Being a pharmacy technician never held as many risks as it does now. Exposure too hazardous conditions were little to none, and garbing up was only conducted in IV compounding. But, now, in order to give nurses the medications they need to help their patients, they need us, pharmacy technicians.
I have recently become employed by a local hospital in my area and I don't regret my decision. But, with having to deliver medications to COVID-impacted areas, my chance of contracting (or transmitting) COVID-19 to myself or others has greatly increased. However, I must say that supplies have not run dry, and we as workers have been supplied with the required personal protective equipment to be safe.
This includes gowns, hairnets, gloves, N-95 respiratory masks, shoe covers, etc. I also personally wear a surgical cap to hold all my hair in and protect it from the outside air. My hair is long and thick and knowing my hair is secured in my surgical cap, gives me comfort.
As another preventive measure, I take elderberry and vitamin C gummy vitamins to help keep my immune system up. Though every day, I have to garb up and enter COVID-19 areas, I truly enjoy my job.
But, my routine when coming home has changed dramatically.
When I come home, I take off my shoes and leave them in the garage. This is so I do not track in whatever my shoes may have on them.
Then, once I enter the house, I immediately put the clothes I am wearing into the washing machine. I go directly to take a shower. I do this every single day.
My hair is suffering from this, since I normally wash my hair every other day. But, in order to protect my family, I have to clean my entire body to ensure that I do not transmit any virus or bacteria that may be on me.
The hardest part is finding the necessary cleaning products to optimize protection for my family. Currently, I have disinfecting wipes but have yet to find a disinfecting spray or disinfecting detergent. These two products would help me tremendously, but for now, I have to do without them.
With my increased risk of working as a pharmacy technician, I have never been more honored. I am proud to say I am a pharmacy technician and knowing that I am an essential, front-line worker makes me proud to have chosen this career profession. I hope others are not fearful to start because this is the job you were always meant to do. We deliver medications to patients, no matter the circumstances, we are the key to their survival.
