April 21, 2025

Tell us about your career goals.

I wanted to do something in healthcare, but I didn’t feel ready to move into a role that required direct patient care. After exploring different career paths, I discovered the pharmacy technician role and decided to enroll in a training program—the best decision I ever made. I knew on the very first day that this was the right path for me.

My journey has been incredible, and I am now the Lead Technician in the Oncology IV space, where I have the privilege of caring for our nation’s veterans every day at the Richmond VA Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia. My ultimate goal is to step into a leadership role where I can mentor new technicians and further advocate for the pharmacy technician profession.

How have PTCB’s certificates helped you?

When PTCB released the CSPT Certification several years ago, I immediately jumped at the opportunity—not only to grow further in my career, but also to demonstrate my dedication to patient safety in the sterile compounding space.

Since then, I’ve earned several additional Assessment-Based Certificates to expand my skills in other areas of pharmacy. Each one has helped me strengthen my knowledge and stay focused on providing excellent patient care. I plan to continue building on this foundation as I work toward my long-term goal of becoming a well-rounded, experienced pharmacy technician leader.

What advice would you give pharmacy technicians as they explore their unique career paths?

My advice to other pharmacy technicians exploring their own unique paths is to never stop investing in yourself and to always stay open to learning new things. Stay curious. Lean into new challenges. Network with your peers, both near and far.

Our profession is expanding in ways I couldn’t have imagined when I first became certified ten years ago. There are technicians immunizing, working in data analyst roles, serving on state boards of pharmacy, and the list goes on. PTCB Certificates can be a powerful tool to help you stand out and pursue new opportunities with confidence.

What challenges have you faced in your journey as a pharmacy technician?

I would call myself an extroverted introvert, because I’m super outgoing (and admittedly a bit of a class clown) in small groups of people I know and feel comfortable with. But in larger audiences, I tend to be quieter and fade into the background. This has been a barrier for me when it comes to networking with other pharmacy professionals; however, I’m learning to overcome these feelings by joining state and national professional organizations and building relationships beyond my immediate circle.

What I’m discovering is that many of us in the field share similar challenges, and we’re all looking for ways to improve and advocate for our profession. PTCB credentials give pharmacy technicians a valuable opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to patient care and support the continued growth of the profession.

View David’s Digital Badges

Meet More Trek Navigators