Since I'm an aspiring Pharmacy student, I tend to hang out at the Pharmacy section over at the Student Doctor Network site. I happen to come upon a very long, very funny, but rather true to life thread about working in a Pharmacy.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=117497&highlight=pharmacy+tech+rants+stories
I assure you that you will DEFINITELY get a kick by reading some of the reply. The thread is old and it is buried among thousands of others thread. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Burned out.
I recall with my last entry that I was in the process of obtaining a hospital pharmacy tech job. Initially, I thought, 'great another entry on my resume and applications for pharmacy school as well as another source for really great recommendation'.
Well, I've been working for about a month now and let me tell you: Wow, I'm tired. It's not that the job is very demanding, its the 2 other jobs beside it that's killing me. Recall that I have a 9-5 and then a chain pharmacy job, which is only once a week now, thanks goodness. I barely have time for anything. On average it's about 4 nights a week that I'm at the hospital after work.
A small update for now.
Well, I've been working for about a month now and let me tell you: Wow, I'm tired. It's not that the job is very demanding, its the 2 other jobs beside it that's killing me. Recall that I have a 9-5 and then a chain pharmacy job, which is only once a week now, thanks goodness. I barely have time for anything. On average it's about 4 nights a week that I'm at the hospital after work.
A small update for now.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
A new adventure awaits...(Hospital Pharmacy)
I am proud to say that in 2 months from now, I have worked in retail Pharmacy as a technician for a year. It may only be a year, but I have learn so so much. It is time for me to look at the other side of Pharmacy -- mainly hospitals. Recently, I have signed up for the PTCB (May 17th) and am planning on passing it with ease. I haven't study yet. But as like for an undergraduate final, I'll probably study 1-2 nights before.
On a random day 2 weeks ago, I searched for Pharmacy techs openings in the many surrounding hospitals. I found a position which is about equally the same distance as from where I live to where my BIG-CHAIN-Pharmacy is located at. I began to fill out the applications and at the end it asked for 3 references! Well I wasn't prepare with any. So I just went "dammit, and x out the window" and forgot about it. The next day, while at work, I received a call from the Hospital recruiting department. Somehow that application did went through although uncompleted (I believed so). I have to take a pharm-calc like test before they would even grant and interview. This was 2 weeks ago and I took the test yesterday. Of course I GOT 100%! Hey,a Bachelors is good for something right.
I'm excited about this hospital position. First, I know I would get pay at least 1.5 to 2 times as much as I'm making now. Money wasn't an issue at first, just the experience was worth it. Secondly, I will now have networking with pharmacy professionals in a hospital environment. Go. Go. Letters of Recommendations! (Yeah, this year cycle is over. No more hopes. Will apply EARLY this time around)
I have an interview with the Pharmacy staffs in 2 weeks. Finger crossed.
P.S. The Angriest Pharmacist is credited for newly added picture. I got the link to the site via his blog. It's awesome!
On a random day 2 weeks ago, I searched for Pharmacy techs openings in the many surrounding hospitals. I found a position which is about equally the same distance as from where I live to where my BIG-CHAIN-Pharmacy is located at. I began to fill out the applications and at the end it asked for 3 references! Well I wasn't prepare with any. So I just went "dammit, and x out the window" and forgot about it. The next day, while at work, I received a call from the Hospital recruiting department. Somehow that application did went through although uncompleted (I believed so). I have to take a pharm-calc like test before they would even grant and interview. This was 2 weeks ago and I took the test yesterday. Of course I GOT 100%! Hey,a Bachelors is good for something right.
I'm excited about this hospital position. First, I know I would get pay at least 1.5 to 2 times as much as I'm making now. Money wasn't an issue at first, just the experience was worth it. Secondly, I will now have networking with pharmacy professionals in a hospital environment. Go. Go. Letters of Recommendations! (Yeah, this year cycle is over. No more hopes. Will apply EARLY this time around)
I have an interview with the Pharmacy staffs in 2 weeks. Finger crossed.
P.S. The Angriest Pharmacist is credited for newly added picture. I got the link to the site via his blog. It's awesome!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Why Rite Aid Sucks...
Okay, maybe not all Rite Aid sucks, just the one close to where I live.
You may probably concluded at this point that I don't work for Rite Aid. So why does the nearest pharmacy, which happens to be Rite Aid, sucks? Read on, I'll tell you why.
Today I went to the dentist for a root canal. Long story short, I was given two prescriptions. Rite Aid was down the street, not far from the dental office, so I went there. It is a 24-hour store and so I expected the service to be comparable to where I work. I hand the tech my scripts , gave my information and such. She then told me that the wait time is about 2 hours. I look around for quick moment. I'm the only customer at drop-off. I stare at pick-up and notice 3 people standing in line. There was no one sitting at the wait area.
First of all, at my store, we would have had it ready in 5 minutes, 10 tops given the same scenario. Even with multiples customer standing in line at drop-off, we can still do it in 15 min. Yeah, I know we're JUST THAT AWESOME!
So I figure I'll come back and stop by KFC across the street in 2 hours. I came back again with my buddy. I gave the tech my name and such. The tech proceeds to check their idiotic and funny looking filing system . He/she can't find it. Tech ask me to hold on. So I stood there with disgust while he/she checks the computer. GUESS WHAT! My prescription was still in the to-be-check-by-pharmacist basket. What the fuck. After 2 hours, it's still not ready. I would at least expected it to be completed 30 or so minutes after I left. There weren't anyone there waiting! She/he then ask me to wait a COUPLE minutes.
Now, at this point if it were the store I would work at. I would have banged this out and hurried the pharmacist to check it in 2-3 minutes since it was our fault.
NOPE! It took ~30 freaking minutes to verify and check 2 scripts. Worst of all, they (all the other techs including the pharmacist)weren't even hustling or bustling. Seriously, accuracy is crucial and all but I dropped it 2 hours ago. It wasn't anything out of the ordinary. It should be fucking READY TO GO. I don't know what kind of system Rite Aid have, but its fucking shitty as hell. Maybe it's just THAT store. I expect a 24-hour store to be much better than that. From what I can see, they have 3 techs and 1 pharmacist working at that time. They aren't understaffed.
On another note, the person at drop-off was SLOW AS HELL. I mean to go look for a person script and scan a couple of bar codes. This shouldn't take more than 2-3 minutes. I have to say that my average customer, (when I'm working pick-up) will be in and out in under 2 minutes providing there weren't any insurance problem.
I learned my lesson today. I'll never drop anything off there again. But if you must know why I didn't go to my store. It is because it's about half an hour away.
In conclusion: RITE AID SUCKS! (at least the one near me.)
P.S. I may be getting a job in a hospital soon! But sshhhhh, don't tell my Big-Chain-Pharmacy!
You may probably concluded at this point that I don't work for Rite Aid. So why does the nearest pharmacy, which happens to be Rite Aid, sucks? Read on, I'll tell you why.
Today I went to the dentist for a root canal. Long story short, I was given two prescriptions. Rite Aid was down the street, not far from the dental office, so I went there. It is a 24-hour store and so I expected the service to be comparable to where I work. I hand the tech my scripts , gave my information and such. She then told me that the wait time is about 2 hours. I look around for quick moment. I'm the only customer at drop-off. I stare at pick-up and notice 3 people standing in line. There was no one sitting at the wait area.
First of all, at my store, we would have had it ready in 5 minutes, 10 tops given the same scenario. Even with multiples customer standing in line at drop-off, we can still do it in 15 min. Yeah, I know we're JUST THAT AWESOME!
So I figure I'll come back and stop by KFC across the street in 2 hours. I came back again with my buddy. I gave the tech my name and such. The tech proceeds to check their idiotic and funny looking filing system . He/she can't find it. Tech ask me to hold on. So I stood there with disgust while he/she checks the computer. GUESS WHAT! My prescription was still in the to-be-check-by-pharmacist basket. What the fuck. After 2 hours, it's still not ready. I would at least expected it to be completed 30 or so minutes after I left. There weren't anyone there waiting! She/he then ask me to wait a COUPLE minutes.
Now, at this point if it were the store I would work at. I would have banged this out and hurried the pharmacist to check it in 2-3 minutes since it was our fault.
NOPE! It took ~30 freaking minutes to verify and check 2 scripts. Worst of all, they (all the other techs including the pharmacist)weren't even hustling or bustling. Seriously, accuracy is crucial and all but I dropped it 2 hours ago. It wasn't anything out of the ordinary. It should be fucking READY TO GO. I don't know what kind of system Rite Aid have, but its fucking shitty as hell. Maybe it's just THAT store. I expect a 24-hour store to be much better than that. From what I can see, they have 3 techs and 1 pharmacist working at that time. They aren't understaffed.
On another note, the person at drop-off was SLOW AS HELL. I mean to go look for a person script and scan a couple of bar codes. This shouldn't take more than 2-3 minutes. I have to say that my average customer, (when I'm working pick-up) will be in and out in under 2 minutes providing there weren't any insurance problem.
I learned my lesson today. I'll never drop anything off there again. But if you must know why I didn't go to my store. It is because it's about half an hour away.
In conclusion: RITE AID SUCKS! (at least the one near me.)
P.S. I may be getting a job in a hospital soon! But sshhhhh, don't tell my Big-Chain-Pharmacy!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
How to NOT get your pain medication filled...
Here's how you will not get your prescription for Narcotic painkillers filled.
Customer comes in and hand a script over at drop-off.
"Do y'all have brand name?"
Even before I even peek at what medication it was for, I heard those words. Of course, it was for << insert narcotic painkiller here >>. I proceeded to check customer's profile. Never been here before nor any other related stores.
Then I notice there weren't a DEA number on the script. Walked over to the pharmacist to confirm.
::A minute or so passes.::
"Sorry, we do not have the medication in stock."
::Customer walks off grumbling::
I hear a slight racial slur...that was the end of it.
Goodbye. Come again. In a Apusque tone. (From the Simpsons..)
Customer comes in and hand a script over at drop-off.
"Do y'all have brand name?"
Even before I even peek at what medication it was for, I heard those words. Of course, it was for << insert narcotic painkiller here >>. I proceeded to check customer's profile. Never been here before nor any other related stores.
Then I notice there weren't a DEA number on the script. Walked over to the pharmacist to confirm.
::A minute or so passes.::
"Sorry, we do not have the medication in stock."
::Customer walks off grumbling::
I hear a slight racial slur...that was the end of it.
Goodbye. Come again. In a Apusque tone. (From the Simpsons..)
Sunday, April 20, 2008
It's Either Yes or No to Cash Back!
How mindless can some people be. Either you want Cash back or you don't.
Rarely do you encounter a customer who have already decided to use plastic and thus have their card ready to go. The majority of the time; however, they'll have to dig it out of their wallet or really over sized purse/handbag. Once they manage to get it out, they'll spend at least 15-30 second figuring on how to insert it.
COME ON!. Credit/debit cards are so commonplace nowadays. Half of the people who uses it can't even figure out how to swipe the card. So what if their are different types of debit/credit card terminal. Just look at the fucking picture. It is there for a reason!
When I'm lucky [a hint of sarcasm] enough to work the cash register, I'll have to aide every other customer on using their credit/debit cards. They don't notice the simplified picture located right next to the insert. Once they manage to swipe it, I would still have to help them finish the transaction. Just fucking read the prompt. Look down and READ. Hit Cancel if you want to do credit. Enter your damn PIN if you want to do Debit. Don't fucking hit CANCEL and then bitch that you wanted to do DEBIT. FUCKING READ. Don't hit "Yes, I want Cash Back" if you DON'T really want it. You got 2 choices there. Yes or No. It's even colored in Green which is synonymous for "Yes/Go" and Red for "No/Stop". Two of the most common and easiest word in the ENGLISH language to comprephend. But somehow, they always pick the wrong one.
Now, why does this pisses me off? Simple. I like to herd people in and out of my line. I strive to provide the quickest service while maintaining accuracy on my drawer count. Hence, I really hate it when they can't use 0.000000001 % of their brain power to operate a simple Credit/Debit card processor/terminal. It just throw me off on my groove.
Rarely do you encounter a customer who have already decided to use plastic and thus have their card ready to go. The majority of the time; however, they'll have to dig it out of their wallet or really over sized purse/handbag. Once they manage to get it out, they'll spend at least 15-30 second figuring on how to insert it.
COME ON!. Credit/debit cards are so commonplace nowadays. Half of the people who uses it can't even figure out how to swipe the card. So what if their are different types of debit/credit card terminal. Just look at the fucking picture. It is there for a reason!
When I'm lucky [a hint of sarcasm] enough to work the cash register, I'll have to aide every other customer on using their credit/debit cards. They don't notice the simplified picture located right next to the insert. Once they manage to swipe it, I would still have to help them finish the transaction. Just fucking read the prompt. Look down and READ. Hit Cancel if you want to do credit. Enter your damn PIN if you want to do Debit. Don't fucking hit CANCEL and then bitch that you wanted to do DEBIT. FUCKING READ. Don't hit "Yes, I want Cash Back" if you DON'T really want it. You got 2 choices there. Yes or No. It's even colored in Green which is synonymous for "Yes/Go" and Red for "No/Stop". Two of the most common and easiest word in the ENGLISH language to comprephend. But somehow, they always pick the wrong one.
Now, why does this pisses me off? Simple. I like to herd people in and out of my line. I strive to provide the quickest service while maintaining accuracy on my drawer count. Hence, I really hate it when they can't use 0.000000001 % of their brain power to operate a simple Credit/Debit card processor/terminal. It just throw me off on my groove.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Well.. Do you want to wait 15 minutes? Or Come back in 1 Hour?
I just don't understand some people. Every time I'm about to finish entering a script into the system, I would estimated how long it would take for it to be filled based on the current volume. Usually, it will only take us 5-10 minutes from the point where I hit enter to it being finished being QA by the Pharmacist. Those that care about their script(s) would sit and wait. While others would say they'll be back to pick it up. Remember, it was either wait or 1 hour. I entered as so. As they are about to walk away they will undoubtedly say, "I'll be back in 20 minutes". WTF, I told them "15 minutes or less or 1 hour.
Sometime, it's slow and that's fine. No problem there. However, when it's really busy with 2 or more stacks of baskets piling up, it really pisses me off. It will just ruin the flow of production for me. Sure, it's a small thing you may say, BUT, they were given two fricking options.
Now, what is going to happen? The pharmacist will hand the script to the cashier on duty. He or she will not see "Waiting" on the label and won't call the name out. Even if they come back, they'll be waiting longer. If only they had say "Okay, 15 minutes", they would get their script in 15 min. I would probably be too busy dealing with phones and customers to know if their script is done or not.
Sometime, it's slow and that's fine. No problem there. However, when it's really busy with 2 or more stacks of baskets piling up, it really pisses me off. It will just ruin the flow of production for me. Sure, it's a small thing you may say, BUT, they were given two fricking options.
Now, what is going to happen? The pharmacist will hand the script to the cashier on duty. He or she will not see "Waiting" on the label and won't call the name out. Even if they come back, they'll be waiting longer. If only they had say "Okay, 15 minutes", they would get their script in 15 min. I would probably be too busy dealing with phones and customers to know if their script is done or not.
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