Retail: Job Satisfaction

[PHARMD_Maybe?]

I have read some of the posts in here and have talked with several current Pharmacist in the retail arena, and they all seem to like the money but not the job. Does this sound about right to everyone in here? Is it really that bad? Also, I was hoping to move up to the District Supervisor position later on in my career, but I can find no realisitic job perspective and what the pay would be for the extra responsibility. Any info on either qustion would be great! Thanks!!

 

[raindrop]

I am supervising pharmacist in my chain location. I have considered trying out for DM, but decided against it, mostly because of the attitude and priorities of my current DM.

My DM is also a pharmacist, but you'd hardly know it. His primary concern is SALES SALES SALES. Are the numbers up? Are script counts up? OK, you have a few happy customers (from the calls they make to the Customer Service line) but are they spending $$$? How are our margins? Shrink? Make sure we push the generics! Your sales budget was $ XXX but your actual sales were $ XXX-50. What can we do to drive sales?

Once, one of my colleagues refused to fill a Viagra Rx for a pt on NTG. Who wouldn't? Well the pt complained to the DM and the DM tried to force the RPh to fill it. She still refused. The DM insisted the Rx would be filled and at her location. The RPh (who was also the supervising RPh in her store) said fine, but since you're a RPh, YOU fill it and YOU put YOUR initials on it and when the pt comes to pick it up, YOU better be here to counsel him (like how he'll have a pretty good chance of dying, so he'd better have a will)

My DM is a jerk, but that goes with the territory. If I became a DM, I'd have to become a jerk, too. Morals go out the window, focus on sales comes in. It's how it is.

If you're going into pharmacy for patient care, carefully reconsider what a DM does. Patient care is the last of the DM's priorities. 👎

Lynn

I have read some of the posts in here and have talked with several current Pharmacist in the retail arena, and they all seem to like the money but not the job. Does this sound about right to everyone in here? Is it really that bad? Also, I was hoping to move up to the District Supervisor position later on in my career, but I can find no realisitic job perspective and what the pay would be for the extra responsibility. Any info on either qustion would be great! Thanks!!

 

[bananaface]

The sales focus all depends on the individual DM and the corporation. My DM told us last week not to worry about money and do whatever is right for our patients. (Now if only he would quit trying to flirt with all the female employees....)

I like the job and would go into the field even if the salaries were not as good. Some places out there I would not work, though, not even for tons of money.

 

[loo]

I like the job and would go into the field even if the salaries were not as good. Some places out there I would not work, though, not even for tons of money.

Very true! You will find out in time where those places are. Retail is a little more limiting in terms of clinical opportunities. As far as SP, DM, etc. you need to have a talent for managing people. If managing people is not one of your strong points, these positions may not be for you.

In short, retail can be heaven or hell...interview carefully and visit the stores they want you to work at. It may save you a lot of heartache later.