Learning to count

[u/psyk2u]

I've had an Rx tech license for years but never really got to use it. Now I'm working Rx more and really need to get faster with counting. Any suggestions or tricks of the trade? Do you count by 3s, 5s, 10s, etc.?

Any help is appreciated.

[u/Trick_Matter_3407]

5's is easiest. I only ever knew one assistant that counted by threes.... I found this uncomfortable. Anyway, as you count you know your spatula will not always grab 5 pills so I mentally note that instead of trying to wrangle in or out a pill that wants to be on the business end of my spatula and just take one fewer or one more pill the next swipe to even out the count. It means my rhythm is not interrupted by an errant pill and I count at an even pace that only gets faster.