Missing Patients...

I have been a pharmacy technician for 8 years. During those 8 years I have done a lot of things. I have worked in a lot of pharmacies and for a lot of different pharmacists. I have met and worked with lazy techs, super ninja techs, so so techs, stupid techs, funny techs, etc. I have taught a lot interns. I have learned a lot from interns. I have been jealous of interns and the amount of money they make when I am doing all the work. But all in all it has been a fun ride. I have enjoyed being a pharmacy tech. I love the patients and hearing the funny stories. From boob rashes to sex changes to morning after pills following a rape, to how a certain med makes a certain male appendage go limp, to anti rejection meds following life saving transplant. It has been a wonderful experience and I have loved most of it.

Here in Oregon techs are not allowed to counsel patients on over-the-counter medication. In Utah we are allowed to if we feel comfortable. I did to the extend of my knowledge. If I did not know I asked the pharmacist. It wasn't a big deal for me. Well here I am having a hard time breaking that habit. It is hard for me. I have worked with one particular annul pharmacist who listens to every conversation I have with patients. She says I cannot tell them to get Ibuprofen or Tylenol. I can only show them where it is on the shelf. So here I am with a line of people and the person I am currently helping asks what is a good decongestant. I have to say I don't know let me as the pharmacist who is freaking busy on the phone or helping other patients so I have to sit and wait for her to come over and say....phenylephrine. I mean like I did not know that....If I was in Utah I would have said Pseudophed or phenylephrine and then sold it to them and moved the line along. Here in OR pseudophed is a class V narcotic and available only by prescription--Utah you can still get it over-the-counter. That is why Utah has a meth problem. Oh well. So far in Oregon I have not counted a CII medication, or reconstituted an antibiotic, counseled with a patient, or checked out someone all by myself. In OR the pharmacist has to counsel each patient when they have a new prescription and the computer required their fingerprint before I can finish the transaction. It is time consuming but good.

So I am adjusting to the rules of OR but it is a bit hard. I feel so useless. I miss treating patients. I miss the interaction and bonding that occurs between health care professionals and their patients. I really need to get a hygiene job. Luckily I am a newlywed and have other things to occupy my life:)