A job is defined as “a regular activity performed in exchange for payment, especially as one’s trade, occupation, or profession.”

A career is defined as “a profession for which one trains and which is undertaken as a permanent calling.”

A profession is defined as “a calling requiring specialized knowledge and preparation.”

In my opinion, for some, being a pharmacy technician is simply a job. For many others, it’s a career and it’s a profession. It all depends upon what an individual puts into it and, likewise, expects to get out of it. The individual  working as a pharmacy technician just while finishing college likely doesn’t view himself as a professional, whereas the mother of two who has been working as a pharmacy technician for 15 years probably does consider this her profession. This does not make one group “right” or “better than” another group.

For me personally, being a pharmacy technician is my profession and I’m proud to declare it as such.  I presume the same is true for the majority of our readers and members. However you choose to answer the question for yourself, remember to always demonstrate professionalism to your patients, your pharmacists and your co-workers.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this subject.

Take our quick poll and voice your opinion as to whether you view pharmacy technician as a job, a career or a profession:

Monday Afternoon (10-19-2009)
While driving home from work yesterday I heard a radio commercial exclaiming that the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo would begin selling tickets for two packages of shows beginning Tuesday morning at 8:30 am. The first package included performances by the Jonas Brothers and Tim McGraw; the second package showcased Brad Paisley and Brooks & “Done.”

If you’re not from Houston, let me explain Rodeo Houston: The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo is big….real big…like as big as Texas big. Every March, Houston dedicates three weeks to celebrating all things rodeo (bull riding, horses, chuck wagons, cowboy hats), and a concert featuring mega-stars is incorporated into each rodeo. Tens of thousands attend daily and proceeds go to provide educational scholarships to local kids. Since 1957, over $130 million has been given in scholarships – which is pretty awesome!

Now although I am not personally fan of The Jonas Brothers…I have an 11-year old and 14-year old niece who have drank a lot of the Jonas brand Kool-Aid. So as any good Uncle would do, I decided that it would be a great treat to purchase tickets and surprise them with a chance to see their version of the Beatles LIVE!

To try and outsmart all of the other tween parents I called the Conceriege Service that comes complimentary with my American Express Platinum card – since one of the perks that they market is the ability to acquire performance tickets prior to general release dates.

The young man I spoke with at AMEX was incredibly polite, but explained that the Houston Rodeo does not permit early ticket purchases. He quickly offered to have a colleague purchase my tickets on Tuesday morning at precisely 8:30 am. I was impressed, so I said sure…”but you’ve got to make sure that it’s done right at 8:30 am because the good seats will sell out in minutes!”

I explained that I wanted 4 seats…best seating available…after all, nothing is too good for my niece, right?

He explained that he could not give me a specific price for the seats, but stated that the front row seats were $300 and the next best seating was $75. Knowing that the $300 seats would already have been sold to the sponsors, I agreed, but reiterated the importance of doing this right on time.

He then read some terms and conditions: “you are giving us authority to charge your card…blah, blah, blah….non-refundable…blah, blah, blah…I said “Sure, that’s fine, but again – please make sure someone does this at exactly 8:30 am.”

Tuesday Morning (10-20-2009)
I woke up early with a splitting headache, which I hardly ever get. After enjoying some coffee and a walk with K9Bella, I started thinking about the Rodeo tickets…doubting that a big company like American Express would actually take care of the request right at 8:30 am, as promised.

At around 8:20 am I went into my home office and decided to pull up the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo website – just to check it out. I was also considering whether I should order some tickets “just to be safe.”

While looking around the website, I didn’t see anything about ordering tickets for those two shows, so I kept looking around. I saw a link for Season Ticket Information so I thought I would take a look at what the full lineup was set to be. (Yes, they do offer season tickets for the Houston Rodeo…I told you it was big down here) Interestingly, when I clicked on the link – there was a “Buy Now” link to order Mini Season Ticket packages. So I clicked it just to see if those “best seats” ($300) were still available – and hoping/expecting not….but they were, so I quickly backed out and then I noticed a press release stating that the Mini Season tickets were going to be available for purchase starting at 8:30 am on Tuesday, October 20.

It was 8:26 am.

Then I noticed that there were two (2) Mini Season Ticket packages – one included performances by the Jonas Brothers and Tim McGraw (all other performances still to be announced) and  the second package showcased Brad Paisley and Brooks & “Done” (again with all other performances still to be announced).

It was 8:27 am.

Suddenly, it hit me. Like a ton of bricks. I ran through the house looking for my phone and then back through the house looking for my wallet.

I grabbed my AMEX card and threw it over to find the number to the concierge service on the back…I started dialing…then I had to press “1″ for this…and “2″ for that…meanwhile I am having a panic attack!

A lady answered and asked for my account number, which I mumbled through to quickly tell her that I had an emergency…that I needed to recall the request to purchase tickets I’d made the day before…that was likely occurring as we spoke.

She put me on hold.

After four or five minutes (which felt like an entire season of 24), she returned to the phone to explain that she had run over to her colleague that had my account/request pulled up and was just about to hit submit on my order. She stopped him just in time.

Then I explained that based on the radio commercial I had heard, I was under the assumption that I had ordered 4 tickets to the two (2) specific shows mentioned. I was completely unaware that it was a Mini Season Ticket package which included NINE shows.

The “best seats” for the “package” are priced at $6,000….Six Thousand Dollars…and they were still available….understandably!

I had requested 4 tickets, which would have cost me $24,000….Twenty-Four Thousand Dollars…OMG!!!!! I literally came within 45 seconds of having $24,000 worth of tickets to smell horse shit and listen to the freaking Jonas Brothers!!!

At that moment, I felt the amazing sensation of tremendous relief and embarrassment simultaneously…what I assume a Rodeo Clown must feel like after being chased by a bull and just barely surviving. Therefore, I am the Unofficial Houston Rodeo Clown, sans a red rubber nose.

My soldiers guardian angels put in a full day’s work before most even get out of bed.

In the past, pharmacy technicians have been recognized on National Pharmacy Technician Day (the 3rd Tuesday of each October), however this originated as a part of National Pharmacy Week. Since the APhA launched October as American Pharmacy Month a few years ago, we are considering making the shift to recognize technicians for an entire week. This is the approach that ASHP takes with Health-System Pharmacy Week.

Each day of the week could be designated to recognize pharmacy technicians working in various practice settings, ie Retail Pharmacy Technician Day, Health-System Pharmacy Technician Day, Pharmacy Technician Educators Day, etc.

We want your thoughts, feedback & suggestions.

My point is, however, that I love reading and I also love to give away books that I really like and make recommendations to others. In fact, I even started publishing “What I’m Reading Now” as part of my Life Focus article that is published in Today’s Technician – the magazine for pharmacy technicians – years ago.

Now that I have started www.rxmike.com – the official blog of Mike Johnston, CPhT, I think it only makes sense to start a monthly RxMike Book Club. Here’s how it’s going to work: each month I will select a book that I find compelling, impactful, inspiring or interesting…provide a brief description…and then post a related question for your comments. One comment will be selected randomly to receive a FREE copy of that month’s book. Pretty simple.

For my first Book Club selection, I’ve chosen the first book that I read that made a major impact on me…Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers, PhD. The book teaches how to turn fear into personal power and action…an important lesson for us all.

When we see the world and live our life with a positive mental attitude, it becomes possible for us to deal with life in a much more efficient manner. We become responsible people. The author says that responsibility is a must. If we are to come up in life, then we have to stop blaming other people. - from www.reviewstream.com

TO ENTER TO WIN A FREE COPY of Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway – LEAVE A COMMENT:
—– What is something that you fear and want to overcome?

The winner will be selected randomly on Friday, June 5th at 4:00 PM (CDT).
Follow me on twitter for the announcement of the winner.

net·work·ing

Sounds boring, I know, but the truth is that networking with colleagues is critical to success…and with the advent of online social media networks, it can be a lot of fun.

Here are three steps to get started.

1. Select a new group or network to join (see suggestions below)

2. Share a little bit about yourself with the group, list your areas of experience/expertise and offer to be of assistance to the members. (Remember, networking is a two-way street)

3. Stay active in the group dialouge – whether that is answering questions, posting questions, sharing news/information. This doesn’t need to be a daily task, but try to stay connected at least once a week.

Suggested Networking Groups for Pharmacy Technicians

1. NPTA Group on Facebook
2. NPTA Group on LinkedIn
3. NPTA on Twitter
4. NPTA Discussion Forums
5. CPhTLink Discussion Forums

If you are skeptical, I challenge you to try this for just 3 months and then reevaluate.

This soup is somehow hearty enough for the winter and yet light enough for the summer. Who knows, maybe this recipe will be added to the blog for soup and stew recipes…if so, I only hope they keep the name “RxMike’s Rustic Vegetable Soup.”

Here is the recipe…

What you need:

• 1.5 qt of vegetable broth (I use organic, vegetarian vegetable broth)
• 1 can of corn, drained (or better yet 2 ears of fresh, sweet corn)
• 1 can of cut green beans, drained (again, fresh is always better)
• 1 can of navy beans, drained (or your favorite kind of bean)
• 1 can of diced tomatoes, drained (fresh…fresh…fresh)
• 15 oz. tomato sauce
• 3-4 medium russet potatoes, cubed (you can also use red potatoes – just adjust qty)
• 4-6 carrots, sliced
• 4-5 celery stalks, sliced
• 1 white onion, diced
• 1-2 zucchini, sliced or diced
• 1-2 yellow squash, sliced or diced
• 2 tbsp. garlic (the real stuff…no powder here)
• thyme (I use fresh herbs from my garden, and just add until it tastes good)
• oregano (see above)
• 1 bay leaf
• olive oil
• salt/pepper

Directions:

1. Using a large soup pot, saute the garlic and onion until almost transparent, then add the carrots and celery and saute for several minutes.
2. Add the vegetable stock and tomato sauce; mix well.
3. Add all of the vegetables, herbs, seasonings; mix well.
4. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for approximately 90 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Remove the bay leaf…serve with some cornbread and sweet tea…and your in heaven!

Makes approx. 4 quarts (8-12 servings)

As many of you know, I also serve as the Publisher of Today’s Technician magazine (the first magazine ever developed specifically for pharmacy technicians…). When we launched the publication in 2000, I had no clue about publishing a magazine and after 10 years I still learn from each issue that goes to press.

One of the ways that I have evolved as a publisher is to read and review a ton of magazines….seriously, just ask my assistant, Laura. I scour magazines from all sectors, interests and niches, but it is always a bonus to review magazines that are dedicated to topics that I am passionate about – like sharks.

Shark Diver magazine is one of the roughly 60 magazines I subscribe to and/or review. It is dedicated to a niche group of individuals (including myself) not unlike Today’s Technician. Eli Martinez, the editor at Shark Diver magazine has recently embarked on a project of blogging about “the making of the magazine.” I certainly connect with a lot of Eli’s comments, such as:

The mag is finally out of my hands and into the printers dirty mittens. Ya! This issue turned into one of the longest issues I have ever worked on. I took my time with each layout, making sure it looked good, but damn. I am just glad it is out of my hands now, and I now all I have to worry about is my back and forth emails and calls between me and the printer. Of course now I sit and worry about color and editing mistakes, and so on. Its a never ending thing. But at least I am done with this mag and I can somewhat rest for a day or two before it starts all over again.
(April 22, 2009 – http://sharkdivermag.com/makingthemag.html)

If you are interested in getting a sneak peek into the life and mind of a niche magazine editor/publisher….or you want to learn a little more about why on earth people like myself enjoy diving with sharks, check out the blog at http://sharkdivermag.com/makingthemag.html

The people are ill
Oh what the heck!
Let’s get to work cause
I’m a pharmacy tech.

People are coughing
All over the counter top
Cover your mouths
So the germs will stop.

While on their cell phone
You ask, “been here before?”
They reply with a yes
And my birthday is May 5th, 1944.

This will take about 40 minutes
Oh no they’re gonna have to wait
They gather their things
As they walk away with a face of hate.

Here comes a mom with her kids
One is crying, the other is sick.
Mom asks for a trashcan
To throw away a lollipop stick.

Oh joy some grumpy customers
What a way to start the day.
Now what in the world 
Does this freakin prescription say?

For the adult with a cough
How about Tussionex and a Zpak.
They’re breathing funny too,
So let’s fill their prednisone pack.

The medicine tastes so yucky
Let’s make mom so very merry
See if the kid wants apple
Grape, watermelon or cherry?

The insurance comes back with an error
Tussionex requires a prior auth.
Try to explain that to the patient
“Pay for the syrup OR keep the cough!”

Then I’m interrupted
Over there by Mr. John Doe.
The crazy customer wants to know
“How do I get this fungus off my toe?”

Before you finish helping him
Another impatient customer is there.
She needs some butterfly bandaids, 
And asks, “Where is the first aid care?”

I finish, and walk back in the door
Oh, wonderful, it’s the ringing telephone
It’s good ol’ Betty Jean asking
“When can I fill my hydrocodone?”

Here comes the last minute customer
“Doctor said it’s on your $4 list”
Two of them are, the other is not
They are now a little bit pissed.

All the typing and the counting
On the free drug reps tray
Dealing with customers and doctors
For what? Very little pay.

As I start to wonder if this job is worth it
Others are wondering what the heck?
Your boss comes over to you and says
“Thanks for your hard work! You’re a great Pharmacy Tech!!!”

*****
Posted with permission of the author, Eileen Neumyer, CPhT.

Have you heard about…The Pharmacy Alliance (TPA)…not if the chain pharmacy corporate offices have anything to do with it! TPA was established in 2008 and is focused on bringing back dignity, self-respect and integrity to pharmacy professionals, including pharmacy technicians (kudos).

The TPA website details their 13 guiding principles as being:
 

1. Pharmacy professionals will request direct compensation, in addition to their wage, for providing specialized professional services.

2. Pharmacy professionals will insist upon a 30-minute uninterrupted meal break for every 8 hour shift and an additional 15 minute uninterrupted rest period for a 12 hour shift.

3. Pharmacy professionals will feel empowered to use the word “no” when faced with undignified, unprofessional, dangerous, dishonest, insulting or offensive situations.

4. Pharmacy professionals will counsel patients when appropriate and will advocate for a professional environment and for patient safety.

5. Pharmacy professionals will insist on being managed by pharmacists and not by non-pharmacist managers.

6. Pharmacy professionals will not tolerate abuse under any circumstances, directed toward themselves or their staff.

7. Pharmacy professionals should not sign a “sign-on bonus” agreement until the company representative signs a TPA  “Sign On DSI agreement”.

8. Pharmacy professionals will not engage in promoting undignified prescription pricing policies that do not provide for reasonable profit and are an insult to our standing as professionals.

9. Pharmacy professionals will not accept compensation as a substitute for DSI.

10. Pharmacy professionals will advocate working in pharmacies where the physical layout of the department safeguards privacy and safety. Pharmacies should be ergonomically designed.

11. Pharmacy drive-thru areas should only be responsible for dispensing pharmacy-related products if sufficiently staffed.

12. A pharmacist will determine who is assigned to work in the pharmacy.

13. TPA will advocate for certification and licensure requirements for pharmacy technicians in all 50 states.