepped in with affordable alternatives, sparking patent lawsuits from major manufacturers. The FDA’s shifting stance left patients and pharmacies caught in the chaos. #4 Independent Pharmacy Closures With five...
info_outlineCPhT Connect The Podcast with Mike Johnston, CPhT-Adv
Welcome to a special episode of CPhT Connect, the podcast for Pharmacy Technicians! Join hosts Mike Johnston and Ashleigh Smith as they kick off part one of the Top 10 Pharmacy Stories of 2024. This engaging episode explores the major headlines, trends, and controversies shaping the pharmacy world this year. Top 10 Pharmacy Stories of 2024 (Part 1) 10. Pharmacists Gain Expanded Prescriptive Authority All 50 states and DC now allow pharmacists to prescribe medications such as birth control, smoking cessation aids, and vaccines. The hosts discuss the benefits for patient...
info_outlineCPhT Connect The Podcast with Mike Johnston, CPhT-Adv
Welcome to this episode of CPhT Connect, the podcast for Pharmacy Technicians! In this inspiring installment, hosts Mike Johnston and Ashleigh Smith sit down with Ariel to discuss her incredible career journey, resilience, and the lessons learned along the way. This episode delves into Ariel’s experiences navigating challenging work environments, feeling "stuck" in her career, and the steps she took to break into her dream role as a 340B audit and compliance analyst. Ariel shares her story of perseverance, describing how she used transferable skills from her pharmacy background to...
info_outlineCPhT Connect The Podcast with Mike Johnston, CPhT-Adv
This week on CPhT Connect, Mike Johnston and Ashleigh Smith chat with six inspiring pharmacy technicians who are also crushing it as entrepreneurs! As we celebrate Small Business Saturday this year, we dive into the world of side hustles, exploring how these techs manage their time, balance their passions with their careers, and find success outside the pharmacy. You'll be inspired by their stories and get practical tips to turn your own side hustle dreams into reality. Meet the Featured Pharmacy Technicians: Michelle Reeser: Forza Equine, Providing MOBILE instruction to riders in western...
info_outlineCPhT Connect The Podcast with Mike Johnston, CPhT-Adv
Conference Highlights: Empowering Pharmacy Technicians to Level Up Join hosts Mike Johnston and Ashleigh Smith as they recap the incredible sessions from a recent pharmacy conference, highlighting how pharmacy technicians can elevate their skills and impact. The conference featured engaging sessions like Dr. Timothy Aungst’s exploration of AI’s role in pharmacy, balancing its opportunities and challenges, and Nichole Barnes’s insights into pharmacy informatics and its potential to drive better patient care. Dr. Marissa Mauricio broke down GLP-1 therapies, while Dr. Amanda DeMarzo tackled...
info_outlineCPhT Connect The Podcast with Mike Johnston, CPhT-Adv
Welcome to a special Halloween episode of CPhT Connect, the podcast for Pharmacy Technicians! Join hosts Mike Johnston and Ashleigh Smith as they explore the eerie and fascinating intersections of pharmacy history and the supernatural. This spooky episode dives into haunted pharmacy tales, from Dr. Duke's unsettling lab experiences to ghostly pharmacists said to linger in old apothecaries around the world. Listeners can enjoy a lighthearted “Witch’s Brew or Real Med Review” game, where Mike and Ashleigh test their knowledge of strange medicinal ingredients, including beaver castoreum,...
info_outlineWelcome to this episode of CPhT Connect, the podcast for Pharmacy Technicians! In this inspiring installment, hosts Mike Johnston and Ashleigh Smith sit down with Ariel to discuss her incredible career journey, resilience, and the lessons learned along the way.
This episode delves into Ariel’s experiences navigating challenging work environments, feeling "stuck" in her career, and the steps she took to break into her dream role as a 340B audit and compliance analyst. Ariel shares her story of perseverance, describing how she used transferable skills from her pharmacy background to explore adjacent career paths, and how networking and persistence ultimately opened the door to her current position.
Listeners will hear Ariel’s powerful message about the importance of mindset and intention, including her mantra to “do it scared,” inspired by a mentor during a particularly difficult period. She emphasizes the value of not comparing one’s journey to others, seeking mentors for guidance, and staying strong in the face of rejection, as well as the importance of recognizing that every step—no matter how small—is progress toward your goals.
In addition, Ariel and the hosts discuss common fears pharmacy technicians face when transitioning into new roles, the stigma around "job-hopping," and how Ariel reframed her career changes as part of her learning and growth process. This episode is packed with actionable advice for technicians who may feel stuck or uncertain about their next steps, including the reminder that there are always options and opportunities beyond traditional roles.
Don’t miss this uplifting conversation full of wisdom, courage, and real-world insights! Tune in now, and be sure to share your thoughts, feedback, or stories by reaching out to us at [email protected].