So, we have a new pharmacist. As in, just graduated this spring, ink is still wet on his license new. He's young, late twenties, ever-so-slightly arrogant, wicked sense of humor and mischief, big fan of fantasy and sci-fi, has a habit of hitting/slapping/pretend kicking people he knows will be okay with it, and frequently says totally inappropriate things. Obviously he fits right in with our humble madhouse. (He's also drop-dead gorgeous, but that's just a perk.)
Most importantly though he's proven so far to be very efficient and competent. Things have been going smoothly and uneventfully since he joined us, about a month or so ago, and then I woke up to some texts from my fellow cashier, Whovian, this morning. Patient came in to pick up some prescription cream last night. There was some kerfuffle and insurance issues, and my partner says she was incredibly rude to our pharmacy manager, who was trying to explain things to her and she kept interrupting him. PM was actually done with his shift, but had returned for something he'd left behind. When he had grabbed his stuff and was getting ready to really leave this time, he noticed the patient talking to our new guy at the other end of the pharmacy. Whovian said she had asked for a consultation and then asked him if she could apply the cream right then. He desperately, desperately wanted to say no, but being new and not really thinking of a reason why not, he said sure, thinking she might discreetly put some on in the area needed.
No. Oh no. This woman pulled the front of her shirt clear up to her neck and started smearing permethrin all over her front, wanting new guy to see exactly what she had, while Boss and Whovian looked on in horror.
Scabies. She had scabies. She was also mid-to-late aged, horrid red dye job, and obvious signs of past meth abuse. And our pretty new pharmacist got to see it all. He and Whovian spent the next several minutes dousing their hands, arms, the counter, and anything else nearby with rubbing alcohol and had sympathy itching for the rest of the night.
We had to give him shit about it when he came in today, and while he took it like a champ, he did kind of have that split second where he looked like he either wanted to cry or throw up, or both. It's been considered his official induction into our group and the world of retail pharmacy, as most of us have acquired horrifying and disgusting tales in great numbers and now he has one, too.
Here's to you, New Guy. May you have many more.
Most importantly though he's proven so far to be very efficient and competent. Things have been going smoothly and uneventfully since he joined us, about a month or so ago, and then I woke up to some texts from my fellow cashier, Whovian, this morning. Patient came in to pick up some prescription cream last night. There was some kerfuffle and insurance issues, and my partner says she was incredibly rude to our pharmacy manager, who was trying to explain things to her and she kept interrupting him. PM was actually done with his shift, but had returned for something he'd left behind. When he had grabbed his stuff and was getting ready to really leave this time, he noticed the patient talking to our new guy at the other end of the pharmacy. Whovian said she had asked for a consultation and then asked him if she could apply the cream right then. He desperately, desperately wanted to say no, but being new and not really thinking of a reason why not, he said sure, thinking she might discreetly put some on in the area needed.
No. Oh no. This woman pulled the front of her shirt clear up to her neck and started smearing permethrin all over her front, wanting new guy to see exactly what she had, while Boss and Whovian looked on in horror.
Scabies. She had scabies. She was also mid-to-late aged, horrid red dye job, and obvious signs of past meth abuse. And our pretty new pharmacist got to see it all. He and Whovian spent the next several minutes dousing their hands, arms, the counter, and anything else nearby with rubbing alcohol and had sympathy itching for the rest of the night.
We had to give him shit about it when he came in today, and while he took it like a champ, he did kind of have that split second where he looked like he either wanted to cry or throw up, or both. It's been considered his official induction into our group and the world of retail pharmacy, as most of us have acquired horrifying and disgusting tales in great numbers and now he has one, too.
Here's to you, New Guy. May you have many more.
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