Lauren Johnson

How long have you been a technician? 

20 years

Reasons for Selecting this Career Path: 

When I graduated high school, I started working as a pharmacy technician at a local retail pharmacy. I honestly had no idea that I would love it so much. I really enjoyed helping patients with their medications, but I also found out how much I loved the challenge of complex problem resolution. I eventually moved from retail to the hospital outpatient setting, which really opened my eyes to how many opportunities existed out there in the world of pharmacy. I worked my way up to Pharmacy Billing Manager, and I couldn’t be happier. This path has allowed me to challenge myself, develop leadership skills, and broaden my understanding of the business side of pharmacy. Even though I spend most of my time working behind the scenes, I still have the opportunity to work directly with patients in helping them solve their complicated insurance problems and it brings me so much joy when I’m able to really make a difference in the life of a patient. 

Professional Interests:

My professional interest include: revenue cycle, revenue integrity, pharmacy legislative initiatives, PBM reform, Medicare billing, technician career ladder, third-party reconciliation, pharmacy finance, management, pharmacy systems, pharmacy assistance programs, and pharmacy contracting.

Interest in the PTF Executive Committee:

I am thrilled that pharmacy technicians have been able to get involved in so many ways. We have seen such progress for pharmacy technicians to be able to work at the top of their license, but I know there is still so much work to be done. I am eager to see how ASHP is able to help steer the conversation on ways that we can bring more visibility to the pharmacy technician career and expand how technicians can operate within the various pharmacy practice areas. 

Benefits of being involved in ASHP as a Pharmacy Technician?

ASHP has been a great resource. I have made connections with technicians at other organizations and have been able to collaborate with them on several issues that we were having. The access to high quality CE has been wonderful, and I really appreciate the variety of professional certificates that are available through the learning center. 

Fun Fact about yourself:

This question is always so hard for me because I feel like I must be a pretty boring person since I can’t ever think of an interesting fact about myself! I’m a rare native Nashvillian, proud mom of 3 girls and a miniature schnauzer named Elphaba, fan of Broadway (hence the dog named Elphaba), and everyone who knows me knows that I love all things Disney!

Email: lauren.johnson@vumc.org