In this session, we will explore the evolving role of pharmacy technicians within elective orthopaedic services, emphasising how expanding their scope of practice can enhance patient care, improve operational efficiency, and support healthcare teams. With the growing demand post pandemic for orthopaedic procedures and the increasing complexity of medication management and patient co-morbidities, pharmacy technicians are uniquely positioned to take on more advanced responsibilities. In addition we will discuss how the support of pharmacists in the career progression of pharmacy technicians is vital and how we can evolve multi-disciplinary team working.
Learning outcomes:
Key discussion points will include: 
1) Scope of Practice: A review of the duties of pharmacy technicians in orthopaedic settings, including pre-operative clinics, ward-based work, education & service improvement.  
2) Opportunities for Expansion: Identifying new roles and responsibilities that pharmacy technicians can adopt, such as clinical screening within scope of practice, post-operative opioid stewardship, and collaborative working within MDT. 
3) Training and demonstration of competencies: The need for enhanced training programs and demonstration of competencies to equip pharmacy technicians with the necessary skills and knowledge to manage expanded role autonomously.  
4) Case Studies and Best Practices: Presentations of successful implementations where pharmacy technicians have been integrated into the orthopedic team, highlighting the positive impacts on patient outcomes and service efficiency. 
5) Regulatory and Policy Considerations: Discussion on the regulatory changes required to support the expanded scope of practice for pharmacy technicians and strategies to advocate for these changes nationally. 
6) Interprofessional Collaboration: Exploring the benefits of a collaborative approach among pharmacists, technicians, anesthetists, surgeons, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to ensure seamless patient care and optimise resource utilisation.