Ceferino Ibarra III, CPhT
Instructor
The College of Health Care Professions
McAllen, TX
Certification
Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB)
Number of Years at Organization
3
Why did you become a pharmacy technician?
I became a pharmacy technician through a recommendation that it was a profession where I would thrive. I had drive and the passion to help others; therefore, I gave it a chance. I am glad I did because that one chance I took in something I was not familiar with changed my life forever.
How long have you been practicing?
I was a pharmacy technician working in an independent pharmacy for a little over eight years. Although I no longer work in a pharmacy, I now teach students and prepare them to become pharmacy technicians. It is a wonderful and rewarding experience.
What are you most proud of in your professional career?
I am most proud of the service I provided to my patients. I remember the countless smiles after they received my assistance. I made it a priority to approach my patients with the attentiveness I would want as a patient. I was determined to ensure that they trusted the pharmacy teams’ service and returned with the confidence that they would be taken care of.
What is your most memorable experience as a pharmacy technician?
One of my greatest memories was when I received a card written by a patient. Even in her later 90s, her penmanship was exquisite and her heart-felt words still mean so much to me. It is a story I share with every new cohort that I receive.
Why did you become certified?
I earned my certification as part of the process in the vocational school I attended. I prepared for the exam, passed and shortly after received my offer from the pharmacy.
What career advice do you have for others interested in becoming a Pharmacy Technician?
The greatest career advice I would give is the three things I share with my students before they apply for the career of their future. First, be patient. It may seem like an overwhelming process, but the knowledge will come. There will be technicians and pharmacists who already work well together. You will learn and immerse yourself in the team. It will happen. Just keep at it. Second, continue to build on your education. There is much to learn in pharmacy, but the education should not stop there. Prepare yourself for the future, build on yourself and you may be surprised when you receive your offer for a position as a pharmacist. Lastly, remember why you chose pharmacy in the first place. It will help during the difficult times in life. As a health care worker, I have learned that even when things may seem tough, the wins will always outweigh any negative experience that I have had. I would repeat it all again. I love being a pharmacy technician!