professional advice please

[JennsBaby04]

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Hey everybody,
I'm a lurker around here and have decided to finally post a new thread. I'm a P1 and also a pharmacy technician at a small independent pharmacy that specializes in retail, home IV's and TPN's, a small amount of DME, and even some clinical work (one of our pharmacists used to visit a local behavioral hospital to review formularies, etc.) I have a bachelor's degree in biological sciences. During my years in college, I wasn't quite sure what type of profession I wanted, but I knew I wanted to work in a health field (went between pharmacy, medicine, nursing) . I chose to pursue pharmacy after being introduced to the mechanism of the drug, digitalis while I was taking biochemistry. I found myself in the library studying other drugs and their mechanisms on my own spare time...ok so I'm a nerd, LOL. Anyway, I've been a technician/intern for about 1 & 1/2 years and enjoyed my work for the most part, but sometimes I get so frustrated because I'm ready to do new and different things. Sometimes, all I do is tend to the order, receive the order, work the register, etc. I'm not saying this isn't important work, but I get aggravated when I think of all those late-nights while in college (before pharmacy school), busting my butt to earn my degree. One of the managers knows I get frustrated and sometimes lets me compound and make IV's (simple stuff under his supervision). I talked to the pharmacists I work with and they say it gets better when you graduate and become a pharmacist. Any inputs?? Thanks in advance. God Bless.

 

[Requiem]

Hey everybody,
I'm a lurker around here and have decided to finally post a new thread. I'm a P1 and also a pharmacy technician at a small independent pharmacy that specializes in retail, home IV's and TPN's, a small amount of DME, and even some clinical work (one of our pharmacists used to visit a local behavioral hospital to review formularies, etc.) I have a bachelor's degree in biological sciences. During my years in college, I wasn't quite sure what type of profession I wanted, but I knew I wanted to work in a health field (went between pharmacy, medicine, nursing) . I chose to pursue pharmacy after being introduced to the mechanism of the drug, digitalis while I was taking biochemistry. I found myself in the library studying other drugs and their mechanisms on my own spare time...ok so I'm a nerd, LOL. Anyway, I've been a technician/intern for about 1 & 1/2 years and enjoyed my work for the most part, but sometimes I get so frustrated because I'm ready to do new and different things. Sometimes, all I do is tend to the order, receive the order, work the register, etc. I'm not saying this isn't important work, but I get aggravated when I think of all those late-nights while in college (before pharmacy school), busting my butt to earn my degree. One of the managers knows I get frustrated and sometimes lets me compound and make IV's (simple stuff under his supervision). I talked to the pharmacists I work with and they say it gets better when you graduate and become a pharmacist. Any inputs?? Thanks in advance. God Bless.

Well, I hate to point out the obvious, but you've worked around pharmacists for a year and a half and you're wondering if it changes when you actually become a pharmacist?

I guess you see what retail pharmacists do on a day to day basis since you've been around them for so long, I don't really see what you need 'input' on. Seems like more of an issue to strike up with your employer then the forum, or perhaps you should switch places of employment with someone who'd be more lenient with your responsibilities.

 

[JennsBaby04]

Well, I hate to point out the obvious, but you've worked around pharmacists for a year and a half and you're wondering if it changes when you actually become a pharmacist?

I guess you see what retail pharmacists do on a day to day basis since you've been around them for so long, I don't really see what you need 'input' on. Seems like more of an issue to strike up with your employer then the forum, or perhaps you should switch places of employment with someone who'd be more lenient with your responsibilities.

Thank you for the reply. I guess my post was more of a chance to vent frustration. I just feel as though I am not being given enough learning opportunities on the job and a lot of the other techs have told me time and time again that I am not being used to the best of my abilities. Perhaps I should be more aggressive on this issue at work. Thanks again.

 

[Requiem]

Thank you for the reply. I guess my post was more of a chance to vent frustration. I just feel as though I am not being given enough learning opportunities on the job and a lot of the other techs have told me time and time again that I am not being used to the best of my abilities. Perhaps I should be more aggressive on this issue at work. Thanks again.

Definitely, the beauty of pharmacy is you don't have to settle. Search for what you're looking for, if it isn't there - move on.

Good luck, and you're welcome.

 

[tupac_don]

Thank you for the reply. I guess my post was more of a chance to vent frustration. I just feel as though I am not being given enough learning opportunities on the job and a lot of the other techs have told me time and time again that I am not being used to the best of my abilities. Perhaps I should be more aggressive on this issue at work. Thanks again.

Well dont' get too frustrated. Pharmacy interns aka people in 3rd or 4th year pharmacy school, more or less do tech work unless they have been working there for a long time so pharmacists lets them do more, or they are hired as a graduate intern. How do you think pharmacy students feel when they are a third year and they get to ring the cash register, and go punch in orders, and count pills. Its part of the territory. Even as a pharmacist you might have to do some ringing in at the cash registar. I wouldn't get too frustrated, I am sure if you make it to pharmacy school, they would give you more stuff to do. Good luck.

 

[sdn1977]

Your post made me chuckle.....my daughter is home from medical school - she has completed 6 months and has a BS in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology and she has been lamenting how hard it is to find work for this summer because all her schooling qualifies her to do NOTHING AT ALL!!!. All kidding aside, as a pharmacist, I can assure you it will get better. I'll give you a little insight into when. First, when it comes to compounding...I never let my techs compound unique, one of a kind products (they do bulk stuff). However, my interns will do compounding, but only after they have completed that portion of their schooling (usually the first year for topicals) and they have demonstrated good technique to me. However, I must see all measured components before they are mixed. I might even give them a dummy compound just so I can watch their technique. For IV's, especially chemos....you must show me consistent technique for longer for me to trust you. If the product that has to be compounded is extremely expensive or I've only ordered one and it can't be wasted, I'm likely to do the compounding just because I have to take the responsibility if the final product is not done at the time I've said it would be. Hang in there with school - be sure to discuss with your supervisor what you are doing - he/she wants to know you've completed aseptic technique training or whatever and know that over the years you'll have incorporated far more fluocinolone into orabase than you'd ever thought the world needed! Remember to have fun!!

 

[usi]

I am not a pharmacist, I have been a chemist for almost 9 years, and I am hoping to get accepted for 2006.
I think all jobs have moments of boredom, and moments in which you feel like your skills are not being utilizied fully.
As long you don't feel like that all the time. Is ok

 

[speednutsII]

I am not a pharmacist, I have been a chemist for almost 9 years, and I am hoping to get accepted for 2006.
I think all jobs have moments of boredom, and moments in which you feel like your skills are not being utilizied fully.
As long you don't feel like that all the time. Is ok

Well said.