Pharmacy Technicians: Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond: Exploring the evolving roles and future opportunities
This session uses findings from the 2023/24 Hospital Pharmacy in Canada Survey to examine how pharmacy technician roles are currently utilized and evolving in response to clinical complexity, workforce pressures, and technology, highlighting both core and emerging responsibilities. It also explores future opportunities, barriers to full scope utilization, and career development, connecting national insights to local practice through interactive discussion.
Learning objectives:
o Describe the current roles and responsibilities of pharmacy technicians in Canadian hospitals.
o Explain how technician roles are evolving in response to clinical complexity, workforce pressures, and technology.
o Identify key barriers and enablers to expanding technician scope of practice.
o Discuss future opportunities and career development pathways for pharmacy technicians and assistants.
About Bal Dhillon
Bal Dhillon brings over 25 years of experience in healthcare operations, education, and supply chain leadership, and holds an MBA, PMP, and multiple professional designations.
She currently serves as the Executive Director, Digital Supply Chain & Analytics at PHSA, where she leads drives procurement and supply chain transformation to improve efficiency and enable end-to-end digital integration for British Columbia.
Bal contributes nationally as Director of Education for the Pharmacy Technician Society of BC, a board member and published contributor to the Hospital Pharmacy in Canada Survey, and through roles with the Health Standards Organization, CSHP Foundation, and Respectful Workplace Resolution Team.
She is recognized for her strategic, data-driven leadership and commitment to building collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing teams.