So I am a student pharmacist & I had my first day of shadowing at Osco yesterday. I took a 4 month long pharm tech certification course before starting pharmacy school but I've NEVER worked as a tech. Yesterday was pretty crazy & hard to get used to! I got to fill some prescriptions but I was having a hard time getting into the rhythm of things. Any advice?? And can anyone tell me the steps to filling a prescription?? bc I can't even remember what I did now haha! Thanks!!
new pharm tech! help!
- Thread starter kaydee
- Start date
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2011
- Messages
- 1,368
- Reaction score
- 1,004
I used to be a pharm tech. Different stores may have different workflows, but I'll describe ours. We would take the prescription at drop off and first ask if the patient had filled with us before. Next, we ask the date of birth and ask when the patient would be back to pick up the prescription. We write the date of birth on the prescription, and then place a reasonable promise time on the prescription (if the patient asks it to be done as soon as possible). Our system utilized scanners, so we would scan in the prescription. After that we match the script to the patient in our system, input data regarding the prescription into the computer, blade a back tag on the hard copy and file it. Next the system pushed the prescription to the next workflow where a tech dispenses the medication. After that it was checked and verified by the pharmacist on duty and finally bagged and ready to be sold to the patient.
That's essentially how we operated in a very simplified summary. As far as advice, I would just say to be cautious and to remember the HIPAA laws and regulations. Always ask the date of birth on the bag when selling the medication to the patient to avoid giving the wrong bag to the wrong person. Follow your state's laws regarding controlled substances. Check to see if controlled substances are due to be filled or if they are trying to be filled too early. Have more experienced techs teach you how to resolve insurance billing issues because they can become pretty complicated.
That's essentially how we operated in a very simplified summary. As far as advice, I would just say to be cautious and to remember the HIPAA laws and regulations. Always ask the date of birth on the bag when selling the medication to the patient to avoid giving the wrong bag to the wrong person. Follow your state's laws regarding controlled substances. Check to see if controlled substances are due to be filled or if they are trying to be filled too early. Have more experienced techs teach you how to resolve insurance billing issues because they can become pretty complicated.
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2010
- Messages
- 1,285
- Reaction score
- 4
My advice is to take it slow. Focus on learning and getting things right initially, not on being fast.
Also, there are tons of pre-existing threads on this topic. Try this one in particular. The search function is extremely helpful 🙂
owlegrad
Uncontrollable Sarcasm Machine
Staff member
Administrator
Volunteer Staff
Lifetime Donor
15+ Year Member
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2009
- Messages
- 25,393
- Reaction score
- 12,074
Buy a pocket notebook and write down stuff so you don't have to keep asking the same questions.
biggest helper i had when i started. i work closed door though, i wouldn't be much help. sorry lol
ROFLMFAO!
Dude, you seriously don't know what "Osco drugs" store is? The CVS chain bought out all the old Osco drug stores, I'm suprised they still exist today.
EDIT: I used to live near a bunch of Osco drugs until one day I drove by them all and they turned into CVS, I thought Osco drugs was changing their store name or something.
Last edited:
must not be a big southern california chain. a quick google says they were savon at one point, and that i remember around here.
Similar threads
