But I’m Just a Tech!!

As Bill Engvall once said, “stupid people should have to wear signs” just so we know they’re stupid before they open their mouths. I think this would be a wonderful thing to implement in our business. It would definitely save us a LOT of time. Now don’t get me wrong… it’s not always the customers who do stupid things… sometimes it’s people working with us.

Take , for example the tech student we got from a local tech training program. He had recently finished all his courses and exams and was doing a practicum to finish off his training. You would suspect that having recently finished his schooling, he would have some sort of clue about the basic workings of a pharmacy. Now, I am not saying I knew how to do every single thing in the pharmacy within the first few days, but I picked it up pretty quickly. This guy also claimed he had a one point in his previous career been a commercial pilot, so there have to be some brains in that head somewhere, right? WRONG!

Simply understanding that working in a pharmacy, we have to project a trustworthy, professional image was beyond him. His mode of dress was ridiculous, and his personal hygiene left a lot to be desired. Being able to figure out simple things, like putting an order away with supervision… impossible and very time consuming(3 hours for 2 boxes???).

As we didn’t want to let this person anywhere near our computers just yet, we had him doing menial tasks and tried to introduce a few more prescription related duties one by one. First assignment–decipher this RX.

I handed him a very clearly written prescription that said “Biaxin 500mg bid X 7d” and asked him “which medication would you choose, and why?” He turned to the shelf, selected a Biaxin XL 500mg and handed it to me and said “this one”

I said to him “Read the rx.. what does it say?” “It says Biaxin 500 mg bid (twice daily) for 7 days.”

“So,” I say, “What are the directions on the Biaxin XL bottle?” “Hmmmmmmm” long pause, “it says’2 tablets once daily for 7-14 days’ ” he replies.

“And what does this one say?” I ask, handing him the Biaxin BID bottle.

“Take 1 tablet twice daily for 7-14 days.” is the answer.

“So which would you pick?” I lead. “This one!” he smiles, handing me the Biaxin XL bottle.

Here’s your sign.

Needless to say.. he was told not to come back.

If you want the reference for the title

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upXayzBPuzM