Oh yeah, I just got hired as a tech and am expected to start working within the next few weeks after I get my state License. I will be receiving 40 hours of in – store training and a manual to study, but is there anything else I can be doing to make this a smoother process? I consider myself fairly intelligent, but this is my first venture into the world of pharmacy.
Any advice for an up-and-coming tech?
Thanks!
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Use Vaseline until your rectum can stretch to accommodation.
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Don’t be that person that hates being at the register, complains about it, or avoids it. You will win no friends.
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listen to your pharmacist and take notes
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Learn drug brand and generic names, pronounce them correctly, and basically know their uses. It will save you a trip to the pharmacist or other tech when a patient walks up and wants their “blood pressure medication” or only gives you the brand name.
Know the difference between a non-controlled/c6 drug, a c3-5 drug, and a c2 drug. Depending on what type of drug it is, a number of variables could change, such as wait times, delivery times, where the hard copy is stored, how many days early the script can be filled, whether or not the drug needs to be double counted, etc.
Try to learn some of your state’s pharmacy laws and how they may apply to you. In some states, technicians can take verbal prescriptions and transfers from other pharmacies over the phone or consult patients on OTC medications, but in some states only a pharmacist can do these things. Some states allow the sale of needles/syringes without prescription, some do not. Some states allow for multiple prescriptions to be written on the same hard copy, some do not. This will occasionally save you from a headache where you can immediately know what is and is not possible (if a patient asks to buy needles like they’ve done it there a thousand times when it isn’t legal in your state, or you see an rx with multiple drugs on it when your state doesn’t allow it).
Lastly, always pay attention. Many of the things you’ll need to know relevant to your job may be specific to your pharmacy or chain. You may need to learn how to use their software, or how to deal with bugs with their filling machine. Absorb as much as you can by watching others do it. Some insurance stuff you just have to “know,” like how lots of express script plans want you to leave off the letters in the beginning of the ID, or that some plans require a 3 digit person code at the end of the ID. You’ll learn that, just remember it when you ask someone to show you. Most importantly, pay attention when you’re dealing with people’s medications. Make sure you’ve got the name and date of birth right. Make sure you’re scanning the rx under the right patient. If you’re counting, particularly with controlled substances, don’t forget where you are halfway through your second count and assume it’s still 30. If the script says ER, don’t type it for DR. Make sure you’re not selling John K. Doe John W. Doe’s medication. Paying attention at the right times means the right person gets the right medication, in the right amounts, billed to the right insurance, because worst-case scenario, if they get the wrong stuff, they could become very ill or even die, best-case they could come back to the pharmacy screaming about how incompetent you all are. Just be careful.
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Get yourself some comfortable shoes. You will be on your feet all day.
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Take notes. I had one tech who took the liberty of printing off user guides for the computer system we use. She read them on her downtime or during quick breaks, it was really above and beyond, but she picked up the job quicker than any other tech I have worked with.
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Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, never make assumptions (always default to your pharmacist’s judgment), and smile through the pain.
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Get to know your customers and especially the regulars. I actually liked when people would specifically ask for me. People are so grateful that you have already prepared their medication and grabbed their pick up because you noticed them in line/coming in. Also if a person normally gets a script every month for something that’s expensive, difficult to keep in stock or is having that you have to partial or order altogether (suboxone is a good example), write on a calender when the person is due to get another script so you can have it ordered and be able to dispense the full amount.
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Always ask questions if you have any doubts, even if your co-workers or pharmacists seem pissy or put out by it. In the long run you’ll learn the ins and outs of you particular dispensary, and irritating others with questions is far better than fucking something up and having to take shit for it because you didn’t want to bother someone or seem un knowledgable. And just keep plugging away every differn’t pharmacy has it’s quirks and ways of doing things and the sooner you catch on the easier it will get. Best Wishes!!
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1) Take advantage of any and all learning opportunities. If you don’t know how to do something, don’t just pass the buck, ask a senior tech to show you how to do it the right way.
2) SIG Codes. Do you know what 1QIDOSPRN10D means? Probably not. But you can learn, and it’ll make your job a lot easier.
3) Get certified, even if you live in New York, Colorado or Pennsylvania. Certification will only open up future opportunities.
4) Keep busy. Where I work, there is almost more work that can be done. Whether it’s cleaning or filing or studying or ordering or stocking or faxing or organizing, find something that needs to be done and do it. It will make your time go faster and it’s a great way to learn, but most importantly, doing so without being asked will impress your coworkers.
5) Don’t take yourself too seriously. You’re a tech, not God.
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Get a date of birth. I don’t care if they’re you’re mother or even if it’s yourself. Please put a date of birth or make sure it’s on every single prescription you have. It’ll save you and everyone you work with some headaches.
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Have educational goals that will put you in a higher paying job/career field within the next 3-5 years.