Jennifer Powell, CPhT, CHW, DCCC
Clinical Lead Pharmacy Technician
Gibbs Pharmacy
Lebanon, TN
Certification
Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
Number of Years at Organization
6
How long have you been practicing?
Six years
What are you most proud of in your professional career?
I'm most proud of the opportunities I've had to advance my practice as a technician, with additional certifications in areas such as point of care testing, immunizations, and my training as a Community Health Worker (CHW). That in particular, has played a huge role in the expansion of our pharmacy clinic and in the services we're able to provide for our patients, as well as how effectively we can help problem solve and come up with unique solutions to reduce gaps in healthcare inequities. I think it's created a space for a very unique role in community pharmacy practice for technicians and it's allowed me to help develop a unique team of technicians. I'm proud to have been a part of fostering that role and program in my workplace.
What is your most memorable experience as a pharmacy technician?
There are so many memorable moments I've had over the last six years, from leading community health education classes with our pharmacists and helping patients reduce their A1C, to teaching new technicians the ropes and watching those lightbulb moments when something clicks for them, to launching our new pharmacy clinic in April of 2025. I'd say one of my favorite memories is opening The Clinic at Gibbs Pharmacy, which houses all of our advanced clinical services, patient education, immunization and consultation-based services, and being able to see that project through from the first spark of an idea to having a whole new space for these services.
Why did you become certified?
I never intended to land in pharmacy, nor did I think it would turn into a career when one of my close friends first mentioned the position to me. But from my first interview and first time in the pharmacy, I was quickly fascinated with learning more and I saw the value in becoming certified to improve my knowledge and competency in pharmacy, especially since I would be spending a fair amount of time on the counter. I began studying for my certification prior to starting my new role and got certified as soon as I was able to. The knowledge and value earning that certification provided me with right away was incredibly worthwhile and helped me advance quickly. Before the end of my first year of employment, the pharmacy management team had already approached me with more specialized roles, such as taking on program management tasks for our annual off-site immunization clinics, which eventually developed to oversight of the whole immunization program.
What career advice do you have for others interested in becoming a Pharmacy Technician?
The old saying, "knowledge is power," always sticks out in my mind —by strengthening your knowledge with certifications and advanced trainings, you'll gain immense perspective and new skills that you can apply to so many different tasks and roles. So, stay curious, always seek to learn something new, get actively involved in organizations, and network with other technicians who support advancement and development for this role. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there, because your experience and knowledge is valuable to the profession.