Samantha Bastow

Heather McCoy earned her Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) credential through PTCB in 2009 and later achieved advanced certification (CPhT-Adv) in 2020. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in university studies at Morehead State University in 2020 and earned her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Northern Kentucky University in 2024, specializing in healthcare management and business analytics. Heather recently obtained her Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification.

Current responsibilities:
Heather currently serves as a quality and compliance specialist, extracting data using various reporting skills, including SQL, Tableau Prep, and EHR reporting, for operational and research projects. She builds Tableau dashboards to help staff solve operational, business, and research challenges. In this role, Heather combines her expertise in data analytics with her pharmacy background to support decision-making and process improvements.

Describe the facility where you work:
UK Healthcare is a university-based teaching health system with over 1,000 beds. As part of the University of Kentucky, UK Healthcare combines clinical care, research, and education, serving a wide range of patients. The health system includes multiple hospitals and outpatient services, providing comprehensive care to thousands of patients annually.

What type of significant project have you been involved in recently?
I recently worked on various clinical dashboards that track patient volumes and provide flags for potential care action items related to anticoagulation, antiarrhythmic, and HIV therapies. These dashboards also deliver performance and productivity data to enhance clinical decision-making. Additionally, I have provided data support for research projects, including pharmacist-led GLP-1 clinics, and conducted research exploring productivity and wellbeing among Specialty Pharmacy staff based on worksite (work from home/work from office).

What kind of advice would you provide for someone new to your specialty area?
I advise those new to the field of data analytics to focus on finding on-demand programs and training resources that allow for self-paced learning. I’d like to emphasize the importance of applying newly acquired skills regularly to solidify understanding, as I did by utilizing SQL and Tableau training in my previous role as a compliance coordinator. I encourage newcomers to remain persistent, continue learning, and take opportunities to apply their knowledge in real-world settings. Lastly, put yourself out there and gain experience, as it is key to growth and success in the field.

What is your current involvement with ASHP?
I have been a member of ASHP since 2019 and am currently an active participant in the Data Analytics Section Advisory Group (SAG) in the Section of Pharmacy Informatics and Technology. As part of the SAG, I am working on a pharmacy analytics governance and oversight webinar. Additionally, I have presented posters and pearls at previous ASHP Summer and Pharmacy Futures meetings, sharing my expertise in pharmacy data analytics and contributing to the ongoing development of the field.

Why did you become involved in ASHP?
I became involved in ASHP because I recognized that finding professional avenues for pharmacy technicians to engage in beyond their day-to-day work can be challenging. ASHP's continued growth and support for pharmacy technicians provided me with the opportunity to be involved in projects and development that I otherwise might not have had access to, allowing me to contribute to the advancement of the profession.

How would you explain the value of ASHP to a friend or colleague?
I would highlight ASHP as a great resource for connecting with other professionals and addressing challenges encountered in daily work. ASHP offers invaluable resources for personal and professional growth, providing opportunities to expand beyond current roles and contribute to the advancement of the pharmacy field.

What is the value of ASHP for the profession?
I believe the value of ASHP for the profession lies in its ability to provide avenues for technician professional growth. As ASHP continues to support and develop the roles of pharmacy technicians, I expect to see the launch of more advanced roles within the field, driving further progress and enhancing the impact of technicians in healthcare settings.