You'd think having a job in a pharmacy would be one of the most glamorous jobs as a young person. But you couldn't be more wrong. I have had many jobs in the past year, four to be exact, and none of them have been as emotionally draining or as frustrating as being a pharmacy technician (especially one in retail). We are the punching bags of the medical field. We are the last people you see after you've gone through going to the doctor or the hospital when you're sick and all you want to do is be home in bed, and we are the bearers of bad news when your insurance isn't going to cover your medication or we don't have it in stock. On top of all of that, we have a million things going on behind us that need to be done before our shift is over for the day. So while we are trying to be considerate and empathetic towards you, here are a 11 things you can do to reciprocate that consideration and empathy:
1. Please understand that we are only human,
and we will try to have your script ready for you as soon as possible, but there are constantly phones ringing, patients coming through the drive thru, and front store customers asking us where things are and what sales are going on, it may be a minute.
2. Speaking of coming to the pharmacy to ask about store things --
I was trained to know where medication is and count them. I have no idea if that coupon will work, I have no idea where the back scratchers are. There are three people working up front who know all about if your coupon will work with the store sale, I'm only able to tell you how many days your meds are going to last you.
3. When you come up to pick up,
please don't say, "I'm here picking up a script," then give me a blank stare. I know you're here picking up a script, but I don't know who you are. I tried mind reading once, it didn't work out too great. I need to know your name and your birthday.
4. Conversely,
please don't start throwing your information at me before I can even say hello. I can't keep up, and I'm going to ask you to repeat yourself until you slow down.
5. Please don't get upset when I ask you how to spell your name.
I understand that you have been spelling your name since kindergarten, but I haven't. If it makes you feel any better, I've been called "Marissa" all my life.
6. Please stop bringing your groceries to the pick up counter.
It takes away from the scripts I have to fill and the "one pharmacy call" I have to answer. Help me help other patients -- it's good karma, I swear!
7. I understand that you're sick and tired, but please don't take your anger out on me,
because trust me, I'm tired too. It's emotionally draining having people bark in your face all day. Give us a smile. I promise you that we appreciate a positive attitude from you more than you think.
8. Please understand that I did not lose your script.
It's somewhere in the pharmacy, and sometimes it isn't filed correctly. Saying, "I should have a script!" doesn't help. I know that, it's on my screen, it's a matter of figuring out which wrong basket it was placed into.
9. Use the chip reader.
Yes, it's there. Yes, it works. Please use it.
10. Please know that I don't know how to say half of these medications, and I have no idea what they're supposed to treat.
Except ibuprofen. My lab coat is misleading, I know, but please don't ask me what it is or what it's for. I'm a psychology student, I'm working in the pharmacy because it's more than minimum wage and tuition is expensive.
11. If you see a tired look on my face and/or a sharpness in my voice, please try to be a little nice to me.
Odds are I've had a long day and it's probably not even over yet. I'd really appreciate it if you made my job suck a little less by being patient, understanding, and kind as we technicians try to be while helping you.
We are aware that coming to the pharmacy isn't the best thing on your "to-do" list. We're also aware that we're pretty high up there on the list of places that you don't want to be -- right up there with the Secretary of State. But I promise you, if you help us out and be understanding and patient, your experience will be a lot better and a lot faster!
