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When technicians don't show respect...
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[YOUTUBE]fuBGevbuQYs[/YOUTUBE]
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Why don't you worry about that when and if it happens? By your posts you seem to worry a lot...chill out...in my personal experience most techs are nice, sometimes smaller chains are better and larger chains tend to have some bad apples since there are more techs working at once.
If you're slow, techs won't be mad at you, they will understand you are new and try to take the load off...Just please always remember that patients who are waiting are first priority...many pharmacists forget that and tend to get distracted or feel like they need to complete each and every thing as it comes to them (in order) so they don't get distracted or forget...you must learn how to multitask and do things out of the order in which you received them by prioritizing.
I'll work with a floater and when they decide to input 4 Rx's that were just handed to them when a patient is waiting (and the Rx has been filled, just waiting to be checked) that will get a tech mad at you...because we take the heat!
I'm sure there is a Pharmacy Manager or Store Manager you can talk to if you have a disrespectful tech that will not listen. Our job is to help you, all techs should be more than willing, especially CPhT's. 🙂
If you're slow, techs won't be mad at you, they will understand you are new and try to take the load off...Just please always remember that patients who are waiting are first priority...many pharmacists forget that and tend to get distracted or feel like they need to complete each and every thing as it comes to them (in order) so they don't get distracted or forget...you must learn how to multitask and do things out of the order in which you received them by prioritizing.
I'll work with a floater and when they decide to input 4 Rx's that were just handed to them when a patient is waiting (and the Rx has been filled, just waiting to be checked) that will get a tech mad at you...because we take the heat!
I'm sure there is a Pharmacy Manager or Store Manager you can talk to if you have a disrespectful tech that will not listen. Our job is to help you, all techs should be more than willing, especially CPhT's. 🙂
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write-up
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First of all you should not go into your new position with the idea in your head that this is going to happen. If you do you can create a self fulfilling prophecy type situation. In all work situations there can be conflict and chaos. A good manager understands that the best situation is when a group of people work together as a team. If you can get the best out of your team it will be a win win situation. So how do you do that?
First and foremost you should treat everyone else the way you would like to be treated. If there is something you need done a certain way...phrase your request in a respectful manner. Yes, you are the pharmacist and they are the tech but only a naive manager will express this hierarchy structure in an overt fashion. Everyone there knows you are the boss, most will concede authority to you without a single syllable having to be communicated.
For those that attempt to challenge your authority, deal with them calmly, show NO emotion, not anger, not frustration, not sarcasm, etc. In a monotone voice state what the problem is....for instance, you ask the tech to do X task, and the tech tells you "Not now, later, when I finish blah, blah, blah. First of all, make sure you are right about asking the tech to do whatever it is you want before they handle what they are doing....if the tech is right regarding the priority you need to concede that fact graciously, however, you should comment about how they communicated the information to you. I would say something like, "I see that handling what you are is more time sensitive, so yes, continue doing that, but please in the future communicate with me in a less dismissive fashion. I don't want to feel I need to convince you to comply with my requests, because then we are going to have a hard time working together and that will not be fun for either of us."
If they were wrong however and were not doing a higher priority task then I would say to them, " Later is not okay, I need you to stop doing blah blah blah, and do what I have asked you to do right now. Do you understand?" Now hear me when I say that if you say those words and put any attitude into them you will have issues. Calmly saying those words with no inflection or tude is the way to go. You come across as professional and firm. And that is something most people respect. I would say that doing this requires practice and it may take time to hone this ability to communicate firmly but without any attitude.
As you are a new manager I would give you this advice....think before you speak...do not feel like you need to respond immediately. I have had some confrontational scenes in my nearly 20 year work experience where I just walked away to think about how I wanted to deal with the situation, always I made the decision to calm down before I said or did anything. As a result, I was able to come back, calmly deal with a potentially explosive situation, maintain control of my area/employees, and most importantly get on with the business of the day.
First and foremost you should treat everyone else the way you would like to be treated. If there is something you need done a certain way...phrase your request in a respectful manner. Yes, you are the pharmacist and they are the tech but only a naive manager will express this hierarchy structure in an overt fashion. Everyone there knows you are the boss, most will concede authority to you without a single syllable having to be communicated.
For those that attempt to challenge your authority, deal with them calmly, show NO emotion, not anger, not frustration, not sarcasm, etc. In a monotone voice state what the problem is....for instance, you ask the tech to do X task, and the tech tells you "Not now, later, when I finish blah, blah, blah. First of all, make sure you are right about asking the tech to do whatever it is you want before they handle what they are doing....if the tech is right regarding the priority you need to concede that fact graciously, however, you should comment about how they communicated the information to you. I would say something like, "I see that handling what you are is more time sensitive, so yes, continue doing that, but please in the future communicate with me in a less dismissive fashion. I don't want to feel I need to convince you to comply with my requests, because then we are going to have a hard time working together and that will not be fun for either of us."
If they were wrong however and were not doing a higher priority task then I would say to them, " Later is not okay, I need you to stop doing blah blah blah, and do what I have asked you to do right now. Do you understand?" Now hear me when I say that if you say those words and put any attitude into them you will have issues. Calmly saying those words with no inflection or tude is the way to go. You come across as professional and firm. And that is something most people respect. I would say that doing this requires practice and it may take time to hone this ability to communicate firmly but without any attitude.
As you are a new manager I would give you this advice....think before you speak...do not feel like you need to respond immediately. I have had some confrontational scenes in my nearly 20 year work experience where I just walked away to think about how I wanted to deal with the situation, always I made the decision to calm down before I said or did anything. As a result, I was able to come back, calmly deal with a potentially explosive situation, maintain control of my area/employees, and most importantly get on with the business of the day.
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Don't listen to this broad and all her Oprah manager-in-5-minute nonsense. The way to maintain control of your technicians involves verbal beratement, humiliation, and when the need arises, firm spankings.
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Lol
Me thinks someone wants a paddlin' himself...
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The important thing to remember is that techs are not people, they are a means to an end. If they get out of line, it is your job to verbally abuse them into submission, preferably in front of other employees or customers. Techs will get complacent if you do not make them toe the line.
Actually, what Pharmgrlnxdor said. Everyone in the pharmacy knows who the boss is. Be fair and just, and your techs will love you. 🙂
Good Luck!
Actually, what Pharmgrlnxdor said. Everyone in the pharmacy knows who the boss is. Be fair and just, and your techs will love you. 🙂
Good Luck!
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The line forms here.
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Top-notch advice here. The only thing I would add is that if you ever have to verbally reprimand someone, do it in private.
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Don't go into it trying to please everyone. You are in charge and your license is on the line. Like someone else posted, be just and be fair. You have to remember that you are in charge, but not walk in there "like" you are in charge.
I have had the hardest time with one of my technicians. She has been working as a pharmacy tech for over 15 years and frankly, she is not qualified. When I first started she constitantly challenged my authority and all of the other technicians walked on egg-shells around her. She is one of those that put's her name on her counting spatula, you know what I mean?
I tried calmly speaking with her in private, I tried the nice guy approach, I tried the professional approach with an official write-up for her conduct. All of which worked for about 3 days. One day she came in slamming crap around and pissing and moaning and I had had enough of her. I lost it and did the unprofessional thing. I tore her up one side and down the other in front of everyone. Let me say that I do not work in a major chain with a bunch of corporate structure.
Now, she is my best friend. She pays more attention to her work, she makes less errors she consults me before making any decisions and she is much better to work with. Every once and a while she steps over the line and I let her have it. It turns out that she only really responds to strong authority.
Everyone responds differently, treat others like you would want to be treated, unless you like to be treated poorly of course, and you will be fine. Most of people you work with will be respectful and understand that you are new and probably expect you to be a little slow until you get into your flow. If after a year you are still the "slow pharmer", then they will just talk about you to each other and any other pharmacist who is much faster than you. They will say things like, "Ugh, Pharmgirl is working tomorrow, I hope we don't get a lot of consults" and "Pharmgirl is so slow, where's everyone better take some xanies tomorrow" and "where is the arsenic", you get my point.
I have had the hardest time with one of my technicians. She has been working as a pharmacy tech for over 15 years and frankly, she is not qualified. When I first started she constitantly challenged my authority and all of the other technicians walked on egg-shells around her. She is one of those that put's her name on her counting spatula, you know what I mean?
I tried calmly speaking with her in private, I tried the nice guy approach, I tried the professional approach with an official write-up for her conduct. All of which worked for about 3 days. One day she came in slamming crap around and pissing and moaning and I had had enough of her. I lost it and did the unprofessional thing. I tore her up one side and down the other in front of everyone. Let me say that I do not work in a major chain with a bunch of corporate structure.
Now, she is my best friend. She pays more attention to her work, she makes less errors she consults me before making any decisions and she is much better to work with. Every once and a while she steps over the line and I let her have it. It turns out that she only really responds to strong authority.
Everyone responds differently, treat others like you would want to be treated, unless you like to be treated poorly of course, and you will be fine. Most of people you work with will be respectful and understand that you are new and probably expect you to be a little slow until you get into your flow. If after a year you are still the "slow pharmer", then they will just talk about you to each other and any other pharmacist who is much faster than you. They will say things like, "Ugh, Pharmgirl is working tomorrow, I hope we don't get a lot of consults" and "Pharmgirl is so slow, where's everyone better take some xanies tomorrow" and "where is the arsenic", you get my point.
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Alot depends on the situation. You have to get a good read of the dynamics of the pharmacy. When you first start at a new pharmacy spend a week observing and listening so people become at ease and let their true colors show. Then when someone consistently challenges you you can use a progressive technique or if they are really stubborn head right to a write up. Chose your battles wisely and one at a time.
Anyone got any good advice for when your techs have a crush on you? This has happened more than once, and it makes for an awkward work environment. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's flattering, but I just want to keep it professional at work. It's just weird when I'm only like 3-4 years older than the tech and she makes it blatantly obvious that she's into me.
I'm thinking about just saying I have a girlfriend next time this happens. Probably the easiest way out. Or I could just start saying "thuperrrr" a lot and let it take care of itself.
I'm thinking about just saying I have a girlfriend next time this happens. Probably the easiest way out. Or I could just start saying "thuperrrr" a lot and let it take care of itself.
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Unless you're asking them to do something illegal or unethical, or you're an abusive bully, they will do what you tell them to do, or they won't have a job. Treat them with respect, and they will reciprocate.......usually. You will occasionally run into someone who doesn't have to follow the rules and is exempt from disciplinary action, but you'll encounter that no matter where you work, or in what field. 😡
More than once, I've dealt with techs who were just out of high school and had to be told that if a pharmacist tells them to do something, they need to do it, and that whenever someone talks to them, they are to reply using words; grunting and shrugging your shoulders is NOT an acceptable answer. Ever seen "The 40-Year-Old Virgin"? Yeah, you'd be surprised how many people think it's okay to act like that at work.
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I'm pretty sure they're into your salary not you lol jk. I would just go up to her and be like " My girlfriends birthday is coming up any advice?" Or something like that and they'll get the point.....hopefully.
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thanks you for the good advice everyone!
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Don't listen to anyone else, you know what you need to do. Once the sexual tension is gone it will be all good. Then tell her that since your consummation with her you have fully realized that you are gay and ask her if she knows anyone who can get you some Brittany Spears tickets.
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you could always invest in a gold band to wear on your left hand while at work.
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It is something all new Pharmacists will have to deal with. The 30-year career tech that thinks they know everything. There are times they do and times they don't. Be firm and confident respecting their years of experience yet making it clear you are the Pharmacist. As with any situation in life if you let someone walk all over you they will. Your techs are your most valuable resourse so treat them that way. However that does not mean you let them walk all over you and do whatever they want. It takes time to establish your place in the Pharmacy. If you start out strong and confident things will normalize alot sooner.
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Britney Spears? Really? Isnt that a little harsh?
C'mon, it is a well known fact that the gay community loves Brittany 😛
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Even us gays know Britney has issues. It's all about the Gaga now (however I am still stuck on Madonna). Vogue.
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Me not so much either. I just feel old compared to a lot of the students I have classes with. Some of them are young enough that I could have gone to high school with their parents! 😱
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You will also earn the respect of your fellow pharmacists if you do not think you know everything just because you're a new graduate. Believe me, being a pharmacist is just like life: you will learn the most from personal experience.
In 2004, my previous employer hired a newly graduated Pharm.D. who refused to do technician duties because it was "beneath him" and also told our oldest pharmacist, who graduated in 1966, that he didn't know what he was talking about because he didn't have a Pharm.D. Mr. 1966, who is normally a very laid back kind of guy (and has since retired) totally lit into him and put him in his place, stating that he might not have a Pharm.D., but he had nearly 40 years of experience that Mr. New Graduate didn't have.
Ever seen this? Ozzy gives some very good advice at 0:11. NSFW.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlHK4XaBZpg
