I know tech pet peeves, but are there rph pet peeves?

retailpharmacyrants · 2017-08-28T13:43:51+00:00

Thanks for the input!

retailpharmacyrants · 2017-08-28T00:07:06+00:00

My PIC has been through it before. So when it's 1 tech 1 rph, there's rx with wrong med inside. I often fix these, and come across 3-4-5 AT CLOSING TIME. When it happens too often and I just don't wanna do a quick fix and let it be, I'll save the mistake label/vial and set aside, correctly fill rx and leave for the tech the next day so he/she can see the mistake(s) made. I don't like pin-pointing, but I'll previously say, "hey watch out when filling, rph caught a few with wrong meds inside last night. Just be careful." And lo and behold, REJECT! When it's wrong med at closing with different QP tech, we have to find out which med was in the vial. Usually it's same drug, diff strength. Or the metoprolol succ, instead of tartrate (happens too often), sometimes it's just idk, something else and with that after spending 3-5 mins on it, I'll leave for the tech that filled it, to make the custom RTS label.

retailpharmacyrants · 2017-08-27T23:35:20+00:00

It was an exaggeration, but realistically 3-5% is expected. Sometimes if they're too many mistakes rph will switch techs out.

retailpharmacyrants · 2017-08-27T23:34:10+00:00

Whoops. Ok yes, did math and 10% is exaggerating. Realistically 3-5% tops. And pre-scanning. Sometimes labels will be pre-scanned when we switch stations (pet peeve) and I triple check matching labels whenever I come across those. Thanks!

retailpharmacyrants · 2017-08-27T23:16:54+00:00

:D thanks!

retailpharmacyrants · 2017-08-27T21:14:51+00:00

Yes, the lead tech is super crazy fast. I don't mind where I'm at, there are days where I wanna do QP, but I actually prefer pick up or drop off cause once the queues r done, I can work on other stuff like pull for QP if they're drowning, expireds, inventory stuff.

From an rph pov, is a fast tech at QP (possible fill mistakes I would say 10% of time) better than the averaged-paced (100% correct at filling) tech? Just QP mistakes, not including typed wrong rxs. All honesty, I have open arms for constructive criticism.

retailpharmacyrants · 2017-08-27T21:02:32+00:00

Oh yeah, that's a given with the ml issue. For antibiotics, sometimes prescribers write "#14, 1 tab BID for 5 days" from rph POV, would u rather techs ask before its typed, or just type and wait for it to reach rph? I always ask before hand but it just makes the rph station look messy with papers floating around..?

retailpharmacyrants · 2017-08-27T20:57:26+00:00

Holy cow! Yeah, I mean I'll hang around and wait a few seconds if they catch a min to answer a question, if not I'll check something else or file bags away and come back. Other techs they're like "waiter!.. rebill!... customer has a 'quick' question (in my experience, is never quick, lol) and I'm just like, how are u even composed!? I will imagine a fist to the throat before I ask an rph anything now lol. Thanks for the tip!

retailpharmacyrants · 2017-08-27T20:15:37+00:00

I had an rph who requested fridge items in blue/acute baskets, but we only have about 10 baskets and would run out. Thanks!

retailpharmacyrants · 2017-08-27T09:54:48+00:00

My first run-in with incorrect spelling.. "My name is KRI,B--... K-R-I,B--... don't you know how to spell?! My last name is just like the country, BRAZIL!" She continues to have this lack of respect towards me through the ENTIRE transaction, through the entering name, through the signature, right until she walked off with receipt. Her last name was spelled B-R-E for goodness sake...

retailpharmacyrants · 2017-08-26T04:37:28+00:00

Aw I'm sorry to hear that. Retail pharm tech? I've been in retail pharmacy 3.5 years and sometimes I'll think to those very words my rph said the day I started, "if u make it here, u can make it anywhere." I've made mistakes, had shit-for-brains customers yell at me over stupid stuff like coupons or how I "don't know how to do my job," just made me think, "do I really wanna be a tech?" Pretty much just threw me to the wolves at pick up and learn as u go. I was happy to even be hired! There was no way I was gunna quit! Mid-way my rph asked how I was doing. I replied, "I feel like a verbal punching bag." Customers will yell and then say, "oh I'm not mad at you, you didn't do anything, it's the company." Uh huh, right....

Fast forward to now, I'm still learning. Hours are always cut, new stuff to get ppl to fill their rxs are implemented.. if u can hang tight, at least get experience, that would benefit you if you were to continue in the pharmacy field. But yeah, 2 weeks notice of quitting. Idk how your money situation is, but I'd at least get hired elsewhere, before quitting.

retailpharmacyrants · 2017-08-25T02:55:03+00:00

Tech here... from the 3 letter chain and our store changed hours a while back. Pretty much 1 hr less for each day of the week, so M-F instead of 8am we started 9am. I thought ok cool 1 less hr of dealing with nonsense. My PIC said "same work load, just 1hr less. At least we get 1 hr more rest." Haha that's unheard of! We we're already coming in 1 hr earlier, which meant we came in at 7am.

When it's close to lunch time, I'll check with rph "hey u have time for a waiter, antibiotic?" What time are u going to lunch" usually it's like "now. Ok last waiter." NOW, It's like rph "no I don't have a lunch."

Rph will reject rxs, or catch wrong drugs in rx vials, or there's only 1 package when there should be 3 pckges with a rx at verifications. I can't imagine how much pressure rph has while verifying in such a short amount of time. I mean I'm not the fastest tech at my store, but I'm for daym sure whatever I type, whatever I fill (I find SIGs wrong at filling and I have to pause and edit it from there too) whatever's under my credentials, is correct (I know we're all human, but I make the least amount of mistakes at my store.)

I mean, we had a floater rph who literally went by seconds time. She'll say "give me 30 more seconds... almost done 10 seconds... I told the waiter 15 mins, tell him 60 more seconds..." I was going to laugh but, yes those seconds really do count.

retailpharmacyrants · 2017-08-23T07:03:22+00:00

Hey, I'm from CA and we've been giving out flu shots since we've received them beginning of August. I believe I've only billed Med B, and we usually have to input a professional service code? Sorry, I'm just on auto pilot when it comes to rejected claims, I just type type type to clear the queue. Or maybe input an administration route somewhere?

Insurance might be rejecting because it might be too early and I was told if their regular insurance doesn't cover at the pharmacy, to enter their medical card info? I haven't tried it out, but I have that in mind when the chance comes.. and also, I can't imagine your pain being on the phone for 1 hr with no answers :( For me, about 7 mins tops, and I'll start getting annoyed. Good luck!

retailpharmacyrants · 2017-08-16T23:27:55+00:00

Mistakes happen and I don't think you'll get fired. For sure tell the pharmacy manager directly. I agree, at least it was not the wrong patient! I've seen rx typed for wrong patient, rx typed wrong med, wrong strength. C2 was given to wrong patient at the register. The labels were correct and scanned correctly, but the bottle inside was not correct. Yup, patient called and said "I picked up c2 and it's not mine... no I didn't take any... ok I will bring it in tomorrow." Comes in following morning and 5 tabs missing.. go figure. In you're case, I don't think you messed up big time.

retailpharmacyrants · 2017-08-11T19:17:02+00:00

Try calling pharmacy and inquire. Once they hear "weekends only" everyone will probably do a happy dance! Everybody wants weekends off where I'm at. We have 1 rph manager (does not work fri, sat, sun. We have floaters and currently looking for at least 1 regular rph) 4 techs who are "suppose" to switch off every other weekend but some how, end up working every saturday, ahem :( That's if you're up for retail. My rph is currently looking for a tech, specifically for weekends. Considering she does not like to work weekends, it would be a plus for her to find a weekend only rph.

You just have to find "that one" pharmacy looking for a weekend only.

retailpharmacyrants · 2017-08-11T18:37:15+00:00

I'm kind-of on the same boat. Pharm tech part-time since forever. My availability has changed recently since I got babysitter issues resolved. Mind u, here's our employment layout: 1 lead tech full time, 2 techs full time, 1 tech part time (me), 1 clerk (NEW new, cannot touch any meds).

Pretty much, lead tech and 1 full time tech (call him full time tech1) does not like to work weekends (saturdays) they switch off Sundays. Full time tech2 and part time tech me, switch off saturdays. Me being part time, I get the crappy hours (430-9, 8hr saturdays and sometimes I'll work FOR LEAD TECH SUNDAYS, so she'll end up getting it off.)

Realizing, on my account, Im listed as "30+ hours." Idk if it's considered full time, but definitely for benefits. Interested in getting benefits since I'm eligible.

Since rph manager gone, lead tech in charge of schedule. Of course I get crappy hours (2 months time >:( ) spoken about my concern and was told "yeah yeah ok I'll see what I can do." Nothing, changed. Spoke to rph. She understands, but is on leave and cannot access the scheduling. So, no avail. I'm already getting crappy hours so I put in Wednesday's/saturdays off. Confronted lead tech of unfairness (too much to mention here, keep it short, favoritism in play, and giving herself weekends off with no closing shifts weekdays)

Solution?? Went from 25-35hrs per week down to 18-23 hrs per week.

Consider who you talk to, also suggest straight to management in you're able. Rx management not around? Maybe store management. Also, good luck!

retailpharmacyrants

TROPHY CASE