Hospital Pharmacy Vacation Time Question

[pharmdisme]

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I just interviewed for a position in a hospital for a staff pharmacist. I was told that there is no vacation time but rather the "vacation time" accrued is paid every pay period. The schedule is 6:30A to 6:00P, 7 days on and 7 off. Basically no time off other than the 7 days off unless you switch with a colleague. I wondering whether this was typical for that schedule in hospitals? Any thoughts, comments and ideas are appreciated. Thank you.

 

[WVUPharm2007]

No. You should get the three in a row off. Lame.

 

[pharmdisme]

No. You should get the three in a row off. Lame.

Thanks, I thought as much. I would rather get the time off than get paid for it.

 

[Its Z]

That is not typical. Basically, you accrue so many hours of Paid Time Off (PTO) every pay period. Let's say it's 4 hours per 2 weeks.

Then 4 X 26 (# of pay periods per year), you basically get 104 hours per year which is 13 days..or 2 weeks and 3 days plus/minus holidays how ever it works.

In your case, they decided to just go ahead and pay you the PTO hours in the check instead of accruing the hours. In the end, the outcome is the same since you'll just take the time off and not get paid for the period yet you're getting paid additional 4 hours per pay period of PTO.

 

[Momus]

Well then you basically have 1 week off every other week and when you get to have someone cover your shifts for your 7 days on, you will get 3 weeks off in a row. That's an awesome schedule daytime 7 on 7 off leaving at 6pm, still early enough to go out and do something.

 

[confettiflyer]

Z is right, realistically, someone from staff has to cover your vacation regardless if you're getting the time cashed out or you're using it for actual PTO.

In most places, your supervisor will find staff to cover assuming you given enough notice to use PTO; in this case, sounds like the supervisor is too lazy/doesn't want to deal with that. Either way, if you want 3 weeks off and you take the job, make friends with younger/childless staff members who wouldn't mind covering one of your overnight weeks (or get your overnight partner to double up and return the favor later).

These staffing changes might be pushing others into mandatory OT rules and people upstairs might not like that.

 

[Momus]

He said it's am to pm, it's not graveyard

 

[confettiflyer]

He said it's am to pm, it's not graveyard

whoops, same concept (minus the graveyard buddy) though.

If I liked the location and the vibe from the coworkers, I'd take the job. 7-on-7-off day shift? Sign me up, I count the 7on7off schedule as one of the few perks of an overnight shift (other random ones: lack of traffic at commute time, more relaxed atmosphere, ability to merge off week into vacation time, differential).

 

[KARM12]

Agreed....7on/7off days is almost unheard of. Pretty sweet shift!

 

[njac]

Agreed....7on/7off days is almost unheard of. Pretty sweet shift!

not in my specialty! It's not quite standard, but it's pretty darn common.

 

[WVUPharm2007]

Agreed....7on/7off days is almost unheard of. Pretty sweet shift!

Wha? Every hospital I've ever been to has 7 on - 7 off night shifts.

 

[konkan]

I just interviewed for a position in a hospital for a staff pharmacist. I was told that there is no vacation time but rather the "vacation time" accrued is paid every pay period. The schedule is 6:30A to 6:00P, 7 days on and 7 off. Basically no time off other than the 7 days off unless you switch with a colleague. I wondering whether this was typical for that schedule in hospitals? Any thoughts, comments and ideas are appreciated. Thank you.

I don't know whether it's typical or not, but I accrue 4 point smth hr per 2 week period. You can cash it if you want. I'm also 7 on 7 off pharmacist. I don't think switching with somebody is a great idea. Working 21 days straight 10.5 hr a day? That's brutal.

 

[All4MyDaughter]

Wha? Every hospital I've ever been to has 7 on - 7 off night shifts.

The OP was asking about 7 on/7 off DAY shifts. Which I agree is rather uncommon, at least in my area.

 

[WVUPharm2007]

The OP was asking about 7 on/7 off DAY shifts. Which I agree is rather uncommon, at least in my area.

Ohhhhhh. OK. I'ma little slow today.

 

[pharmdisme]

Thanks for all the comments.

I really like the day shift but not having the option to have vacation time kind of rubs me the wrong way. I guess these days options are becoming a thing of the past.

The shift actually ends at 6:30pm and not 6pm. In this hospital, everyone pretty much works 7 days on and 7 days off except management and some of the techs. It seems to work for them.

 

[Its Z]

Thanks for all the comments.

I really like the day shift but not having the option to have vacation time kind of rubs me the wrong way. I guess these days options are becoming a thing of the past.

The shift actually ends at 6:30pm and not 6pm. In this hospital, everyone pretty much works 7 days on and 7 days off except management and some of the techs. It seems to work for them.

wow... for real?? I mean...you're gonna have 26 weeks off and get paid the PTO hours on your check and not having an option of one additional week off so you can have 3 straight weeks off rubs you the wrong way??

What's your name and where are you applying to?

 

[pharmdisme]

wow... for real?? I mean...you're gonna have 26 weeks off and get paid the PTO hours on your check and not having an option of one additional week off so you can have 3 straight weeks off rubs you the wrong way??

What's your name and where are you applying to?

😀😀 I am not after having 3 straight weeks off ... trust me, I will bored after the first week off. Besides I don't know that I got the job.
I guess while searching for jobs I am a quite surprised at the various working terms and conditions available for pharmacists these days in different settings.

I will PM my name and the hospital to you 😉, maybe you could put in a word for me.

 

[All4MyDaughter]

Do not send him your name and the hospital. It's a trick.

 

[owlegrad]

Do not send him your name and the hospital. It's a trap.

fyp

 

[pharmdisme]

Do not send him your name and the hospital. It's a trick.

Oh I know, was just kidding......I don't trust Its Z that much. Thanks for the warning though lol.

 

[scoobygrl79]

Oh I know, was just kidding......I don't trust Its Z that much. Thanks for the warning though lol.

ha! ~lmao~ PRICELESS!

Aww, its just that quirky charm, so misunderstood. Kinda reminds me of the guy that lives under the bridge from the billy goat gruff story, except instead of stopping goats from crossing the bridge, he monitors who posts on sdn. As long as there were no demands for full body shots from various angles, youre completely safe! 👍

 

[Its Z]

did you just call me a goat?

 

[Glycerin]

Let's say it's 4 hours per 2 weeks.

Cheap.