Rogelio Rivera got an early start on his career path. He clearly remembers accompanying his mother to the pharmacy where she worked as a technician. While she counted out pills to fill prescriptions, she kept her five-year-old son busy, too. “She used to give me one of the empty pill trays, and I would use it to count M&Ms,” Rivera says.
Over the years, he spent a lot of time in that pharmacy. “Everybody knew m,e and I could watch and see what they did. By the time I was 11 or 12, I knew what I wanted to do.”
After Rivera graduated from high school, he went to work for a local pharmacy. “I always wanted to learn compounding, and they helped train me. I learned the recipes and the procedures and was able to do compounding. I liked it and wanted to advance, so I decided to become certified.”
Rivera completed a rigorous training program to earn his Sterile Certified Compounding credential. He was eager to put his expertise to use and when he saw an opening at AOM Infusion, he jumped at the opportunity.
Finding the Place Where He Can Help Others
In the nearly seven years since he joined the company, Rivera has served in several roles. He’s enjoyed the variety — especially because it has allowed him to help patients.
“When I started as a data entry tech, I would speak with many patients on the phone,” Rivera explains. “I had patients I was responsible for calling every month about their medication, so I got to know a lot of them. I’d find out how they were doing, if they needed any supplies, arrange to get their prescriptions to them, and ensure they felt comfortable and happy with their care. I always try to treat every patient like they are a family member. When I worked in hospice care, I learned that something as simple as having things ready when they need them makes life a little bit easier for them. I think that’s very rewarding.”
A promotion to a critical role AOM’s newest state-of-the-art ambulatory infusion suites and pharmacy distribution center in Arlington, Texas, presented Rivera with the opportunity to use his compounding certification once again.
“I let them know I wanted to use that skill, something I’d studied, so AOM put that in the workflow for me,” Rivera says. “I look forward to the days when I get to compound. It makes me happy.”
Bonding with Patients Comes Naturally
When he isn’t compounding, Rivera is busy filling orders for vital patient medications. “We have to be very careful and detail-oriented,” Rivera explains.
He learned early in his tenure with AOM that precision and care are embedded in every aspect of AOM for one reason. “Our main focus is to make sure we take care of the patient. And we do. We go above and beyond to make sure we do everything we can for them. Sometimes, I’ll call one of my long-time patients just to ask how they’re doing. It’s a small thing, but you create a bond with your patients. It’s given me a different perspective that’s helped me value life more. I’m getting older, and when I need help, I want to be able to get that same quality of care and attention.”
It's no surprise that Rivera’s quiet patient advocacy earned him a nomination for Employee of the Quarter last year. “I love my field, I love what I do,” he says.
Ready to infuse your career with more passion, purpose, and opportunities? We have rewarding positions open across the U.S. Visit our careers page to learn more.
