National Pharmacy Week Day 2 | Self-Care Strategies For Pharmacy Technicians To Prevent Burnout

Mental Health Strategies For Pharmacy Technicians

Self-Care Tips from Christa Clay, CPhT-Adv

Hi, my name is Christa Clay, (she/her), and I’m an Advanced Certified Pharmacy Technician through PTCB. We’re learning some great self-care strategies here today. And of course, when it comes to self-care, we all have our own preferences. We all know that it’s important and not every strategy is going to work best for every person. But I wanted to remind you and myself, that self-care isn’t always warm and fuzzy. 

Establishing & Enforcing Boundaries For Work/Life Balance

Sometimes self-care means establishing and enforcing boundaries for yourself, especially when it comes to work-life balance, because burnout, unfortunately, is a real risk. But it is something that we can try to prevent by working together. Most of us got into this profession because we wanted to deliver excellent health care to people when they need it. So while you’re out there doing that, I hope that you can enforce reasonable boundaries for yourself in the following ways. 

Take Break Times During The Work Day And Take Time Off

Take break times that you’re entitled to throughout your work day–to have something to eat, or to take a minute to rest. I hope that you’re able to use vacation or personal time, if you’re lucky enough to have it, even if it’s just to stay at home and live your life. And I hope that you’re able to encourage your colleagues to do the same, and to support them when they do.

I say all of these things, not because we need you to be fresh and ready because everybody else is depending on you, which they may be, but because you deserve this for yourself, regardless of other people’s needs. I want to thank you for being there in the pharmacy during this time, especially during this time, and I want to wish you a very happy pharmacy month. Thank you.

Self-Care Tips from Zachary Green, CPhT

Hi, everyone. I’m Zachary Green, a PTCB-certified pharmacy technician. First I want to say thank you for your valuable contribution to the healthcare team as we navigate a seemingly ever changing pandemic. Second, I want to emphasize the importance of self-care. 

Every day, we are tasked with making sure others have what they need, whether it’s from behind a pharmacy counter, over the phone, or in an IV room. No matter what our practice setting is, we are here for the patient. However, it is imperative to take care of ourselves because in order to be successful at what we do, we must first be in the best condition to do so. 

Miracle Morning For Starting Your Empowered Day

I start my day without any technology. I do about 30 minutes of yoga and 15 minutes of meditation. I make sure I’m not checking my emails or social media or anything like that as a way to start or finish my day. This way, I don’t start my day until I’m actually ready to. 

Deep Breathing & Mindfulness

I know meditation can sound intimidating, but even a quick couple minutes to just close your eyes, feel your back on the surface you’re lying on, or your feet on the floor where you’re standing, and a couple of deep breaths, thinking about nothing but where you’re standing or sitting and the sound of your breath can be enough. 

I also suggest adding this breathing practice at any point in the day where you might feel overwhelmed. Take a few moments to yourself, close your eyes and think about nothing but where you’re standing or sitting and the sound of your breath. When you have a clear mind, and are able to pause the world around you, no matter how short of a period of time that may be, focusing on that present moment where you are only breathing and simply existing has a lot of power. Thank you for everything you do. You got this.

Self-Care Tips from Arielle Clark, PharmD

Hi, everyone. My name is Arielle Clark, I’m a pharmacist and I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you how I incorporate my own self-care into my everyday life and hopefully encourage some of you to do the same. 

Unplugging To Recharge Your Battery

Self-care definitely looks different for everyone. For me what this looks like is that I spend 30 minutes every day, usually right before bed, completely unplugged, sitting down and reading a book. I have found that this not only sets me up to get a good night’s sleep but also just helps to refill me and rejuvenate my mental health so that I’m ready to take care of my patients the following day. 

I encourage each of you to find whatever self-care activity works for you and make it non-negotiable. Nobody else will make time for you to take care of yourself unless you do it first and make yourself a priority. You’re all doing a great job if no one has told you today. We’re all appreciative of all the health care workers who are on the frontline of this pandemic, especially in pharmacy. I just encourage each of you to find a self-care activity that you can make non-negotiable every single day so that you’re taking care of yourself so that you can take care of your patients.

Self-Care Tips from Verdina, CPhT – You’re Worth It! 

Hello, my name is Verdina and I’m a PTCB-certified pharmacy technician. I just want to say thank you to all the technicians out there working. Thank you for your time, your dedication and hard work, but always remember that self-care is very important and to make sure you take time for yourself. Thank you and keep up the good work.

A Thank You to Pharmacy Technicians – Tips from PTEC

Tips From Carrie

Hello, my name is Carrie Gibson and I am the president of PTEC, Pharmacy Technician Educators Council. Our board members would like to share their love and support for all of our pharmacy family’s mental health. My tip for mental health would be to get some vitamin D, put down what you’re doing, step outside, and soak up those rays. Make sure to make time for yourself. 

Tips From Stephanie

Hi, I’m Stephanie O’Brien, PTEC treasurer. Just want to say thank you for all that you do for pharmacy education and all of your students. I know it’s hard right now, but you got this! Keep going and don’t forget to give some time for yourself each day.

Tips From Sarah

Hi, this is Sarah Byers and I’m an event coordinator for the Pharmacy Technician Educators Council. I just wanted to say we are so grateful for everything that you do and all of the work that you put in. I know that this is an unprecedented pharmacy moment, so my tip for mental health is to communicate. If you don’t know how to communicate, a good thing to try is a game that I like to call “high low,” where you talk about the high point of your day, or the low point of your day. Or if you’d like, you can change it to the week, or the month or the year, something to get the conversation started. Any way that you do it is going to be helpful for you. I wish you all the best. And thank you for everything that you do.

Tips From Francesca

Hi, my name is Francesca. I’m a pharmacy technician and I’m also the Director of Member Services and Webmaster for PTEC. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, I wanted to talk to you guys about a tip for mental health that I actually use. If I’m ever having a day where maybe I’m in a funk or I’m dealing with something really stressful in my life. I like to just get out into nature, even if it’s just for a few minutes to get some sun, enjoy my surroundings and just let the environment take my stressors away. I hope this helps.

Best Wishes From Dr. Lawrence

Hi, this is Sarah Lawrence, Executive Director of the Pharmacy Technician Educators Council. And I’d like to wish all of my pharmacist and pharmacy technician friends a very happy Pharmacy Month.

Thank you again from PTEC for the dedication and care that you have provided for millions of people through this pandemic. We see you and support you. Please keep fighting the good fight. PTEC, thanks you, I thank you. 

Self-Care Ideas for Pharmacy Workers, National Pharmacy Week – Stephanie O’Brine, CPhT

Hi, my name is Stephanie O’Brine and I’m a pharmacy technician and an allied health instructor at Yakima Valley College and I want to say thank you essential health care workers with a special shout out to pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. 

Fill Your Tank – Doing Something For You

Thank you for taking care of our communities and my loved ones. With all that energy that you spend taking care of all of us, I hope you’re scheduling some time to take care of you. 

Being Outside Fills My Bucket

When my energy tank is dipping into low I know that’s when it’s time to schedule some time outside. Being outside brings my energy back into my work and I see it with new eyes. I encourage you to find that thing that fills you up and schedule some time to do it because you spend so much time taking care of us. 

Why Choose freeCE

It can be hard for pharmacy technicians to find online CE that is engaging, affordable, approved, and relevant to their needs. freeCE is the answer to that problem. 

At freeCE, pharmacy technicians are not an afterthought. We offer continuing education options that were specifically designed with pharmacy technicians in mind, including live webinars, on-demand courses, and PTCB-aligned specialty certificate training programs.

Sign up for a freeCE membership today to get CE that was made for you.