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Will I have to ring the cash register?
If
you work in a retail (community) pharmacy, then yes, you probably will have to
ring the cash register.
Is there anything special I should be aware of when ringing-out customer’s
prescriptions?
Yes. There are added
responsibilities when working a cash register in a pharmacy as opposed to other
jobs. To name a few:
- You will be responsible for ensuring that strict patient confidentiality is always
adhered to.
Never let anyone overhear or see
what medication/s a patient is receiving and never let anyone overhear or see
the personal information of a patient.
- You will be responsible for making sure the patient receives his or her own
prescription.
Often, there are customers with the same or similar names that patronize
the same pharmacy. Always be certain you are dealing with the correct
prescription and customer – possibly by asking the address of the patient and
comparing it to the address on the prescription receipt.
- You will be responsible for making sure the patient receives the correct number
of prescriptions.
Often, multiple prescriptions are to be picked up at one time but may be in
separate bags for some reason. – Ask the customer how many prescriptions he
or she is picking up.
- You must always ask the customer if he or she "has any questions
for the pharmacist about his or her medication/s"– and manually
log their refusal or acceptance of pharmacist counseling.
- You will be responsible for ensuring that any notes attached to the
prescription receipt are acted upon.
A note may be attached to (or written on) a prescription
receipt for many possible reasons:
- Special counseling may be needed.
- The drug is being stored in the refrigerator.
- The drug needs to be mixed prior to dispensing.
- There may be a certain problem that needs to be addressed, etc.
- You will be responsible for always acting in a professional manner
and providing customer service to the best of your ability.
Always treat people with the same
respect and courtesy that you yourself would like to be treated.
What is "patient confidentiality"? Patient
confidentiality is the privacy every customer and patient must be provided. The
health care profession takes patient confidentiality very seriously. The
discussion of a patients medical conditions, therapy and personal information
outside of the pharmacy is strictly prohibited. This information must never
be overheard by other customers, by the non-pharmacy store staff or by pharmacy
staff in a non-professional manner. The
importance of patient confidentiality can not be stressed enough.
What is an NDC number?
An NDC number is a number
assigned to all prescription drugs. It consists of three different sets of
numbers.
An example of an NDC number:
NDC 01254-2121-10
- The first set of numbers (5 digits) is the code for the manufacturer.
- The second set of numbers (4 digits) is the code for the drug and
its specific strength.
-The third set of numbers (2 digits) is the code for the package size
in which the drug is packaged.
