Why I became a Pharmacy Technician and a story of my life.

Departing from the normal news items posted here, I am writing a personal Blog entry. A short story on why I am here today.  A second read, I think is seems a bit egotistical and narcissistic. Though I don’t really want to come across that way. I’m just reflecting. Hope you enjoy.

Just around 8 years and 9 months ago, I was faced with having to carefully craft a plan for the rest of my life. Sometimes it does not go as planned.

I was soon graduating from college, and was told by my girlfriend that she was pregnant.  And after a day of sheer panic, I had to start thinking.  3 months down the line I would be a graduate. 7 months later I would be a father. It was time to start job hunting.

After doing my final internship, I got my diploma in Multimedia and Web Design.  I had a number of promising offers and job leads in some metropolitan areas, but after talking with my partner, we decided it was best to move to the country where she was raised and have the baby there.  The support of her family was essential to our survival as young parents. I was only 20 years old.

Work there in my field was nonexistent and I was not too keen on the idea of spending 4 hours a day on a train commuting to the city. Especially since i would have an infant at home.  So I took a job managing an independent movie theater while I did freelance work on the side.

The theater gig was great. I got paid to talk about movies to the customers. Often times, i would be discussing a film with a customer who themselves were actors in that very movie.

Of course, with that job came long weekends and holidays. My son’s first Christmas, I worked. Easter, I worked.  You get the picture.  So I began looking for a job that would more suit my need to be home with the family on such important days.

The mother of my son’s babysitter was working for the pharmacy at the time.  One day in conversation I brought up my new job hunt and she suggested I come in for an interview, and I got the job.

I started with the mindset that it was just a paycheck. Punch in, Punch out. Weekends and holidays off. And soon i realized that it takes more than that to do this job right.  And to top it off, I liked it. It was challenging to step into a role with no experience to thrive and succeed.

So for over 5 years I have worked as a Pharmacy Technician, became Certified, and set a new standard within the company on what is expected to be a Pharmacy Technician for our independent chain (to brag a little).  I’ve become to realize the potential for grown in this career and I support techs who want to become certified and work to become more than “just a tech”.  I’ve transferred my love for technology into becoming a respected consultant on our pharmacy’s use of technology and the internet to improve productivity and business. It’s an amazing feeling. Knowing that my work at this company is appreciated and needed.

Taking on this website was another thing. I was an active poster on the PTCB.org message board community, and when that disappeared I wanted to make something to fill that void. I got a degree in this stuff.. i figured i could do something.

I bought some server space and put up forum.cphtlink.com.  Though it is no where near as successful and active as the other deceased message board, it still offered some fun, random, and informative conversation.  Then the main page evolved into a place for me to share an article or two. Some weeks are slow in news, and some are better.  I’d like to thank everyone continues to vist it.

Yesterday, my son turned 8 years old.  I still remember the gamut of feelings while expecting and the highs and lows that followed in fatherhood.  From the first day of school, to the separation of parents and custody.  Getting though personal life challenges and coming to work focused on patient care and customer service.   Becoming a better person and employee is all because of the nature of the job; the need to be focused and together when someone’s life is, for all intents and purposes, in the hands of the pharmacist.  Being part of that team.

I still do my freelance whenever I can, but now when people ask me what I do I proudly include CPhT in my answer.

So I ask the techs that read this…Why did you become a Pharmacy Technician? Leave a Comment, or post on the forums. I always love to hear from others.

And Happy Birthday, Joshua. This kid is my life. I’m lucky to be a single father who gets to spend nearly every free moment with my son. He’s funny, unique, and the best thing that ever happened to me.