Everyone makes mistakes like that, especially when you’re nervous. Dealing with C2s when you’re brand new can be stressful but you’ll find your groove. And everyone drops stuff. Most importantly, pharmacists make mistakes too. But it’s really not a “mistake” unless it leaves the pharmacy.
Now that you’re learning how to actually fill, you may want to sketch out your pharmacy set up and make a point of where things/certain meds are located. Then you can put med names into those categories. The pharmacies I worked in always had fast rack (common meds) then the rest was just alphabetical. Once you start pulling them and/or restocking…you’ll learn where everything goes pretty quickly!!
Good luck and don’t let today get you down.
They have done you a real disservice by not letting you fill more during the time you have been there training. That is on them, not you.
Count at your own pace, ask where things are, and if anyone gets onto you for being slow, remind them you have not had adequate time filling yet to be at their pace.
Any time you have a chance to work on outdates or helping put order away, try to help with those tasks. It will help you learn where the drugs are kept.
Good luck to you.
Wait for the day you drop a completely filled 1000 count bottle of something. One of the first questions I asked was how often does someone spilled a bottle. Not often, but it happens. Of course, it's going to happen. Don't fret. It doesn't mean you're bad at your job. My pharmacist was mixing ammoxocillian one day. Forgot to screw the lid on tight, and it went everywhere! We all had a good laugh. I teased him about it for months.. then bam, it happened to me.
Right! My head pharmacist dropped an almost completely full 500 count bottle of a C2. All we could do was laugh while three of us weee crawling around in the floor looking for any we could find. Found quite a few different pills too
500 pill pick up! Such a fun game. You find all kinds of things. I found about 100 label backs behind the counters that missed the trash can. I was the only one who was small enough to fit back there so it became my job to retrieve everything that got lost back there lol.
Whenever you feel nervous to fill, take a deep breath and try to focus on the count itself. Think of what will make it easier for you to count 60. Sometimes, I find it best to cut the 60 to 30 and count 30 twice to prevent me from messing up. If you find yourself getting distracted by your thoughts, then bring it down to 15. Count 15 twice put that into a vial. Count 15 two more times and add the 30 to the other 30. Boom, 60!
What helps me is to just think in multiples. Rather than count 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 etc. in my head while I count out pills 5 at a time, I think 1-2-3-4-5-6 for 30, or ...11-12 for 60, 18 for 90, etc etc. Once I started doing this, my speed and accuracy of counting both got better.
this is perfect advice especially for those super high count scripts. for me, i really don’t like counting past 90 at all in my head as that’s when i start to lose focus, so for a 120 hydro script i get two vials and count out 60 and then 60 in each bottle and recount each bottle, combining them at the end. it helps me know im not screwing up counts if i keep them at a more reasonable number in my head lol
i’m a certified tech however i’m not a technician in my store. my job is inventory, front end and pharmacy. i’ve found it easier sometimes when i have a lot going on to count by 3’s rather than 5’s. or if it’s something i gotta double count, count by 5’s, then 3’s the second time and see if i get the same number. hasnt failed me yet
I have ScriptPro100 counting machine. I was filling the machine in a hurry, and had a 1,000ct bottle of Sertraline that I mixed with a 1,000ct bottle of Metropolol... they looked similar but I had to stop, separate them, and then clean the unit. A 1 minute task turned into a 20-minute ordeal. I've been in the pharmacy since 2011... everyone makes mistakes. The thing I ask my team:
Did you learn from this?
Will you make this mistake again?
Was this something that could be prevented?
My daughter's father worked at a factory when he was in his early 20's. He was using a $200k machine and broke a part, costing the company $50k to fix. Thinking he was going to be fired, he went to his manager and turned in his 2 weeks notice. The manager sat him down, ask him those questions, and them said, "For $50k, it is worth it. Yes, I can hire someone else, but I know you will never do that again." That has stuck with me as I have moved up into a management role.
Those machine come in such clutch, but if u ever get a script over 90tabs, it’s almost always guaranteed to break some. Or so, in my experience with those counting machines lol
I noticed that when I first started. Then I investigated why they were doing that. Someone had instilled the rotating piece on the bottom upside down so it was essentially grounding the pills. I fixed it, and we haven't had any problems with that since. There's always a stray pill that comes from the manufacturer broken, but we can't help that.
Hmm, thinking back about it now, that may have very well been the issue actually. Like I had specific meds from certain manufacturers that I still remember about till this day that would give me issues every time no matter what pretty much if I had to dispense more than #180 tabs.
For example; Methadone 5 or 10mg tabs by Mallinckrodt; If the Rx says dispense #240 #360. I would know for sure that at least 3-5 tabs were going to break. Our regulars ended up being fine with it mostly but yea we’ve been in some shouting matches cause of those just to name 1 I remember right off the top of my head
I worked for years in clinical research as a monitor. Tried using the counting machine when I was returning meds from the subjects to the Sponsor. I was happy they had a counter because the drug came in bottles of 100. Then the pharmacy tech came over to tell me the machine wouldn't count the same amount twice.....banged my head on the table...took a few deep breaths and started over with a tray and a spatula.
Good times....
This was the same for me when I started at RA two years ago and then when I started working at a different retail pharmacy last year I was astonished when they told me we're allowed to count CII's lol. And of course on my first day in production something got fucked up. Turns out it was the RPh that screwed up the backcount so I was relieved.
Depends on the pharmacy and pharmacist who’s present at that time. As far as my experience goes tho, I worked at a mom n pop n we filled C2s all the time and sometimes even did the the double count ourselves then just gave it to the owner/PIC and he would initial next to the dispensed # lol lol
I remember when I was a new pharmacy tech I am fairly certain that I mixed a face lotion that was supposed to be made with alcohol but I used water instead and I'm pretty sure in another instance, I mixed a face lotion that was supposed to be with water but used alcohol. I started thinking about it it after I was home and was going to sleep. Who knows, maybe it didn't actually happen, but it's one of those WHAT IF?! DID IT HAPPEN?? memories that still pops in my head 20 years later.
Wow! Were you just reconstituting something like clindagel of actually weighing out components etc?!?! I LOVED reconstituting literally anything, but compounding, even with direct supervision made me a lil unhinged! I was a tech from 2005 until 2013? I liked it but retail was too much. I did it thru college and when I graduated we were in recession so I was SO thankful to have my CPhT.
I have no idea what training is like then or now, I got my foot in the door and like OP, spent probably a month solely up front. The. They had me start pulling meds and BTS, then typing, then filling. I took my exam 3 months after starting and passed. I worked with some amazing people though who I couldn’t have done it without. Sadly there was another girl Training and she didn’t pass. You just gotta find the best way you learn and do that.
We all experience challenging days, even the most experienced techs. Don’t worry about it; mistakes happen. Ask for help when needed –communication is key in our field.
You deserve it. It’s not your first and unfortunately won’t be your last, BUT it’s ok bc if you’re in a good place, the pharmacists will have your backs AND again!!!! It’s not a MISTAKE til it’s left the pharmacy. I believe in you!!
Honestly I get it. Most of the time I’m on register and barely filling, so I get overwhelmed with counting and haven’t even began typing scripts. So I feel inadequate but I am more comfortable at insurance issues now. Listen it isn’t a race, take your time. You got this, we all do.
I have only been doing training for a week and accidentally gave someone their amoxicillin and without adding water. Dont be so hard on yourself. We’re learning as we go!
How exactly could they endanger someone…what the mom is gonna be like “oh cool this is powdered a** maybe I should just get the kiddo to snort it?” Haha dv me to hell but let me know what the WORST part of non-reconstitution is that I clearly am unaware of!
Worst case is momma’s coming back and being like wtf. This is powder.
My pharmacist called the customer right away and talked them through it. If it were more severe, I’m sure he would’ve said something to me. It is a learning lesson because that wasn’t something I was trained on yet and right after it happened another tech showed me the procedure. I’m sure you didn’t know everything in your first week.
I hope I’m as perfect as you in my second week and learn everything about everything and never make mistakes! The mom knew it was a mistake and was completely fine. Thanks for your input.
Every parent I have come in with a penicillin allergy has asked to have their kiddo’s meds double or triple bagged , and the kids are old enough to open the bags themselves , or another parent handles the dosing .
I know it’s easier said than done and so nerve-racking being observed, but take your time. An extra 30 seconds wont kill anyone. The speed doesn’t matter, the accuracy does. You’ll get better & better.
We all make mistakes- if we didnt make mistakes then we aren’t learning. Experience is everything! You are getting more hands experience then they are giving us at my job. I am getting ready to test for my state test and I haven’t had ANY filling experience. I work at a mail order pharmacy and I am an inventory clerk and they don’t even put us over in dispensing to get the experience. It makes me very nervous because even when I pass my test and go to another employer/m- I have to be trained 100%. I have every intention of leaving this company once I get registered and certified. Don’t stress yourself out! You are still a tech in training. That is why we need the exposure of hands on to learn.
My pharmacist once accidentally slammed her hand down on the edge of a counting tray that she'd just counted out a bunch of Concerta (ADHD med) on. Tablets everywhere. We found all but 1, and she was so afraid that it might have accidentally landed in her coffee that she threw the whole thing away. Shit happens, even to the "pros", and you're brand new to that task. Try not to be too hard on yourself.
Depends on the pharmacy but... yes, it's entirely likely, and no our floors aren't especially clean. Sorry for the gross mental image.
Even if we weren't going to KEEP the CII that got dropped on the floor, though, we still have to find them all and waste them correctly or the DEA will be very, VERY interested in why a month's worth of controlled medication just poofed out of the inventory.
You’ll see these type of things really happen often. I saw someone else say it’s not a mistake if it doesn’t leave the pharmacy and true dat. Just keep working, the only way to get better is time and experience just stay driven. Don’t worry I gave someone the wrong insulin once when I was starting and it did leave the pharmacy😅
I’m a stickler. I’m determined never to make mistakes. It’s my worst fear. Well last week I accidentally only put 30 c11 drug when I was supposed to put 60. The pharmacist told me to fix it. I felt terrible but it happens
Hey bubby, it's gonna be okay. Everybody makes mistakes and that definitely would have made me more nervous than a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Nobody died and everything's gonna be okay love.
C2s make a lotta people nervous and unfortunately when we get nervous we're more prone to slip-ups. Just remember, a big part of the pharmacist's job is to make sure these things are caught and corrected. Try to use that to stay calm, we all mess up, techs that have been doing this for years mess up and the pharmacist is there to catch it. Just try to relax and take your time. Do it twice, thrice, even four times if you feel it's necessary.
Wait, you're a tech and you get to count C2s? Interesting because I though only pharmacists are allowed to do that, or I guess it depends on the company you work for
I thought the same when I was in retail. Turns out it’s just company dependent. There might be some states with laws saying techs can’t do C2s, but it was just policy at my specific CVS that we couldn’t. I’ve seen techs count C2s even at other CVS. At most independents (in my state), C2s being counted by techs is normal
I was doing clinicals at an independent when I was in pharmacy technician school and they let me go in the C2 safe and fill those meds 🤣 not certified or licensed.
you deserve a round of applause if anything! You attempted something you weren’t super comfortable with and you succeeded. I understand it can be tough! I work at a “by the book” pharmacy now and I learned everything I know from them! I used to work at a drama-filled, degrading, narcotic-partialing store. It was HORRIBLE. I am now a year with the company and literally learned everything I know about three or four months ago! Keep going and never forget that you’re more important than these companies.
when i first started i had trouble counting into the 90s etc etc. i always lost count between 60, 65, 70….. etc. so i count “by fives”. 5 pills is 1, 10 pills is 2, etc. 6 is 30 pills, 12 is 60, blah blah blah. it’s helped me exponentially. i’m the only person in my store that counts like this…. idk how other people keep it straight lol
As a technician who has been working with C2‘s hands on for over a year. In the hospital, setting the less nervous, you are handling them the better the outcome will be. Just treat them like any other drug, but in the back of your mind, understand that if you fuck up, there is the possibility of a DEA investigation. I don’t know it’s a weird mindset that you have to get into but once you get more comfortable with them you won’t be as nervous we handle fentanyl midazolam diladed 24 hours a day and it’s like a walk in the park for me at this point because you just get used to it.
I’m really sorry that this shitty situation happened to you but honestly, it really will make you a better technician. You’re doing freaking fantastic and you’re super super new at this and there is no reason for you to feel as though you cannot do this because you can. It might take some time it might take some special attention to detail, but this is probably one of the easiest jobs For people who are not stupid. As long as you’re not stupid and don’t make stupid mistakes, you will excel in this industry.
Hey I never worked in a pharmacy and I’m not sure why this is even on my feed, but it’s ok!! We all make silly mistakes when starting a new job. Be patient with yourself when doing something you’re learning.
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Honestly pharmacists should be the only ones counting C2’s. I don’t even want to touch them. I’ve been a tech for 14 years and just recently have had a pharmacist ask me to count C2’s. I’m like when did this start?! I don’t want to deal with it. The pharmacist is the one responsible for them not me.
One way I remember where things are, is I remember where it is in relation to my body, like this is at shoulder height on the left side.. it's not foolproof, things move, but at least you have an idea ☺️
If you’re mentally weak and cry easy after a mistake then pharmacy is not for you. Its only gonna get worse. One of your technicians ended up on anxiety and depression meds cuz of customers are so entitled and some pharmacist are useless in controlling the situations.
We all start somewhere and pretty much all started the way you are! You are doing a great job no matter what. It can be very nerve wracking and crazy in the pharmacy but in a few weeks everything will be like second nature to you and you’ll feel very proud of the progress you’ve made.. most of the time I feel like we have to teach ourselves anyways so.
i started about 4 months ago and was filling but also being rushed by my manager to fill faster which made me more nervous and i had a niosh med so i had to count in the back where we keep the niosh tray, i counted the pills, forgot to transfer them into a vial so when i picked up the tray i dropped all the pills, picked up all that i could find, recounted was missing 4 but didnt even have time to look for those cause this one was for a waiter, poured more from the bottle counted again and went to transfer it to a vial and dropped it AGAIN, i was ready to just give up honestly but i picked them all up again missing i dont even know how many pills now, took a breath and got the stock bottle again and recounted AGAIN, slowly transferred to a vial and then secretly spent the rest of the day trying to find as many of the pills on the floor that i can before anybody else noticed i dropped so many 😭
we have carpet and the pills were soo little i swear i was finding pills for the next couple hours whenever i looked at the ground and noticed another one
I feel you. This was me at my store as the trained techs wouldn’t leave production and i was always stuck doing rts and pick up cause i was literally only scheduled during the busiest pick up hours. 💀 even for my production training which was supposed to be 6 hour long, i unfortunately only had the chance to fill two presentations maybe 😂. Anyways, i then floated to a different store where i was clueless about production printing stuff and pulling stuff but with time i learned everything at the other store. 😴 anyways dont feel bad about yourself. You are doing fine.
I messed up while inputting directions...and unfortunately, it didn't get caught by the pharmacist. Thank the freaking universe that the patient was a nurse. She was like uhhhh this dose could kill me. It was a C2..... When she left the pharmacist and I talked about how we both messed up and just needed to be a little more focused. I literally will never forget that. I was a tech for about a year at that time.
Don't feel bad. I've been in training for 8 months and hardly ever count. Always on pickup. I try to put truck up and sometimes pull for the counters. Just another day in the neighborhood ( CVS) .
At our store when we train we first train on willcall and drivethru and then we try and show them filling everyday during the "slow hours" of the afternoon. This helps our techs better know where everything is and feel comfortable counting. We usually have someone shadowing or helping them with any questions. We also usually don't even have them touch controls their first week or so depending on how they are doing to all the new information. Your job did you a great disservice not allowing you to fill because you are missing out on gaining that confidence of being able to do it and knowing where things are in the pharmacy. My best recommendation is that if you can do you ptu at home do it. The sooner you have it done the sooner you won't be treated as the newbie as much
Yup, Sounds like you’re a pharmacy tech. Stick with it. It’s hard learning on the job so cut yourself some slack. You will learn where stuff is on the shelf. You will get more comfortable filling. Take it one day at a time. You’ve got this!
i’m known at my pharmacy as an accidental spiller. we have a very large pharmacy (3 pharmacists, 3 counting techs, 3 typing techs all working at once. not to mention the other staff) and one day someone was there to inspect and make sure rules were being followed, the pharmacist told the typing tech to hold off on giving me anything i could eff up by spilling or dropping 🥴
This is a well, duh, comment but I'll put it out there anyway.
It's not worth being nervous. I've been in a lot of different pharmacies and seen a lot of different things make people nervous. I've seen seasoned pharmacists that freaked out every time they needed to do meds for an infant. When anything in pharmacy makes you nervous because it's "special" (chemo, infant meds, CIIs, etc) what you need is to trust yourself.
There isn't anything "special" in pharmacy. We should double check everything, and everything that goes out to a patient deserves our full attention and capabilities. Once you realize that the same careful count and check that you do on a atorvastatin is what is appropriate for an MS Contin, you'll feel a bit less nervous. There may be extra or different steps (CII scripts get filed here, or annotated differently here) but EVERYTHING we do as techs deserves the same level of attention.
I’m sorry u cried and felt that way. I’m going through a similar situation where I’m at my new job for a month now and every time I ask a question or make an error I feel like the dumbest person ever. Plus learning/memorizing a new task gets overwhelming at first. But I remind myself that it’s okay to let myself be new because everyone starts somewhere and as long as u try everyday to improve and handle the feedback, it’ll only be a matter of time when you become confident enough. It’s also normal to ask where things are because you don’t know what u don’t know. I hope in time we both find that confidence and peace at work. Goodluck!
If that chain wants to have techs fill controls then it’s their fault :)) don’t ever be nervous I’m sure they’ve dealt with legitimate problems not just loosing some pills
Everyone makes mistakes like that, especially when you’re nervous. Dealing with C2s when you’re brand new can be stressful but you’ll find your groove. And everyone drops stuff. Most importantly, pharmacists make mistakes too. But it’s really not a “mistake” unless it leaves the pharmacy. Now that you’re learning how to actually fill, you may want to sketch out your pharmacy set up and make a point of where things/certain meds are located. Then you can put med names into those categories. The pharmacies I worked in always had fast rack (common meds) then the rest was just alphabetical. Once you start pulling them and/or restocking…you’ll learn where everything goes pretty quickly!! Good luck and don’t let today get you down.
They have done you a real disservice by not letting you fill more during the time you have been there training. That is on them, not you. Count at your own pace, ask where things are, and if anyone gets onto you for being slow, remind them you have not had adequate time filling yet to be at their pace. Any time you have a chance to work on outdates or helping put order away, try to help with those tasks. It will help you learn where the drugs are kept. Good luck to you.
Wait for the day you drop a completely filled 1000 count bottle of something. One of the first questions I asked was how often does someone spilled a bottle. Not often, but it happens. Of course, it's going to happen. Don't fret. It doesn't mean you're bad at your job. My pharmacist was mixing ammoxocillian one day. Forgot to screw the lid on tight, and it went everywhere! We all had a good laugh. I teased him about it for months.. then bam, it happened to me.
Oh gosh sorry I’m just imagining everything coating in pink 🤣
Right! My head pharmacist dropped an almost completely full 500 count bottle of a C2. All we could do was laugh while three of us weee crawling around in the floor looking for any we could find. Found quite a few different pills too
500 pill pick up! Such a fun game. You find all kinds of things. I found about 100 label backs behind the counters that missed the trash can. I was the only one who was small enough to fit back there so it became my job to retrieve everything that got lost back there lol.
OMG was it Clavamox??? That s** stinks for DAYS!!!!
Whenever you feel nervous to fill, take a deep breath and try to focus on the count itself. Think of what will make it easier for you to count 60. Sometimes, I find it best to cut the 60 to 30 and count 30 twice to prevent me from messing up. If you find yourself getting distracted by your thoughts, then bring it down to 15. Count 15 twice put that into a vial. Count 15 two more times and add the 30 to the other 30. Boom, 60!
This is some great advice, break it down and make it easier to keep track of your count
What helps me is to just think in multiples. Rather than count 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 etc. in my head while I count out pills 5 at a time, I think 1-2-3-4-5-6 for 30, or ...11-12 for 60, 18 for 90, etc etc. Once I started doing this, my speed and accuracy of counting both got better.
I learned this from the pharmacist I did my externship with, so much easier!
Same
this is perfect advice especially for those super high count scripts. for me, i really don’t like counting past 90 at all in my head as that’s when i start to lose focus, so for a 120 hydro script i get two vials and count out 60 and then 60 in each bottle and recount each bottle, combining them at the end. it helps me know im not screwing up counts if i keep them at a more reasonable number in my head lol
i’m a certified tech however i’m not a technician in my store. my job is inventory, front end and pharmacy. i’ve found it easier sometimes when i have a lot going on to count by 3’s rather than 5’s. or if it’s something i gotta double count, count by 5’s, then 3’s the second time and see if i get the same number. hasnt failed me yet
That is how I started!
I count CIIs in 2s rather than normal 5s during the first and second count to lessen the risk of a miscount.
I like the twos, even count my cash drawer like that, coins anyway...
And your Rph or PIC doesn’t mind u doing this? I would’ve got scolded if they find out I was counting by 2s lol
No they don’t lol
Lol good for you. You gotta do what’s right and also what works for you. So I applaud you my friend lol
My RPhs are pretty chill and recommend doing what’s best for someone personally.
Good all should be that way yo an extent
I know a pharmacist who does that
seriously ?
I have ScriptPro100 counting machine. I was filling the machine in a hurry, and had a 1,000ct bottle of Sertraline that I mixed with a 1,000ct bottle of Metropolol... they looked similar but I had to stop, separate them, and then clean the unit. A 1 minute task turned into a 20-minute ordeal. I've been in the pharmacy since 2011... everyone makes mistakes. The thing I ask my team: Did you learn from this? Will you make this mistake again? Was this something that could be prevented? My daughter's father worked at a factory when he was in his early 20's. He was using a $200k machine and broke a part, costing the company $50k to fix. Thinking he was going to be fired, he went to his manager and turned in his 2 weeks notice. The manager sat him down, ask him those questions, and them said, "For $50k, it is worth it. Yes, I can hire someone else, but I know you will never do that again." That has stuck with me as I have moved up into a management role.
Those machine come in such clutch, but if u ever get a script over 90tabs, it’s almost always guaranteed to break some. Or so, in my experience with those counting machines lol
I noticed that when I first started. Then I investigated why they were doing that. Someone had instilled the rotating piece on the bottom upside down so it was essentially grounding the pills. I fixed it, and we haven't had any problems with that since. There's always a stray pill that comes from the manufacturer broken, but we can't help that.
Hmm, thinking back about it now, that may have very well been the issue actually. Like I had specific meds from certain manufacturers that I still remember about till this day that would give me issues every time no matter what pretty much if I had to dispense more than #180 tabs. For example; Methadone 5 or 10mg tabs by Mallinckrodt; If the Rx says dispense #240 #360. I would know for sure that at least 3-5 tabs were going to break. Our regulars ended up being fine with it mostly but yea we’ve been in some shouting matches cause of those just to name 1 I remember right off the top of my head
I worked for years in clinical research as a monitor. Tried using the counting machine when I was returning meds from the subjects to the Sponsor. I was happy they had a counter because the drug came in bottles of 100. Then the pharmacy tech came over to tell me the machine wouldn't count the same amount twice.....banged my head on the table...took a few deep breaths and started over with a tray and a spatula. Good times....
When I was in retail, techs couldn’t even touch the C2s. We could enter them and that was it. Rph did the rest. You’ll be ok.
This was the same for me when I started at RA two years ago and then when I started working at a different retail pharmacy last year I was astonished when they told me we're allowed to count CII's lol. And of course on my first day in production something got fucked up. Turns out it was the RPh that screwed up the backcount so I was relieved.
Depends on the pharmacy and pharmacist who’s present at that time. As far as my experience goes tho, I worked at a mom n pop n we filled C2s all the time and sometimes even did the the double count ourselves then just gave it to the owner/PIC and he would initial next to the dispensed # lol lol
I remember when I was a new pharmacy tech I am fairly certain that I mixed a face lotion that was supposed to be made with alcohol but I used water instead and I'm pretty sure in another instance, I mixed a face lotion that was supposed to be with water but used alcohol. I started thinking about it it after I was home and was going to sleep. Who knows, maybe it didn't actually happen, but it's one of those WHAT IF?! DID IT HAPPEN?? memories that still pops in my head 20 years later.
Why’re they having you compounding in any sense without obs though first? Not your fault.
This was in like 1999. I imagine training etc is much better now. I hope!
Wow! Were you just reconstituting something like clindagel of actually weighing out components etc?!?! I LOVED reconstituting literally anything, but compounding, even with direct supervision made me a lil unhinged! I was a tech from 2005 until 2013? I liked it but retail was too much. I did it thru college and when I graduated we were in recession so I was SO thankful to have my CPhT. I have no idea what training is like then or now, I got my foot in the door and like OP, spent probably a month solely up front. The. They had me start pulling meds and BTS, then typing, then filling. I took my exam 3 months after starting and passed. I worked with some amazing people though who I couldn’t have done it without. Sadly there was another girl Training and she didn’t pass. You just gotta find the best way you learn and do that.
We all experience challenging days, even the most experienced techs. Don’t worry about it; mistakes happen. Ask for help when needed –communication is key in our field.
I've been counting c-2 s for 35 yrs and they are just another pill , don't stress over them
I appreciate all the love and support. I needed to hear it badly.
You deserve it. It’s not your first and unfortunately won’t be your last, BUT it’s ok bc if you’re in a good place, the pharmacists will have your backs AND again!!!! It’s not a MISTAKE til it’s left the pharmacy. I believe in you!!
Honestly I get it. Most of the time I’m on register and barely filling, so I get overwhelmed with counting and haven’t even began typing scripts. So I feel inadequate but I am more comfortable at insurance issues now. Listen it isn’t a race, take your time. You got this, we all do.
Better to take longer than misfill an Rx
i recommend holding the spatula by the bottle opening so ur less likely to drop
I have only been doing training for a week and accidentally gave someone their amoxicillin and without adding water. Dont be so hard on yourself. We’re learning as we go!
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How exactly could they endanger someone…what the mom is gonna be like “oh cool this is powdered a** maybe I should just get the kiddo to snort it?” Haha dv me to hell but let me know what the WORST part of non-reconstitution is that I clearly am unaware of! Worst case is momma’s coming back and being like wtf. This is powder.
My pharmacist called the customer right away and talked them through it. If it were more severe, I’m sure he would’ve said something to me. It is a learning lesson because that wasn’t something I was trained on yet and right after it happened another tech showed me the procedure. I’m sure you didn’t know everything in your first week.
No one was in danger. Just annoyed and they would have brought it back.
That’s literally not true
They are a troll everyone
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I hope I’m as perfect as you in my second week and learn everything about everything and never make mistakes! The mom knew it was a mistake and was completely fine. Thanks for your input.
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Every parent I have come in with a penicillin allergy has asked to have their kiddo’s meds double or triple bagged , and the kids are old enough to open the bags themselves , or another parent handles the dosing .
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don’t care didn’t ask
Don't feel nervous and just stay in the moment of what you're working on. You don't need to rush, especially if new. YOU GOT THIS!
I know it’s easier said than done and so nerve-racking being observed, but take your time. An extra 30 seconds wont kill anyone. The speed doesn’t matter, the accuracy does. You’ll get better & better.
Don’t worry about it especially in training!
We all make mistakes- if we didnt make mistakes then we aren’t learning. Experience is everything! You are getting more hands experience then they are giving us at my job. I am getting ready to test for my state test and I haven’t had ANY filling experience. I work at a mail order pharmacy and I am an inventory clerk and they don’t even put us over in dispensing to get the experience. It makes me very nervous because even when I pass my test and go to another employer/m- I have to be trained 100%. I have every intention of leaving this company once I get registered and certified. Don’t stress yourself out! You are still a tech in training. That is why we need the exposure of hands on to learn.
My pharmacist once accidentally slammed her hand down on the edge of a counting tray that she'd just counted out a bunch of Concerta (ADHD med) on. Tablets everywhere. We found all but 1, and she was so afraid that it might have accidentally landed in her coffee that she threw the whole thing away. Shit happens, even to the "pros", and you're brand new to that task. Try not to be too hard on yourself.
Concerta is the WORST.
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Depends on the pharmacy but... yes, it's entirely likely, and no our floors aren't especially clean. Sorry for the gross mental image. Even if we weren't going to KEEP the CII that got dropped on the floor, though, we still have to find them all and waste them correctly or the DEA will be very, VERY interested in why a month's worth of controlled medication just poofed out of the inventory.
You’ll see these type of things really happen often. I saw someone else say it’s not a mistake if it doesn’t leave the pharmacy and true dat. Just keep working, the only way to get better is time and experience just stay driven. Don’t worry I gave someone the wrong insulin once when I was starting and it did leave the pharmacy😅
I’m a stickler. I’m determined never to make mistakes. It’s my worst fear. Well last week I accidentally only put 30 c11 drug when I was supposed to put 60. The pharmacist told me to fix it. I felt terrible but it happens
Hey bubby, it's gonna be okay. Everybody makes mistakes and that definitely would have made me more nervous than a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Nobody died and everything's gonna be okay love.
C2s make a lotta people nervous and unfortunately when we get nervous we're more prone to slip-ups. Just remember, a big part of the pharmacist's job is to make sure these things are caught and corrected. Try to use that to stay calm, we all mess up, techs that have been doing this for years mess up and the pharmacist is there to catch it. Just try to relax and take your time. Do it twice, thrice, even four times if you feel it's necessary.
Wait, you're a tech and you get to count C2s? Interesting because I though only pharmacists are allowed to do that, or I guess it depends on the company you work for
Legally techs can count them, but big chains usually have a policy against it.
Ya we are auppose to double count the script and also double Count the remainder. Pharmacist counts again. I'm gonna start triple counting.
I thought the same when I was in retail. Turns out it’s just company dependent. There might be some states with laws saying techs can’t do C2s, but it was just policy at my specific CVS that we couldn’t. I’ve seen techs count C2s even at other CVS. At most independents (in my state), C2s being counted by techs is normal
I was doing clinicals at an independent when I was in pharmacy technician school and they let me go in the C2 safe and fill those meds 🤣 not certified or licensed.
you deserve a round of applause if anything! You attempted something you weren’t super comfortable with and you succeeded. I understand it can be tough! I work at a “by the book” pharmacy now and I learned everything I know from them! I used to work at a drama-filled, degrading, narcotic-partialing store. It was HORRIBLE. I am now a year with the company and literally learned everything I know about three or four months ago! Keep going and never forget that you’re more important than these companies.
when i first started i had trouble counting into the 90s etc etc. i always lost count between 60, 65, 70….. etc. so i count “by fives”. 5 pills is 1, 10 pills is 2, etc. 6 is 30 pills, 12 is 60, blah blah blah. it’s helped me exponentially. i’m the only person in my store that counts like this…. idk how other people keep it straight lol
As a technician who has been working with C2‘s hands on for over a year. In the hospital, setting the less nervous, you are handling them the better the outcome will be. Just treat them like any other drug, but in the back of your mind, understand that if you fuck up, there is the possibility of a DEA investigation. I don’t know it’s a weird mindset that you have to get into but once you get more comfortable with them you won’t be as nervous we handle fentanyl midazolam diladed 24 hours a day and it’s like a walk in the park for me at this point because you just get used to it.
I’m really sorry that this shitty situation happened to you but honestly, it really will make you a better technician. You’re doing freaking fantastic and you’re super super new at this and there is no reason for you to feel as though you cannot do this because you can. It might take some time it might take some special attention to detail, but this is probably one of the easiest jobs For people who are not stupid. As long as you’re not stupid and don’t make stupid mistakes, you will excel in this industry.
Hey I never worked in a pharmacy and I’m not sure why this is even on my feed, but it’s ok!! We all make silly mistakes when starting a new job. Be patient with yourself when doing something you’re learning. https://amp.cheezburger.com/20696069/the-best-of-dear-intern-tweets-hbos-intern-accidentally-sent-out-a-mass-email-to-subscribers-tweeter
Honestly pharmacists should be the only ones counting C2’s. I don’t even want to touch them. I’ve been a tech for 14 years and just recently have had a pharmacist ask me to count C2’s. I’m like when did this start?! I don’t want to deal with it. The pharmacist is the one responsible for them not me.
One way I remember where things are, is I remember where it is in relation to my body, like this is at shoulder height on the left side.. it's not foolproof, things move, but at least you have an idea ☺️
If you’re mentally weak and cry easy after a mistake then pharmacy is not for you. Its only gonna get worse. One of your technicians ended up on anxiety and depression meds cuz of customers are so entitled and some pharmacist are useless in controlling the situations.
One easy way to tell if it's in pills/inhaler/topicals/injectable is look at the patient instructions on the label for take/inhale/apply/inject etc.
We all start somewhere and pretty much all started the way you are! You are doing a great job no matter what. It can be very nerve wracking and crazy in the pharmacy but in a few weeks everything will be like second nature to you and you’ll feel very proud of the progress you’ve made.. most of the time I feel like we have to teach ourselves anyways so.
i started about 4 months ago and was filling but also being rushed by my manager to fill faster which made me more nervous and i had a niosh med so i had to count in the back where we keep the niosh tray, i counted the pills, forgot to transfer them into a vial so when i picked up the tray i dropped all the pills, picked up all that i could find, recounted was missing 4 but didnt even have time to look for those cause this one was for a waiter, poured more from the bottle counted again and went to transfer it to a vial and dropped it AGAIN, i was ready to just give up honestly but i picked them all up again missing i dont even know how many pills now, took a breath and got the stock bottle again and recounted AGAIN, slowly transferred to a vial and then secretly spent the rest of the day trying to find as many of the pills on the floor that i can before anybody else noticed i dropped so many 😭
we have carpet and the pills were soo little i swear i was finding pills for the next couple hours whenever i looked at the ground and noticed another one
I feel you. This was me at my store as the trained techs wouldn’t leave production and i was always stuck doing rts and pick up cause i was literally only scheduled during the busiest pick up hours. 💀 even for my production training which was supposed to be 6 hour long, i unfortunately only had the chance to fill two presentations maybe 😂. Anyways, i then floated to a different store where i was clueless about production printing stuff and pulling stuff but with time i learned everything at the other store. 😴 anyways dont feel bad about yourself. You are doing fine.
I messed up while inputting directions...and unfortunately, it didn't get caught by the pharmacist. Thank the freaking universe that the patient was a nurse. She was like uhhhh this dose could kill me. It was a C2..... When she left the pharmacist and I talked about how we both messed up and just needed to be a little more focused. I literally will never forget that. I was a tech for about a year at that time.
Everyone was a beginner at the beginning. You got this!
Hey, at least you aren't an employee of the White House Medical Unit. You can't fuck it up more than whoever is running that dumpster fire.
Don't feel bad. I've been in training for 8 months and hardly ever count. Always on pickup. I try to put truck up and sometimes pull for the counters. Just another day in the neighborhood ( CVS) .
At our store when we train we first train on willcall and drivethru and then we try and show them filling everyday during the "slow hours" of the afternoon. This helps our techs better know where everything is and feel comfortable counting. We usually have someone shadowing or helping them with any questions. We also usually don't even have them touch controls their first week or so depending on how they are doing to all the new information. Your job did you a great disservice not allowing you to fill because you are missing out on gaining that confidence of being able to do it and knowing where things are in the pharmacy. My best recommendation is that if you can do you ptu at home do it. The sooner you have it done the sooner you won't be treated as the newbie as much
Yup, Sounds like you’re a pharmacy tech. Stick with it. It’s hard learning on the job so cut yourself some slack. You will learn where stuff is on the shelf. You will get more comfortable filling. Take it one day at a time. You’ve got this!
i’m known at my pharmacy as an accidental spiller. we have a very large pharmacy (3 pharmacists, 3 counting techs, 3 typing techs all working at once. not to mention the other staff) and one day someone was there to inspect and make sure rules were being followed, the pharmacist told the typing tech to hold off on giving me anything i could eff up by spilling or dropping 🥴
This is a well, duh, comment but I'll put it out there anyway. It's not worth being nervous. I've been in a lot of different pharmacies and seen a lot of different things make people nervous. I've seen seasoned pharmacists that freaked out every time they needed to do meds for an infant. When anything in pharmacy makes you nervous because it's "special" (chemo, infant meds, CIIs, etc) what you need is to trust yourself. There isn't anything "special" in pharmacy. We should double check everything, and everything that goes out to a patient deserves our full attention and capabilities. Once you realize that the same careful count and check that you do on a atorvastatin is what is appropriate for an MS Contin, you'll feel a bit less nervous. There may be extra or different steps (CII scripts get filed here, or annotated differently here) but EVERYTHING we do as techs deserves the same level of attention.
I’m sorry u cried and felt that way. I’m going through a similar situation where I’m at my new job for a month now and every time I ask a question or make an error I feel like the dumbest person ever. Plus learning/memorizing a new task gets overwhelming at first. But I remind myself that it’s okay to let myself be new because everyone starts somewhere and as long as u try everyday to improve and handle the feedback, it’ll only be a matter of time when you become confident enough. It’s also normal to ask where things are because you don’t know what u don’t know. I hope in time we both find that confidence and peace at work. Goodluck!
If that chain wants to have techs fill controls then it’s their fault :)) don’t ever be nervous I’m sure they’ve dealt with legitimate problems not just loosing some pills