I came across the world of pharmacy staffing agencies and travel tech contracts. At first, I was hesitant. Could I quickly adjust to new facilities? Would I be okay with moving from city to city? However, such questions were soon followed by curiosity and excitement. Honestly, I took the plunge, and I’ve never regretted it. Finding My Niche IV Sterile Compounding You will usually find yourself characterized by a certain area for a pharmacy tech. The IV sterile compounding was for me. Along the way, I learned how to prepare sterile solutions for injection and the procedures that need to be done precisely. Training included USP < 797> and USP protocols, and I took the National IV Certification as my entrée to demandingly high and high pay assignments. Experience working in a cleanroom is a unique experience. Discipline, method- ical technique and deep focus are needed. I have made chemotherapy agents, TPN, antibiotics, and controlled substances, all under strict aseptic conditions. It is urgent, and it carries high stakes. This is what gives the work such a thrill. Hospital inpatient care, home infusion pharmacies, and even emergency deployment units were all avenues opened due to my IV skills. I would encour- age other techs to explore this niche not only because of the career opportunities but also because of the profes- sional growth. Credentials That Elevate Your Career The certification game is a must before you can break into travel pharmacy. Employers and staffing agencies will only place the best if you have a high-pressure, high-reward role. The certifications and licenses I acquired to be in the top tier of travel tech are below. • Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) – through PTCB • IV Sterile Compounding Certification – national and state-recognized programs • Texas State Board of Pharmacy License (TSBP) • BLS CPR Certification • Vaccination Records and Annual health Screenings, including TB tests, flu shots, and most recently, COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters. It was amazing when I started applying to staffing agencies and pairing it with this complete portfolio immediately helped me reach out to them immediately. These non-negotiables in the travel pharmacy world are your ticket to golden — they don’t change. Pros Tip: Additional tip: go for the multistate license. You can apply for licenses in states nearby or go for those with
many emergency contracts, like California, Florida, and Louisiana, where you will still be a first choice unless you opt for only Texas. Hitting the Road My First Travel Assignment My first job was in a well known Oncology Practice in Waco Texas. A new leadership was in place, and the pharmacy department was short-staffed and behind on IV compounding. I arrived at the hotel — a Hilton extended stay with all the amenities. My corporate travel card covered meals and incidentals, and my staffing rep set the site for my arrival. I brought my version of surreal to the latter, not just because of how one assumes such upscale treatment would feel, but because I was rap- idly asked to become part of a new team, process, and location. But I rose to the challenge. In 24 hours, I could familiarize myself with the CPR+ system, help batch scheduled Pre Meds, Mix Hazardous Drugs, Order/dis- pense new inventory and become valuable with no problem. That hooked me from then on. With the adren- aline, the learning curve, and just the sense of purpose, I The Power of Purpose During crises, I have often experi- enced some of my most memorable assignments. During hurricane season, I was in charge of a mobile hospital unit in a disaster-stricken zone with no local healthcare infrastructure. The pharmacy was in a converted school, and we worked around the clock to get patients the needed meds. The place was grit, urgency, teamwork, no frills, no booking chefs, no room service. I was also under a government first responder contract another time, had found the career path for me. Serving During Crises
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