­CAPhO Conference 2026

From Basics to Building Confidence: Oncology Skills for Pharmacy Technicians

From Basics to Building Confidence: Oncology Skills for Pharmacy Technicians Workshop took place at TCU Place on Thursday, April 23, 2026.

Workshop Learning Objectives

By the end of this workshop, participants were able to:

1. Describe the fundamental characteristics of cancer, differentiate common cancer types, and summarize the key categories of oncology treatments.
2. Explain the role of the pharmacy technician in identifying, mitigating, and safely managing oncology drug shortages.
3. Apply safe handling, preparation, and dispensing principles to oral oncology medications in accordance with relevant guidelines.
4. Identify strategies to support career development, expand scope of practice, and build professional confidence as a pharmacy technician.
5. Demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills by assessing and responding to simulated oncology pharmacy scenarios.

The workshop consists of the following five sections:

Oncology 101: Understanding Cancer and Its Treatments

Cancer is a generic term encompassing over 100 diseases. This presentation took participants back to basics, briefly reviewing the biology of cancer and what is meant by common terms such as malignancy, staging, and adjuvant versus palliative. Broad categories of pharmacotherapies include chemotherapy, targeted therapies and immunotherapies will be discussed, highlighting when each might be beneficial to treat the patients we care for every day. 

Learning objectives: 
At the end of this presentation, participants were able to:
1. List the fundamental characteristics of cancer
2. Understand the different treatment approaches required for hematologic cancers and solid tumors 
3. Describe how the cancer stage affects treatment goals
4. Broadly classify various cancer treatments as chemotherapy, targeted or immunotherapy

The Impact and Management of Oncology Drug Shortages

In this presentation, participants learned common causes of both short term and long term drug shortages, and the impacts these have on patients and the pharmacy workflow. Pharmacy technicians understood the role they play to help mitigate these shortages at a facility level as well as roles at a provincial/health authority level. The workshop covered safety considerations when choosing suitable alternatives during drug shortages. 

Learning objectives: 
At the end of this presentation, participants were able to:
1.  Identify common causes and consequences of oncology drug shortages.
2. Describe the steps a pharmacy technician can take to support drug shortage mitigation.
3. Understand safety considerations when preparing or substituting alternative formulations during shortage.

The Pharmacy Technician’s Role in Dispensing and Safe Handling of Oral Oncology Medications 

Pharmacy technicians maintain a very important role in the dispensing and safe handling of oral oncology medications. They help with dispensing of all classes of medications from supportive, cytotoxic and non-hazardous medications. Pharmacy technicians help mitigate risk and exposure to their patients and their families by always practicing these safe handling techniques. Ongoing and continuing education for each patient is key in helping to emphasize the importance of safe handling; which in turn helps with compliance and medication adherence. 

Learning Objectives:
At the end of this presentation, participants were able to:
1. List the most common oral oncology agents
2. Describe safe handling and storage of oral oncology agents
3. Outline best practices for packaging and dispensing of oral oncology agents
4. Understand patient safety and best practices for medication adherence

Power Up Your Potential: Professional Development and Building Confidence for Pharmacy Technicians

This presentation focused on building a foundation for professional growth and long-term career development as a pharmacy technician. It began by identifying key focus areas that enhance performance and align with interest areas. The presentation explored various methods and resources that support continuous professional development, including training, feedback, and self-directed learning. It also outlined the importance of creating a personalized career growth plan with clear, achievable goals and realistic timelines. Finally, the presentation highlighted confidence-building strategies and how integrating them into professional behavior can strengthen potential, improve workplace effectiveness, and support ongoing success.

Learning Objectives:
At the end of this presentation, participants were able to:
1. Identify key areas for professional growth that support improved performance and long-term career development.
2. Identify a range of methods and resources that support ongoing professional development.
3. Develop a personalized career growth action plan with clear goals and timelines.
4. Integrate confidence building approaches into professional behavior to enhance career potential.

Applied Decision Making for Oncology Pharmacy Technicians. Real Life Scenarios: What Would You Do?

This interactive session used real life oncology pharmacy scenarios to strengthen decision making skills in high-risk, fast paced environments. Participants reviewed common and complex situations involving hazardous drug handling, workflow interruptions, communication challenges, and patient safety risks. Through guided discussion and “what would you do?” scenarios, technicians practiced applying guidelines, professional judgement, and escalation pathways to support safe and effective oncology pharmacy practice. 

Learning Objectives:
At the end of this presentation, participants were able to:
1. Strengthen decision making in high-risk oncology pharmacy scenarios
2. Apply NAPRA Standards for Pharmacy Compounding of Hazardous Sterile Preparations to real world situations to inform appropriate actions
3. Recognize common error prone steps
4. Increase confidence in speaking up, stopping work, and preventing errors