Going from full-time RPH at CVS to part-time outpatient hospital RPH?

[hye345]

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I've been full-time (legit 40 hour weeks) staff pharmacist at CVS for about 2 years or so. I generally like the setup, but the work itself is pretty bland... it's the kind of job that's tolerable because coworkers are tight and most patients are chill, so the days mostly go by fast, and when I get home, I don't need to think about work. However, by this token, the next step would be to (eventually) become PIC, and the possibly DM. Neither option generally appeals to me, especially with how bloated CVS is with all their new programs and roll-outs: as staff, you can ignore a good portion of that to a certain extent, but as PIC and DM, you gotta shout the company line.

A couple days ago, an ex-technician who now works at a hospital in town asked me if I would be interested in applying for a part-time position (guaranteed 56 hours/pay period) as an outpatient hospital pharmacist. She mentioned that part-timers get benefits, and that so far, it's been up a week, and so far, no one has applied or interviewed (per her boss, the pharmacy manager). She also mentioned that they will probably open a per-diem position soon, since at least one current per-diem may be punched up to permanent.

So that's my dilemma: if the opportunity presents itself, should I try to leave my bleh, albeit comfortable and predictable (for now), staff rph position for a part-time outpatient position? Realistically, I might be able to get knocked down to part-time or floater at CVS, but still nervous about potentially making the leap.

 

[Hulkbuster333]

You don't have to think about that stuff until your PIC goes on leave and you are stuck with crappy floaters who don't care and don't listen and your metrics go in the toilet.

Outpatient hospital pharmacies have good hours and are usually closed weekends and holidays. I'd take it with the benefits and everything as long as it paid enough to pay my bills and loans.

 

[headortail]

You should interview and see how it is at the new place. Clinically, there's probably not a lot of differences between the outpatient hospital setting vs CVS, but as far as I'm aware, it's never a guaranteed thing with CVS (don't get me wrong, nor is it anywhere else, but CVS sounds like the bottom of the stability chain). You could be FT 40 hrs/wk one day and the next day you may barely get 30. Also, who knows what the next corporate metrics might be... I wouldn't mind working community, if not for these metrics and a always being understaffed/no time to really get the patient interaction that makes working community enjoyable. And if you live in a saturated area... oh boy.

 

[zelman]

If you can afford to leave CVS, I recommend it. I stayed on per diem when I did it, so I could pick up some extra cash.

 

[hye345]

You don't have to think about that stuff until your PIC goes on leave and you are stuck with crappy floaters who don't care and don't listen and your metrics go in the toilet.

Outpatient hospital pharmacies have good hours and are usually closed weekends and holidays. I'd take it with the benefits and everything as long as it paid enough to pay my bills and loans.

I actually had this happen last year, when my PIC went on maternity leave, and they made me interim PIC. I did like the authority (yes, I realize how that sounds), and being more in control of the day-to-day operations. However, there was a lot of additional paperwork (AKA the hub), and I probably got the 'lite' version of it (as an example, never had to do the "new PIC" paperwork, plus, our lead tech makes the tech schedules, so I was shielded from that as well). Plus, the staff RPH assigned to me, while a nice guy and VERY smart, wasn't the fastest fella in town...

Right now, my PIC and super are generally chill with metrics (they stress it, but nothing too crazy, maybe a pep talk every month or something). However, going forward (years ahead), odds of ending up with a duo like this seem slim, from what I've heard on here, and on the streets.

 

[hye345]

If you can afford to leave CVS, I recommend it. I stayed on per diem when I did it, so I could pick up some extra cash.

This is a question... generally, how easy is it to switch from full-time to per diem? I assume it's up to the individual super, but still worth asking...

 

[zelman]

This is a question... generally, how easy is it to switch from full-time to per diem? I assume it's up to the individual super, but still worth asking...

100% depends on your relationship with your supervisor.

 

[hye345]

100% depends on your relationship with your supervisor.

Ok. And just to be clear, because I was wondering about this, outpatient hospital pharmacy, even if it’s retail in nature, doesn’t have the same conflict of interest rules as other chains would, right?

 

[zelman]

Ok. And just to be clear, because I was wondering about this, outpatient hospital pharmacy, even if it’s retail in nature, doesn’t have the same conflict of interest rules as other chains would, right?

I don’t think a non-compete would be an issue, but I still wouldn’t mention that you’re in an outpatient pharmacy specifically.

 

[BidingMyTime]

Ok. And just to be clear, because I was wondering about this, outpatient hospital pharmacy, even if it’s retail in nature, doesn’t have the same conflict of interest rules as other chains would, right?

Hmmm, see I would think it would be. A hospital outpatient pharmacy is equivalent to an independent pharmacy, so I would think most chains would frown on that. Although if you are a risk taker, and you just tell them you are working at the hospital, nobody will probably follow up to find out where....and if they do, you could always say you were just "filling in".