Rafael Roman

Why I Do What I Do

For more than 15 years, I’ve been a pharmacy technician working for major retail pharmacy chains, New York Presbyterian: Cornell, and now at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). At each of these places I was very fortunate to have great trainers and mentors who provided a wealth of guidance and instilled in me values which have significantly helped in my career. As Training Coordinator for an institution such as MSKCC, I'm charged with training and educating pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy students with the same level of care and guidance I’ve experienced in my career.

Latest Accomplishment

My latest accomplishment is this feature for ASHP. From Pharmacy Clerk in Middletown, N.Y., in an after-school job in high school, to Training Coordinator of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, and now being featured on ASHP.com is something I could have never imagined 15 years ago when I unknowingly started my career.

Most Memorable Experience as a Pharmacy Technician

The most memorable experience was my time at New York Presbyterian: Cornell (NYP). Those five years felt more like an educational experience than a job. I started out as a part-time employee. With solely a retail background, and to maintain my part-time status, I worked one evening shift during the week and overnight shifts on Friday and Saturday while obtaining my undergraduate degree. It was during those overnight shifts that I gained most of my experience and knowledge about pharmacy. I was taught by some amazing pharmacists and studied anything relating to pharmacy with the most fantastic pharmacy interns at the time. When I look back on my career, it’s those overnight shifts that I cherish most and developed me into the pharmacy technician I am today.   

Why I Became Certified

I became PTCB-certified when I wanted to make the transition from working retail to a hospital system. At the time, no hospital would look at my resume without being certified, regardless of my five years' experience.  

My Passion Outside of Work

I’m Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer for two businesses in Newark, N.J. One of the businesses is a Sharespace and incubator that is devoted to helping multicultural women, men, and members of the LGBTQ community develop and grow their businesses.  

Latest Book Read

Star Trek Voyager: Architects of Infinity by Kirsten Beyer. I’m a huge Trekkie (i.e., Star Trek fan).

Advice to Up-and-Coming Technicians

• Your reputation and work ethic are what is going to advance you in your career.
• Learn everything you can about your respected field of pharmacy and even other fields of pharmacy.
• Going above and beyond what is asked of you and taking initiative in your pharmacy setting will set you up for success.
• Above all, never stop educating yourself or be ignorant to anything involving pharmacy.