Noah Rodriguez, CPhT
Certified Pharmacy Technician Instructor
The College of Health Care Professions
McAllen, TX
Certification
Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
Number of Years at Organization
Four years.
Why did you become a pharmacy technician?
In my family, there are only two career options: becoming a teacher or a healthcare worker. I decided to do both. As soon as I turned 18, I worked in a pharmacy for four years, until the opportunity came to become a pharmacy technician instructor. This was a scary opportunity as a 21-year-old, being asked to teach people older, younger, and the same age as me. I was nervous until I remembered how much I loved helping new technicians navigate and grow within the pharmacy, and I wanted to take the chance to do the same for others on a larger scale to pay it forward.
How long have you been practicing?
I worked in the pharmacy for 4 years, and I’ve been an instructor for 8 months.
What are you most proud of in your professional career?
I am most proud of the first group of students I helped pass their national exam. Each of my students had obstacles to overcome. I spent six months with my students, so we built a bond in which they felt comfortable coming to me for advice. After a long journey and many conversations of self-doubt and anxiety, all of them passed with exceptional scores. My students’ passing scores validated me, and I proved to myself that I was supposed to be an instructor.
What is your most memorable experience as a pharmacy technician?
When I was working in the field, the first week on the job was extremely tough, and I remember thinking, “I don’t belong here” and “I should quit.” That’s when two other technicians talked to me and made me feel like I belonged there. They never made me feel dumb or got tired of all the questions I asked. They are the reason I love helping people become pharmacy technicians.
What career advice do you have for others interested in becoming a Pharmacy Technician?
I have two pieces of advice. First, don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if you’ve already asked 100 other questions. Second, don’t let anyone tell you that you don’t belong. Instead, remember that every successful pharmacy technician was once new and uncertain, too. Be persistent, keep learning, and believe in your ability to grow and make a difference.