Jessica Fulton

Why I Do What I Do

I have always had a love for helping people, but I didn't know a part-time summer job when I was a teenager would turn into a career! Being a technician is very rewarding and I've had years of wonderful experiences creating lasting friendships with co-workers and patients alike. I've worked in both retail and hospital settings, and now in education. Sharing my knowledge with others and watching them grow from students to colleagues is so rewarding.

Latest Accomplishment

Most recently my technician program underwent its initial accreditation visit with ASHP, which was very successful. A lot of work went into preparing for the visit, but it was a helpful tool for self-evaluation. We are just waiting on the final decision, but I'm confident it will be a good one!

Most Memorable Experience as a Pharmacy Technician

In 2004 Florida was hit with 3 major hurricanes within 2 months. These natural disasters put a huge strain on the business and left us without many of the resources we would have normally had. Despite no power or water for weeks, our pharmacy remained open (drive-through only) to serve our patients and ensure they had everything they needed. My store's location had a large elderly population so it was imperative for us to remain as operational as possible. It was a struggle, but knowing how thankful people were for us being there made it worthwhile.

Why I Became Certified

When I became certified in 2000, it was optional but also came with a monetary incentive so I decided to go for it! It has proved to be a great decision and opened many doors for me. The certification board is a great resource for technicians and allows us to stay current and in touch within our field.

My Passion Outside of Work

My favorite activity outside of work is spending time with family and friends at the beach or on the boat. Living in South Florida enables us to do these things almost year-round so we are very fortunate! My 11 year-old son keeps me on my toes and very busy, but being a mom is the best job ever!

Advice to Up-and-Coming Technicians

My advice to upcoming technicians, and my students, is to get involved. There are so many organizations out there for technicians to use to network. It makes the career that much more rewarding. As an educator, it is helpful to reach out to colleagues for ideas and support.