Improved working conditions at CVS

[mikejones123]

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I've been a pharmacist at CVS for 8 years now. I have many posts on this forum in the past of how horrible CVS is managed, but I must say in the last 6 months working conditions have improved drastically in my district. I was wondering if any other CVS pharmacists have felt the same way. I feel less stressed and also seems I have less bad days. Of course this could be store, district or state specific. Or it could be because CVS lost its Tricare and state employee contracts and that has resulted in less scripts filled. But I do feel we are much better staffed than years past, and the technological advancements make the whole work flow a lot better. Heck, I even get to take my lunch break these days. I know this could all change with flu season around the corner but I'm hoping that isn't the case.

 

[Old Timer]

I've been a pharmacist at CVS for 8 years now. I have many posts on this forum in the past of how horrible CVS is managed, but I must say in the last 6 months working conditions have improved drastically in my district. I was wondering if any other CVS pharmacists have felt the same way. I feel less stressed and also seems I have less bad days. Of course this could be store, district or state specific. Or it could be because CVS lost its Tricare and state employee contracts and that has resulted in less scripts filled. But I do feel we are much better staffed than years past, and the technological advancements make the whole work flow a lot better. Heck, I even get to take my lunch break these days. I know this could all change with flu season around the corner but I'm hoping that isn't the case.

It's just where you are. It's bad where I am. Very bad.

 

[6GodPharm]

I don't think its bad either but honestly people go into this field blind and have no clue what a retail pharmacists is and the budgets we must meet to bring in $$$. So they all b*tch and moan over everything.

 

[doublehh03]

It depends on the district and stores and the culture it promotes.

 

[sosoo]

our store went from 3,500 a week half a year ago to 3,900 a week. but guess what? no extra staffing.

 

[Lnsean]

I don't think its bad either but honestly people go into this field blind and have no clue what a retail pharmacists is and the budgets we must meet to bring in $$$. So they all b*tch and moan over everything.

To be fair, the field has been changing drastically. I don't of anyone that can predict the future 6+ years out...and pharmacy is a long commitment..it's not like what you're seeing today as an applicant working at CVS will remain that way 6 years later when you have already committed a lot of resources to it. Back then, it was more that people were going into pharmacy for the wrong reason (mainly job security and money) and I hope that's less of a case now these days.

 

[wucool33]

Weren't you always a CVS homer?

 

[RxPreceptor]

Season/time of year, PIC, & staff training (retention) are some big factors contributing to "better" working conditions...seems better for now where I am at least. Anticipate chaos in the fall. I don't know about your district, but ours has stopped printing out paper e-scripts recently cutting back on massive bull**** work of sorting numerically ordered printer paper (I'm sure some cutting of tech hours is in store just because it's CVS)

 

[ChalupaBatman86]

I don't think its bad either but honestly people go into this field blind and have no clue what a retail pharmacists is and the budgets we must meet to bring in $$$. So they all b*tch and moan over everything.

New NateRobinson does have a point here. Many pharmacy students have never worked a retail job. Pharmacy schools don't prepare them for the reality of this work environment. If they have worked as a waiter/waitress or in a customer service associate role they will have a better idea what to expect. All of these jobs have very poor working conditions, not everybody can cut it and many who can cut it will choose not to.


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[quickpic007]

I've been a pharmacist at CVS for 8 years now. I have many posts on this forum in the past of how horrible CVS is managed, but I must say in the last 6 months working conditions have improved drastically in my district. I was wondering if any other CVS pharmacists have felt the same way. I feel less stressed and also seems I have less bad days. Of course this could be store, district or state specific. Or it could be because CVS lost its Tricare and state employee contracts and that has resulted in less scripts filled. But I do feel we are much better staffed than years past, and the technological advancements make the whole work flow a lot better. Heck, I even get to take my lunch break these days. I know this could all change with flu season around the corner but I'm hoping that isn't the case.

No we still selling 3000ish on 205 tech hours. Revolving door of clerks, rphs, techs. I dont get stressed just make sure the right tablet is in the right bottle.

our store went from 3,500 a week half a year ago to 3,900 a week. but guess what? no extra staffing.

Move to DFW yet?? CVS always has spots!!!! Been thinking of going there myself!!!

 

[hye345]

I've been a pharmacist at CVS for 8 years now. I have many posts on this forum in the past of how horrible CVS is managed, but I must say in the last 6 months working conditions have improved drastically in my district. I was wondering if any other CVS pharmacists have felt the same way. I feel less stressed and also seems I have less bad days. Of course this could be store, district or state specific. Or it could be because CVS lost its Tricare and state employee contracts and that has resulted in less scripts filled. But I do feel we are much better staffed than years past, and the technological advancements make the whole work flow a lot better. Heck, I even get to take my lunch break these days. I know this could all change with flu season around the corner but I'm hoping that isn't the case.

Interesting you mention the loss of Tri-Care... I'm not sure if this is regional or national, but starting in August, CVS will accept Anthem Blue Cross Medical (at the same time, Rite-Aid will lose the contract). As a result, the corporate number-crunchers estimated that our store is gonna get between 400-600 more scripts a week (we generally do less than 1,800/week now).

 

[6GodPharm]

Interesting you mention the loss of Tri-Care... I'm not sure if this is regional or national, but starting in August, CVS will accept Anthem Blue Cross Medical (at the same time, Rite-Aid will lose the contract). As a result, the corporate number-crunchers estimated that our store is gonna get between 400-600 more scripts a week (we generally do less than 1,800/week now).

That is a lot for a 1800/week store. Your myschedule should reflect that starting Aug 1st. My store is estimated at 600-800. We currently do 3000/week. Should be fun. Be prepared 1800/week and adding 600 scripts is difficult.

 

[Sine Cura]

Interesting you mention the loss of Tri-Care... I'm not sure if this is regional or national, but starting in August, CVS will accept Anthem Blue Cross Medical (at the same time, Rite-Aid will lose the contract). As a result, the corporate number-crunchers estimated that our store is gonna get between 400-600 more scripts a week (we generally do less than 1,800/week now).

Rite Aid is definitely ridding themselves of Anthem Blue Cross Partnership Plan (Medi-Cal) but I haven't heard anything about Anthem non-Medi-Cal plans. Also CVS is not on the list of providers that will take ABC Medi-Cal patients (based on the letter "subscribers" received)

It's always fun to take mass transfers. Have fun. At least MySchedule recalculates (eventually) and your sup might even tell you to schedule more hours above demand in anticipation of extra Rx.

 

[sosoo]

Move to DFW yet?? CVS always has spots!!!! Been thinking of going there myself!!!

u should. save money on state tax. where im from thats $500 a month. i'll be there in few weeks. starting out as floater though.

 

[hye345]

That is a lot for a 1800/week store. Your myschedule should reflect that starting Aug 1st. My store is estimated at 600-800. We currently do 3000/week. Should be fun. Be prepared 1800/week and adding 600 scripts is difficult.

Hopefully the transition isn't too horrible. A week or so ago, Super told us that post-anthem MySchedule gave us 320 demand hours (Rph and tech). The problem is that we don't have enough bodies to plug into the machine (not then anyway).

 

[ImmunoglobulinE]

Move to DFW yet?? CVS always has spots!!!! Been thinking of going there myself!!!

Well you better hurry up, because DFW area is about to be saturated. UNT just produced their first set of graduates these year. Texas tech is thinking of creating a four year campus in Dallas, and by 2019,UT Tyler would produce their first set of graduates as well. So if you want to move to DFW area, now is the time; because guess what? Tommorrow maybe too late !!

 

[6GodPharm]

Hopefully the transition isn't too horrible. A week or so ago, Super told us that post-anthem MySchedule gave us 320 demand hours (Rph and tech). The problem is that we don't have enough bodies to plug into the machine (not then anyway).

Same problem i'm having. With 800 extra scripts I was given almost 85-90 more hours a week. Just don't have enough bodies for that (which is why CVs shouldn't be so hush hush about these things so we have time to hire.

 

[mikejones123]

Weren't you always a CVS homer?

No, never was and never will be

 

[josh6718]

It's just where you are. It's bad where I am. Very bad.

Has CVS started the new DUR update to the system yet?

 

[Saiyo]

Well you better hurry up, because DFW area is about to be saturated. UNT just produced their first set of graduates these year. Texas tech is thinking of creating a four year campus in Dallas, and by 2019,UT Tyler would produce their first set of graduates as well. So if you want to move to DFW area, now is the time; because guess what? Tommorrow maybe too late !!

uhhhh.......RIP DFW

 

[angelsplight]

I had a tech position in CVS and now am an intern in Walgreens. The difference between the pharmacist when comparing the 2 seem almost like night at day. On one had the CVS pharmacist never had a lunch break and pretty much always stayed where the worked from open to close while at Walgreens, on busy days, there is usually 2 pharmacist while one on dead days. The pharmacist, while still also doesn't really have a lunch break, he takes mini breaks often to walk around the store to do some shopping or eat in the break room or something and we just page him if we need him. The CVS pharmacist always told me about how he only needs to put up with this for a few more years then he can retire and get out.

 

[hye345]

I had a tech position in CVS and now am an intern in Walgreens. The difference between the pharmacist when comparing the 2 seem almost like night at day. On one had the CVS pharmacist never had a lunch break and pretty much always stayed where the worked from open to close while at Walgreens, on busy days, there is usually 2 pharmacist while one on dead days. The pharmacist, while still also doesn't really have a lunch break, he takes mini breaks often to walk around the store to do some shopping or eat in the break room or something and we just page him if we need him. The CVS pharmacist always told me about how he only needs to put up with this for a few more years then he can retire and get out.

This is location and region specific. Both are corporate giants with layers of BS, so your individual DM/clientele/techs will make a far larger difference in day-to-day satisfaction.