Impact of a Structured, Accredited Pharmacy Technician Education and Training Program on Workforce Retention

The role of the pharmacy technician has expanded substantially over the past 25 years, requiring increased specialization, formalized training, and competency assurance across diverse practice settings. As pharmacy technicians assume greater responsibility, health systems face growing challenges in recruiting and retaining a skilled technician workforce. Before 2017, staff in the Department of Pharmacy at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, relied primarily on on-the-job training, with limited standardization of training and variable opportunities for professional growth.