Leadership Profile - Agnes Dominic, CPhT
November 7, 2012
Agnes Dominic, CPhT
ICHP Champion at University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System
Describe your current role as a technician and how it has changed over the years.
I am a nationally certified technician and have progressed in technician status from technician I to IV. When I first began working, I staffed in the satellite pharmacies where we prepared almost everything and all orders were hand- written. Currently, I work in staff development where I train all new employees (technicians, externs, clinical pharmacists). Training includes many things such as policies and procedures, crash carts/drug boxes, and certification for aseptic technique. In addition, I also help train and teach pharmacy rotation students.
I am responsible for the annual job specific competency validation that recertifies all pharmacy personnel by giving them written and practical tests on aseptic technique. I am also in charge of our pharmacy volunteer program. We currently have five volunteers in our program who are planning to apply for admission to pharmacy school.
How many years have you been at the University of Illinois Hospital (UIH)?
26 years
What made you decide to become a champion for the University of Illinois Hospital?
I was already helping the previous champion with various tasks related to the program. He was retiring and suggested that I take over his position. I decided that I liked what the program had offered and liked being involved in ICHP. I wanted to become the champion for UIH since I already knew the responsibilities and how the staff could benefit from what ICHP had to offer.
What responsibilities do you have as being a champion?
My main job is to post meeting announcements, membership applications, and other ICHP information. I also facilitate web-based conferences calls and other educational programming. Being a champion, I send the announcements by e-mail to the hospital pharmacy group and also post them in the conference room areas and send reminders about the program.
How long have you been a champion?
I have been the champion for UIH since July 2011.
What benefits are there for being a champion and member of ICHP?
Being a champion, I consider myself an extension of ICHP at my institution. Webinars are a convenient quality educational opportunity for members and for non-members and they are a great way to demonstrate what an ICHP membership can offer. In our facility, 95% of the technicians are certified. Pharmacists need continuing education credits to renew their licenses. In order to maintain the PTCB Certification, CPhTs also need 20 hours of CE every 2 years. Our department goal is to encourage those not certified to take the National Certification and to encourage certified technicians to maintain their certificates by sending them to CE programs. I believe that certification helps to enable pharmacy technicians to work more effectively with pharmacists.
What do you like about being a champion?
I like coordinating the in-house CE for the pharmacy staff. I enjoy the topics that are available through ICHP, and I have been able to learn a lot about different topics. This program is very accommodating and allows us to pick days and times when we would like to offer the CE to the department. We offer them during lunch time so it is convenient for the staff to attend.
What advice do you give others who are considering becoming a champion at their institution?
I would suggest that they become a champion. It is a great way to become more involved in ICHP. ICHP is receptive to your ideas and it is a great way to have a voice in pharmacy.
Do you have any hobbies outside of work?
Cooking – I like to try dishes at restaurants and then make them at home.
Do you have a favorite restaurant?
I love California Pizza Kitchen and Bonefish!
What is your favorite place to vacation?
I enjoy visiting Tampa, Florida because my grandchildren live there. I also enjoy traveling to India as my family lives there.
News » Public News »