If you’ve used the ARTARx home delivery service, then you’re probably familiar with our friendly team of drivers. And if you haven’t used it, there’s no reason to wait! It’s free, easy, and convenient. Don’t believe us? Ask our delivery team! They’re ARTA members themselves. We sat down with two of our drivers, Abello and Roger, to talk to them about how delivery works, and what you can expect from the service.
How did you get involved as ARTARx delivery drivers?
Abello:
I retired three years ago and joined the ARTA Benefit Plans. One day I saw that you could have medication delivered to your house. A gentleman drove up in a fancy van, handed me my pills, and I thought, “That’s pretty cool! I’d like to have a job like that.” I contacted the pharmacy, they set up an interview, and here I am!
Roger:
It was similar for me. I have a group of retired teachers that I spend time with, and one day, one of them was talking about how they had their medication delivered right to their house. I thought that might be something I’d be interested in, making those deliveries, so I sent an email, and before long I was behind the wheel.
What does an average day for an ARTARx driver look like?
Abello:
I get here about 15 minutes early, and the pharmacy team is already inside, sorting out the deliveries for the day. Once they’re all labeled and organized, they get loaded and I drive off.
Roger:
It’s all quite amazing, there’s a little screen in the van that shows you your list for the day and the optimal route. Sometimes I drive around Edmonton, other days it takes me all over: Devon, Spruce Grove, St. Albert, Beaumont, Sherwood Park, Fort Saskatchewan, you name it.
Abello:
We drive until our deliveries are complete, and then the day is over, usually by 4:00.
Do you ever have trouble finding the right house?
Abello: Usually no, the computer is very good. Except out on the range roads. Outside the cities, the GPS isn’t always accurate, so sometimes it takes a little longer to make the delivery. So, if a member lives in a rural area, we just ask them to be patient. We’re on our way, it might just take a little longer.
What happens when a member isn’t home when you make the delivery?
Roger:
We tell everyone when we’re coming, and if they’re not available, we try to make arrangements with them. We can leave the delivery in the mailbox, behind a potted plant, wherever the member prefers. It’s best to set that up ahead of time with your pharmacist. Even if you’re just out in the garden, you might not hear us pull up.
Abello:
Sometimes medications need to be refrigerated, or they just can’t be left outside. If nobody is there to pick it up, and no arrangement has been made, I’ll call into the pharmacy for direction. If we can’t leave it for the member, we’ll try again the next day.
What kind of feedback have you gotten from members you deliver to?
Abello:
Everyone is so nice, so appreciative of what we are doing. And if there are ever any complaints or things we can do differently, we just call it into the pharmacy, and we can make a plan to improve the service.
Roger:
Sometimes I even get to deliver to some teachers I used to work with, and that’s a real joy. But overall, yeah, people definitely appreciate the service. They’re always happy to see us, and happy to get that medication they need.