In the not so distant past when you walked into a pharmacy needing to get a prescription filled you would have, in most instances, found that your prescription was actually filled by the on duty pharmacists. However, over the past few years a change has occurred in the pharmacist arena and that change is, “a pharmacist probably no longer filling your prescriptions”. Although pharmacists are on duty wherever medications are dispensed; today in most instances, a pharmacy technician or pharmacy assistant are the ones filling prescriptions.Pharmacy Technicians and assistants have existed for some time but their roles have evolved for a variety of reasons. A big reason is that they help to reduce health care costs because they get paid much less than a certified pharmacist. Another important reason is that it simply makes sense. Pharmacy technicians and assistants are trained to handle routine work (fill prescriptions and customer service), which frees up the pharmacists to focus more of their time on supervisory duties, as well as patient care.Melissa Murer, Executive Director of the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board, put it this way, “Pharmacists are becoming more focused on patient care, so pharmacy technicians are needed to perform more of the distributive functions.”In this brief (but hopefully informative article) I attempt to demonstrate what pharmacy technician and assistants do and where they do it.In general, they assist licensed pharmacists in providing medication and health care to patients by preparing and filling prescriptions and performing clerical tasks. Duties are similar but pharmacy technicians generally have more responsibilities. In addition, technicians and assistants are required to be closely supervised by a licensened pharmacist, although the laws defining what “being supervised” entails, varies by state.In addition to having all of their prescriptions checked by a pharmacist, technicians and assistants must also direct all patient questions regarding drug information, health matters or prescriptions to the pharmacist.Pharmacy Technicians
Technicians follow specific procedures when filling prescriptions. After receiving an initial prescription or refill request, they must verify that the prescription information is accurate and then count, pour, retrieve, weigh, measure and if necessary, mix the required medication for the prescription. The next step is to prepare and affix the labels to the proper container. After filling the prescription the technician will then price and file it. Another important aspect of a technician’s job is to prepare patient insurance forms and establish and maintain patient profiles.In retail pharmacies, technicians will also stock and take inventory of medications (both prescription and over-the-counter) maintain equipment and help manage the till.In many hospitals, technicians have the responsibility to read the doctors orders from a patients’ chart, prepare and then deliver the medication after it’s been checked by a pharmacist. They may also enter information about patients’ medical records (regarding their medications) or put together a supply (normally 24 hours) of medicine for patients, including the labeling and packaging of each dose. But just like technicians working in a retail pharmacy, each package is checked by the supervising pharmacist before being given to a patient and they also maintain inventories of medicine and other supplies.Pharmacy Assistants
Duties are similar to pharmacy technicians and while hospitals and pharmacies employ pharmacy assistants, the number of available positions is generally less than technicians. In retail pharmacies they work as clerks or cashiers, answer phones, handle money and perform clerical duties. In hospitals they also deliver medications and assist in stocking shelves.Pharmacy technicians and assistants work in clean well-organized areas but are required to spend most of their workday on their feet. And because more and more pharmacies are open 24-hours a day work hours can vary with technicians and assistants are often required to work odds hours (nights, evenings and weekends). Therefore, there are many opportunities to work part-time in 24-hour pharmacies. In addition, a percentage of both technicians and assistants work part time because they are studying to become pharmacists.States have traditionally required a one-to-one ratio of pharmacist to technician but that is also expected to change. Mark Boesen, Director of Government and Student Affairs for the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, has stated that: “Many of the major employers of technicians are expanding the number of their facilities and boards of pharmacy in some States are allowing the legal ratio of technicians to pharmacists to expand. This is a very promising field to work in.”An increasing demand for technicians with greater responsibility has prompted some States to revise their one-to-one ratio of pharmacist to technician to two or three technicians per pharmacist.As pharmacy technicians take on more and more tasks previously performed by pharmacists, they must also learn and master new technology. A good example is the increased use (by many pharmacies) of robotic machines to dispense medicines. Technicians will be required to oversee the machine, stock bins and label containers.This article may be reproduced only in its entirety.
Pharmacy Technician – A Closer Look
Shoe Repairs And Several Other Things When I Was 7
Shoe Repairs And Several Other Things When I Was 7
My Dad repaired most of our shoes believe it or not, I can hardly believe it myself now. With 7 pairs of shoes always needing repairs I think he was quite clever to learn how to “Keep us in shoe Leather” to coin a phrase!
He bought several different sizes of cast iron cobbler’s “lasts”. Last, the old English “Laest” meaning footprint. Lasts were holding devices shaped like a human foot. I have no idea where he would have bought the shoe leather. Only that it was a beautiful creamy, shiny colour and the smell was lovely.
But I do remember our shoes turned upside down on and fitted into these lasts, my Dad cutting the leather around the shape of the shoe, and then hammering nails, into the leather shape. Sometimes we’d feel one or 2 of those nails poking through the insides of our shoes, but our dad always fixed it.
Hiking and Swimming Galas
Dad was a very outdoorsy type, unlike my mother, who was probably too busy indoors. She also enjoyed the peace and quiet when he took us off for the day!
Anyway, he often took us hiking in the mountains where we’d have a picnic of sandwiches and flasks of tea. And more often than not we went by steam train.
We loved poking our heads out of the window until our eyes hurt like mad from a blast of soot blowing back from the engine. But sore, bloodshot eyes never dampened our enthusiasm.
Dad was an avid swimmer and water polo player, and he used to take us to swimming galas, as they were called back then. He often took part in these galas. And again we always travelled by steam train.
Rowing Over To Ireland’s Eye
That’s what we did back then, we had to go by rowboat, the only way to get to Ireland’s eye, which is 15 minutes from mainland Howth. From there we could see Malahide, Lambay Island and Howth Head of course. These days you can take a Round Trip Cruise on a small cruise ship!
But we thoroughly enjoyed rowing and once there we couldn’t wait to climb the rocks, and have a swim. We picnicked and watched the friendly seals doing their thing and showing off.
Not to mention all kinds of birdlife including the Puffin.The Martello Tower was also interesting but a bit dangerous to attempt entering. I’m getting lost in the past as I write, and have to drag myself back to the present.
Fun Outings with The camera Club
Dad was also a very keen amateur photographer, and was a member of a camera Club. There were many Sunday photography outings and along with us came other kids of the members of the club.
And we always had great fun while the adults busied themselves taking photos of everything and anything, it seemed to us. Dad was so serious about his photography that he set up a dark room where he developed and printed his photographs.
All black and white at the time. He and his camera club entered many of their favourites in exhibitions throughout Europe. I’m quite proud to say that many cups and medals were won by Dad. They have been shared amongst all his grandchildren which I find quite special.
He liked taking portraits of us kids too, mostly when we were in a state of untidiness, usually during play. Dad always preferred the natural look of messy hair and clothes in the photos of his children.
All About Exfoliating for Organic Skin Care
If the Bible were about skin care there would only be five commandments. Exfoliating is the second of the five commandments of skin care. Unfortunately, most people actively follow only one of these five commandments/rules; most people only do 20% of what they should be doing for proper skin care. Dermatologists, cosmeticians, and beauticians could, and have, for years given tips and recommendations for great skin care. However, most of these tips are irrelevant or are less effective if you are not fulfilling the five most basic rules, needs, necessities, requisites, and requirements for great skin. These five rules should be considered the foundation for any great skin care system. Like any foundation, they can be built and expanded upon (for example by the said tips by skin care professionals mentioned above) – you just have to get the basics covered first. We recommend that you use organic and all natural skin care products because the dangers of using harsh (potentially carcinogenic) chemicals on your skin are simply not worth the risk – however, even before you consider using organic skin care products you should at the very least be following the five commandments of skin care.ExfoliatingAlthough exfoliating is one of the most important steps in a skin care regimen, it is far too often completely skipped by people. This is a big skin care mistake; every type of skin will benefit from exfoliation at least twice a week. The reason that you need to continually exfoliate is because the lower layers of skin regenerate new skin cells and new skin which are pushed up to the top layer of the skin leaving dead skin on the surface layer. Exfoliation will remove these dead skin cells as well as any excess oil, dirt, makeup, dust, harsh chemicals, and any other pollutant left on the top layer of the skin after cleansing. Effective exfoliation leaves the skin soft, refreshed, and smooth. Effective exfoliation will also allow toners and moisturizers to penetrate deeper into the skin. A note of interest here is that in the same way that exfoliation opens up your pores for toners and moisturizers to penetrate deep into the skin it can also allow dirt, dust, harsh chemicals from skin care products, and other pollutants to penetrate deeper into the skin so you want to make sure you close your pores before going about your day. It has been suggested that men have softer skin than women over the lifetime of their skin likely because they shave everyday which helps to remove the top layer of dead skin which is a form of exfoliation in itself. These dead skin cells need to be gently exfoliated off the surface layer to prevent clogged pores.Just like cleansing, you want to make sure that you do not over-exfoliate which can cause surface irritation and redness and may cause your natural oils to spiral out of control. You also want to make sure you gently exfoliate in a circular motion. Do not scrub too hard; your skin is not a garage floor and should not be treated like one. Be very gentle with your skin to prevent premature aging. You may want to aim to exfoliate anywhere from twice a week to every other day. You will have to do some trial and error to find the right balance for your skin. Some people like to use an exfoliating cleanser to keep things simple but if you insist on having two separate products like we suggest it is best to cleanse before you exfoliate so that you can clean dust and grime off the top layer of skin before opening up your pores. Just like cleansing, you want to spend about three times longer rinsing your skin than scrubbing. Also, some people only like to exfoliate in the winter months or use different scrubs for the summer months and the winter months. This is because in the winter the dead skin cells on the surface can dry your skin out even more so than summer months because the skin is already prone to drying and produces less sebum in the summer. For this reason, at Giddy Organics, we offer scrubs that are designed for winter months as well as scrubs for summer months.