Retail Pharmacy?!?

[168533]

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So today was my first day at CVS. It was absolutely horrible. I've worked as a tech before at Walgreens, and I never thought I'd say this but Walgreens is 100 times better than CVS. Today made me realized why I hate retail pharmacy. I don't understand how some people can subject themselves to this. I mean the money is probably better, but if not dreading my job means less money so be it. I respect the pharmacist that do work in retail cause it sucks. However, I think I'd give away a kidney before I have to do this forever. I like a lot of things about pharmacy, but retail just makes me go "what the heck am I getting myself into", but I have to keep reminding myself that retail is not the only options available for pharmacist. Sigh. *Fills out apps*.🙁

 

[jyw003]

So today was my first day at CVS. It was absolutely horrible. I've worked as a tech before at Walgreens, and I never thought I'd say this but Walgreens is 100 times better than CVS. Today made me realized why I hate retail pharmacy. I don't understand how some people can subject themselves to this. I mean the money is probably better, but if not dreading my job means less money so be it. I respect the pharmacist that do work in retail cause it sucks. However, I think I'd give away a kidney before I have to do this forever. I like a lot of things about pharmacy, but retail just makes me go "what the heck am I getting myself into", but I have to keep reminding myself that retail is not the only options available for pharmacist. Sigh. *Fills out apps*.🙁

lol...lets here the story behind this then 😀

 

[168533]

lol...lets here the story behind this then 😀

Why my day was so awful? First, they basically just threw me out there. Walgreens actually trained me, but I was new to pharmacy when I started with them. Walgreens has a way better system of filling their prescriptions. It seems so much organized. I hate that you have to ask each CVS customer if they have a stupid extra care card. I also have to make them sign the long. Oh and the drive thru. People pull up and start buzzing like crazy. Ugh! Ok, enough venting. 😛

 

[anonymoose410]

ooh I work at a CVS with a drive thru too.. I hate that thing! It's crazy in the store and there are long lines and suddenly the drive thru rings and you have to tend to them, and they complain if they have to wait a couple minutes.

I don't think retail is so bad, but if I become a pharmacist I would never work at a store with a drive thru. I don't really understand the concept, anyway.. would people go to see their doctors if they could drive through their appointments too?

 

[168533]

ooh I work at a CVS with a drive thru too.. I hate that thing! It's crazy in the store and there are long lines and suddenly the drive thru rings and you have to tend to them, and they complain if they have to wait a couple minutes.

I don't think retail is so bad, but if I become a pharmacist I would never work at a store with a drive thru. I don't really understand the concept, anyway.. would people go to see their doctors if they could drive through their appointments too?

Yeah, maybe it's just the drive thru that makes it worse. I heard working at places like Target isn't as bad. People are so lazy these days. If I need a script filled, I go into the store and drop it off and come back later. Everyone wants to wait. Also, the drive thru people can see into the store and see the extra long line. QUIT PUSHING THE BUTTON. Also, at walgreens, if someone pulls into the drive thru a bell rings so if you're in the back, you know someone is there. At the cvs I work for, there's no bell. There's a tv screen with a camera in the drive thru, but if I'm in the back of the pharmacy, I won't know there's someone at the drive thru unless they've been sitting there and push the button. By that time, they get annoyed, which makes me annoyed. Grr, why did I decide to be a tech again. 😛

 

[168533]

Oh yeah, do they check your pocket/purse before you leave? I don't know if they do it just when you're closing or whenever you leave, but I thought this policy was pretty stupid. I know people steal, but come on. Off the bat, you're showing you don't trust your employees this way. I've worked at different retail places, and we never got searched. I've had friends work at different retail places too and none have been searched.

 

[alenadoma]

Oh yeah, do they check your pocket/purse before you leave? I don't know if they do it just when you're closing or whenever you leave, but I thought this policy was pretty stupid. I know people steal, but come on. Off the bat, you're showing you don't trust your employees this way. I've worked at different retail places, and we never got searched. I've had friends work at different retail places too and none have been searched.

Haha, they do that at CVS?? I used to work at Express (back in high school/early college) and they did that there! Yeah, it's not a pleasant feeling.

 

[maximus0723]

Haha, they do that at CVS?? I used to work at Express (back in high school/early college) and they did that there! Yeah, it's not a pleasant feeling.

Yea, they do that. Well whenever they remember, but it's required.
You also can't take ur coat outside.

 

[confettiflyer]

haha, i floated stores, so i just took my coat with me no problem.

"one pharmacy call..."
"two pharmacy calls..."
"three pharmacy calls..."
"one drive-thru call..."

 

[HaleyRX]

it is so HUMILIATING to stand at the door, in front of 10 customers walking in and out, or waiting to be chcked out, and have your pockets and purse searched. all of them stare at you like you're stealing. honestly, if you don't trust me not to stick something in my pocket, how can you trust me to work on prescriptions?! I understand that there is theft, but geez. And sometimes I had to stand there and wait for a manager and it's like..hello..10 hours listening to a ringing phone and working a drive-thru, I'm ready to leave!!
CVS' extra care cards bring them a lot of extra money but are a pain in the ass to deal with. And the PCI calls on the weekend will be a real barrel of fun for you.
Honestly, I'm sure CVS as a company has good intentions, but I think their corporate hotshots need to come work in a pharmacy for a while...😱

 

[RxWildcat]

I can honestly say I would NOT work at a pharmacy that frisked me before I was allowed to leave, that is absolutely ridiculous.

 

[168533]

Well I guess they do it equally cause they frisk the pharmacist and she has a key for the good stuff. 😛

 

[rxlynn]

Oh yeah, do they check your pocket/purse before you leave? I don't know if they do it just when you're closing or whenever you leave, but I thought this policy was pretty stupid. I know people steal, but come on. Off the bat, you're showing you don't trust your employees this way. I've worked at different retail places, and we never got searched. I've had friends work at different retail places too and none have been searched.

I believe this is somewhat specific to your manager and your regional loss prevention person. I have worked for CVS for quite a few years, and I think I've been asked by a manager once or twice, and one of those times I was carrying out a very large (empty) box because I wanted it for moving.

 

[Lo|a]

I know what you mean, retail does suck. I just recently started with Target Pharmacy in a very busy metro area in WI (my first position ever in a pharmacy). My first day was horrible as well. It was sooo busy (there were three pharmacists and two techs working, yet it was hell). They basically quickly explained everything to me and then threw me into the job before I was even confident of what I was doing. They fill at least 300 + perscriptions a day! I kept making small mistakes and asking questions and I know the lead pharmacist was a bit annoyed because he never smile once at me and kept pretending not to hear my questions. Then the other day, I accidently gave a guest her bag of prescription without realizing that there were no meds inside! I always make the guests check to see if what we give them is correct and for some reason I didn't do it that time. The guest called and talked to the pharmacist and I knew right away I knew that they knew it was me. They didn't talk to me, but asked for my number, so I will be expecting a call soon. Hopefully it's not to tell me that I'm fire. 🙁 Gosh, I feel like everyone else is so perfect in what they do, but I always make the stupidest little mistakes.

 

[Prepharm1214]

To the people complaining about just getting thrown into the line of fire when you are just hired - it's very sad to see this occur but it's the district managers cutting everyone's store hours. If you are new you are running on their clock and essentially not providing much to the workflow, which is awful especially for a new hire.

 

[168533]

To the people complaining about just getting thrown into the line of fire when you are just hired - it's very sad to see this occur but it's the district managers cutting everyone's store hours. If you are new you are running on their clock and essentially not providing much to the workflow, which is awful especially for a new hire.

I can understand that, but it still stinks. Mistakes can get made like that really easily. When I started at Walgreens, they had way better training. I saw in the back room on the computer for like a week watching dumb videos though, but still it kinda got you into using their computer system (which a millions times better than CVS). They also put me in the front of the store to train on the phone and register because it's normally pretty slow upfront. I then moved to the pharmacy, and stood behind people and observed. Once I got my state license, they would say here try a few. I'm a quick learner, and I learn hands on, but I hate being throw into things like CVS did.

I worked 6 hours my first day. From 2-5, I did like 95% of the new prescriptions that came in. From 5-8, it was drive thru hell. They didn't show me th register or anything. They were like "here's the phone for the drive thru". 😕 Blah, ok, enough ranting from me. Come on dumb pharmcas and get my GPA in!😛

 

[Lo|a]

To the people complaining about just getting thrown into the line of fire when you are just hired - it's very sad to see this occur but it's the district managers cutting everyone's store hours. If you are new you are running on their clock and essentially not providing much to the workflow, which is awful especially for a new hire.

True, but it's still tough. You can't learn to do your job efficiently unless they train you but they don't have time to train you because it's so busy and the reason they hire you is to ease the work load. But you can't ease the work load if you keep making mistakes because you don't know what you're doing because you weren't train properly....yeah it's like a catch 22. And for any new (no experience) pharm tech,clerk training is crucial. Reading the job description/procedures is one thing, but hands on training is another thing.

Okay no more complaining because no one is forcing me to do this...

 

[alenadoma]

I know what you mean, retail does suck. I just recently started with Target Pharmacy in a very busy metro area in WI (my first position ever in a pharmacy). My first day was horrible as well. It was sooo busy (there were three pharmacists and two techs working, yet it was hell). They basically quickly explained everything to me and then threw me into the job before I was even confident of what I was doing. They fill at least 300 + perscriptions a day! I kept making small mistakes and asking questions and I know the lead pharmacist was a bit annoyed because he never smile once at me and kept pretending not to hear my questions. Then the other day, I accidently gave a guest her bag of prescription without realizing that there were no meds inside! I always make the guests check to see if what we give them is correct and for some reason I didn't do it that time. The guest called and talked to the pharmacist and I knew right away I knew that they knew it was me. They didn't talk to me, but asked for my number, so I will be expecting a call soon. Hopefully it's not to tell me that I'm fire. 🙁 Gosh, I feel like everyone else is so perfect in what they do, but I always make the stupidest little mistakes.

I work with Target pharmacy too. We're not quite as busy as you, but we only have one pharmacist and either one or two techs working at all times. I've made these kinds of mistakes before, I think everyone has, I've even seen pharmacists do it. Just stay confident, and ask as many questions as necessary for you to understand everything. Good luck!

 

[Lo|a]

I work with Target pharmacy too. We're not quite as busy as you, but we only have one pharmacist and either one or two techs working at all times. I've made these kinds of mistakes before, I think everyone has, I've even seen pharmacists do it. Just stay confident, and ask as many questions as necessary for you to understand everything. Good luck!

You're lucky then. For some reason our pharmacy is busy all the time. It's worst when the pharmacy is about to close the last 30 mins is just brutal. It seems like everyone just waits till we're about to close our gate and then decide to come and pick/drop off their prescriptions. Why do people think that we can fill their prescription 30 mins right before we close???

 

[optimistic828]

I guess I would have the completely opposite complaint to yours, Darlingnikki.
I got hired as a pharmtech but they want me to know their comp system really well and be able to handle the type of customers that come in so im just stuck at the register and am SO BOREDDDDDDDDD--- I wish I was busy! I wish I had something to do! I can't wait until this month long "training" process is over so I can actually do something worthwhile...


ps. are those MAC pigments I see? 😍

 

[anonymoose410]

The CVS I work at has one pharmacist, one tech, and 1 or two (max) PSAs at all times. That's it! We're not the busiest store around, but we do fill almost 400 on busy days and 280-300 on a regular basis.

So yeah, it sucks standing there filling for eight or nine hours straight because I'm the only tech. It sucks even more when the drive thru is ringing, phones are ringing, lines start forming at every freaking window, and I'm working with incompetent clerks who don't know what they're doing.

OH and I also get checked at the door before I leave, but only the closing shift. When I get off in the afternoon I just waltz right out and hope nobody calls me on it.

 

[mrblah]

I hate walgreens and CVS equally. They both say they are better than the other when you are first hired, but you will come to realize they are no different than one another.

 

[alenadoma]

You're lucky then. For some reason our pharmacy is busy all the time. It's worst when the pharmacy is about to close the last 30 mins is just brutal. It seems like everyone just waits till we're about to close our gate and then decide to come and pick/drop off their prescriptions. Why do people think that we can fill their prescription 30 mins right before we close???

haha thirty minutes! We get people coming in at 6:58 (we close at 7pm), saying "I'm gonna wait for it", and when I tell them, "we can do it for you, but we close in 2 minutes so stay right there," they just give me a blank stare.

 

[pharm916]

well the stress is dependent on many factors and i must say, it really depends on the quality of the techs and pharmacist. If you both work fast and efficient, the day goes on quite easy. I've work with different pharmacist and tech so far and i noticed a big difference when we have a floater. Just stay put and as soon as you start learning the system, the job should get alot easier. I remember my first week working at walgreens and it was hell because the trainng did not really help much and that i was put into a pharmacy with a drive thru and never ending phone calls for refills. the walgreen i work in they just dont seem to know how to use the touch tone option for refills. imagine refilling 6 rx at once and the system kicks you out in the middle....ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!

 

[168533]

I guess I would have the completely opposite complaint to yours, Darlingnikki.
I got hired as a pharmtech but they want me to know their comp system really well and be able to handle the type of customers that come in so im just stuck at the register and am SO BOREDDDDDDDDD--- I wish I was busy! I wish I had something to do! I can't wait until this month long "training" process is over so I can actually do something worthwhile...


ps. are those MAC pigments I see? 😍

Yes those are MAC pigments. That's not my collection, but mine is close that one (but I'm selling my entire collection right now :cry🙂

Ok, back to the topic. 😛 I hate standing around with nothing to do. Mainly because I don't want anyone to think that I'm a lazy worker. I do my job and when everything that I need to do is done, I run up and help someone else. I prefer it that way. However, I just hate not knowing how to do something. I guess I'm just so used to doing it another way. At my other job, I knew how to do everything with my eyes closed. If someone screwed up, they didn't look my way because I did my job and I tried to do it perfect. I guess just being new and confused sucks for everyone.

 

[168533]

well the stress is dependent on many factors and i must say, it really depends on the quality of the techs and pharmacist. If you both work fast and efficient, the day goes on quite easy. I've work with different pharmacist and tech so far and i noticed a big difference when we have a floater. Just stay put and as soon as you start learning the system, the job should get alot easier. I remember my first week working at walgreens and it was hell because the trainng did not really help much and that i was put into a pharmacy with a drive thru and never ending phone calls for refills. the walgreen i work in they just dont seem to know how to use the touch tone option for refills. imagine refilling 6 rx at once and the system kicks you out in the middle....ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!

We had two full time pharmacist at our Walgreens. Everyone hated working with one pharmacist because she was slow as Christmas. The younger guy pharmacist was really fast. If he'd work the morning, we'd be smooth sailing then it seemed like as soon as she came everything just backed up. We'd be like 2 hours behind on filling scripts and everything. It just got hectic.

On the weekends, it would be one pharmacist and one tech. If I worked with the male pharmacist, we'd have everything done super early. We'd even have everything done for the next day. We were able to get all our stuff done and just relax. We even had time to find extra stuff to do (like moping the waiting room 🙄) Not with her. Anyways, it definitely depends on who you work with that determines how everything runs in the pharmacy.

 

[Antimony51]

I just started working in a locally owned pharmacy in August. The drive-thru usually is not too bad, but the phones always ring off the hook at the worst times. The bad thing about my job is that I was just thrown in and not really given any training at all. My boss just kind of explained things as we went along. Instead of telling me how he wants things done, I find out this information when he gripes at me. I go into work and just hope I don't get yelled at. I've caught on to most of the things, except knowing all of the namebrand-generic names. I hope that things will get better eventually. I need the pharmacy experience, but my boss belittles me and makes me feel stupid.

This job has made me see that I don't want to work retail. Between the insurance problems, people griping about the cost of their medicines, and being rushed all day long, I know this job is just not for me. People don't want us to make mistakes with their medicines, but they stand over us and complain for us to hurry. It does not make much sense to me. Anyways, it does kind of feel good to vent.

 

[ronswifey]

i could not help but laugh when i read this thread. I worked as a PSA for CVS for a month. After about 2 hours, literally, I decided that I would never in a million years do retail pharmacy! Then I thought that it may not be as bad somewhere like Target or a grocery store. I'm now interested in working in a health dept or with retirement homes. Whatever happens, NO TO CVS, ECKERDS,or WALGREENS!!!

 

[EthioRx]

Hi pplz

I am interested in applying for Pharmacy Technician job at CVS. I recently completed a 3-month training program, completed 60-hour internship at Giant, and passed the PTCE. I am currently PTCB certified.

When I fill out the online application, what should I put for the salary? $8, $9, $10, $11, $12, $13 per hour?

Also for the 100 questions, should I answer? either strongly agree or strongly disagree?

Any advice.....?

Please PM me..

Thank you

 

[199778]

mistake.

 

[199778]

So today was my first day at CVS. It was absolutely horrible. I've worked as a tech before at Walgreens, and I never thought I'd say this but Walgreens is 100 times better than CVS.

I had a horrible time at CVS too. Yet, I endured the stress for 2 years before I called it quits. I think alot of people will agree with you, CVS (retail pharmacies) doesn't treat their technicians with respect. We usually take the heat from customers because we greet them first. It is very frustrating. I do hope it gets better and you learn the works...

I absolutely hate the drive-thru window because some customers abuse our service of getting what they need in the store. They should have specify only medication-related, and not to get milk, newspapers or diapers, etc. It is not fair!! Also, we're not supposed to take our coats home, but they never asked to look in our bags or coats. So we take it home anyways.

I was hoping to work at a Walgreens opening up, but they have not called me. So, I don't have any other experience in another pharmacy. I wish I could compare. Good luck with the job.

 

[xtreem2110]

The CVS I work at has one pharmacist, one tech, and 1 or two (max) PSAs at all times. That's it! We're not the busiest store around, but we do fill almost 400 on busy days and 280-300 on a regular basis.

So yeah, it sucks standing there filling for eight or nine hours straight because I'm the only tech. It sucks even more when the drive thru is ringing, phones are ringing, lines start forming at every freaking window, and I'm working with incompetent clerks who don't know what they're doing.

OH and I also get checked at the door before I leave, but only the closing shift. When I get off in the afternoon I just waltz right out and hope nobody calls me on it.

not to downgrade your position, but I think my pharmacy is the hardest pharmacy ANYWHERE!!!!!!!! That's not just my opinion, its the opinion on the techs and pharmacists that have years and years of experience. Im at a Rite Aid in Beverly Hills, and OMG!!!! It is hell. We fill....... wait for it..........wait for it........... ATLEAST 900 prescriptions a day!!!!!!!!!! And thats on a saturday!!! I can't even tell you how many we do during the week. But on top of all the regular unhappy pharmacy patrons, we also have the celebrities that want to be treated like VIPs, and all the other rich people who want to be treated like them. For example, last sunday, it was pretty slow for a change, and a woman brought in a script, I said "OK, that'll be 5-10 minutes" and she FLIPPED OUT yelling "OMG WHAT ARE YOU DOING THAT GONNA TAKE 5-10 MINUTES???????!?!?!!!!!, Just put 30 pills in the vial and let me go!!!!!!!!!" I honestly find it annoying when random idiots think they know how things are run, they dont realize that we gotta run the NDC, process through insurance, and then get it QAed!!! then they complain on how BAD the pharmacy experience was after 5 minutes. I wonder what she would think when she came during out busy time, standing in that 45 minute line. All this is done with 3 clerks, 2 techs, and 1 pharmacist. God i hope shes making atleast 200,000 a year for all the BullSPIT she takes. well enough from me...

 

[SHC1984]

not to downgrade your position, but I think my pharmacy is the hardest pharmacy ANYWHERE!!!!!!!! That's not just my opinion, its the opinion on the techs and pharmacists that have years and years of experience. Im at a Rite Aid in Beverly Hills, and OMG!!!! It is hell. We fill....... wait for it..........wait for it........... ATLEAST 900 prescriptions a day!!!!!!!!!! And thats on a saturday!!! I can't even tell you how many we do during the week. But on top of all the regular unhappy pharmacy patrons, we also have the celebrities that want to be treated like VIPs, and all the other rich people who want to be treated like them. For example, last sunday, it was pretty slow for a change, and a woman brought in a script, I said "OK, that'll be 5-10 minutes" and she FLIPPED OUT yelling "OMG WHAT ARE YOU DOING THAT GONNA TAKE 5-10 MINUTES???????!?!?!!!!!, Just put 30 pills in the vial and let me go!!!!!!!!!" I honestly find it annoying when random idiots think they know how things are run, they dont realize that we gotta run the NDC, process through insurance, and then get it QAed!!! then they complain on how BAD the pharmacy experience was after 5 minutes. I wonder what she would think when she came during out busy time, standing in that 45 minute line. All this is done with 3 clerks, 2 techs, and 1 pharmacist. God i hope shes making atleast 200,000 a year for all the BullSPIT she takes. well enough from me...

WOW! and all this time I have always wanted to live in CA...🙂 does your pharmacist hate his job too?

 

[xtreem2110]

WOW! and all this time I have always wanted to live in CA...🙂 does your pharmacist hate his job too?

She has her moments of distress. She has barged out of the pharmacy out of anger a couple of times, but i guess the 6 figure income keeps her coming back. But unfortunately, we lost the BEST pharmacist a couple of months ago to this crap. He was like enough is enough, he used to buy the entire staff subway sandwiches for lunch and was a backbone to everyone. He's the type of pharmacist I want to be one day. He wrote me a letter of REC!!!!!! 😀.

 

[Texas PharmDoc]

Yea I worked for CVS for a couple months and it was pretty bad. They attempted to train, but it was in the form of many, many CD-ROM programs and calling into lots of different numbers to be able to do many of the meaningless tasks in the pharmacy. And I agree that CVS's prescription filling system is the worst, so archaic I wanted to pull my hair out while working.

I worked at a Texas-based grocery store pharmacy called HEB (and for all the states that don't have HEB, I feel for you....HEB is the greatest 👍)...but at my store and the store I filled in at, would regularly fill 600-800 scripts a day, but there was lots of good help.

Retail won't be as bad when we are making the money, and when pharmacies are able to act as small medical offices for patients. I know there are programs in the works here to make that happen.

 

[Lo|a]

I just started working in a locally owned pharmacy in August. The drive-thru usually is not too bad, but the phones always ring off the hook at the worst times. The bad thing about my job is that I was just thrown in and not really given any training at all. My boss just kind of explained things as we went along. Instead of telling me how he wants things done, I find out this information when he gripes at me. I go into work and just hope I don't get yelled at. I've caught on to most of the things, except knowing all of the namebrand-generic names. I hope that things will get better eventually. I need the pharmacy experience, but my boss belittles me and makes me feel stupid.

This job has made me see that I don't want to work retail. Between the insurance problems, people griping about the cost of their medicines, and being rushed all day long, I know this job is just not for me. People don't want us to make mistakes with their medicines, but they stand over us and complain for us to hurry. It does not make much sense to me. Anyways, it does kind of feel good to vent.

I'm in the exact same boat. It seems that I learn something new when I make a mistake ahaha. They tell me to ask questions but when I ask questions it seems like they get really annoyed and look at me like I'm stupid. I guess in this line of work you just have to be a quick learner and learn as you go.

 

[Lo|a]

not to downgrade your position, but I think my pharmacy is the hardest pharmacy ANYWHERE!!!!!!!! That's not just my opinion, its the opinion on the techs and pharmacists that have years and years of experience. Im at a Rite Aid in Beverly Hills, and OMG!!!! It is hell. We fill....... wait for it..........wait for it........... ATLEAST 900 prescriptions a day!!!!!!!!!! And thats on a saturday!!! I can't even tell you how many we do during the week. But on top of all the regular unhappy pharmacy patrons, we also have the celebrities that want to be treated like VIPs, and all the other rich people who want to be treated like them. For example, last sunday, it was pretty slow for a change, and a woman brought in a script, I said "OK, that'll be 5-10 minutes" and she FLIPPED OUT yelling "OMG WHAT ARE YOU DOING THAT GONNA TAKE 5-10 MINUTES???????!?!?!!!!!, Just put 30 pills in the vial and let me go!!!!!!!!!" I honestly find it annoying when random idiots think they know how things are run, they dont realize that we gotta run the NDC, process through insurance, and then get it QAed!!! then they complain on how BAD the pharmacy experience was after 5 minutes. I wonder what she would think when she came during out busy time, standing in that 45 minute line. All this is done with 3 clerks, 2 techs, and 1 pharmacist. God i hope shes making atleast 200,000 a year for all the BullSPIT she takes. well enough from me...

Okay, maybe I should stop complaining...=) People are rude no matter what class they fall under. One time, we had a women come in and said she was going to sue our pharmacy for not filling her son's meds. She was yelling and crying and screaming, our pharmacists just stood there speechless ahaha...I have to admit sometimes we do get some very interesting guests, quite entertaining.

 

[Pharmie218]

oh goodness i love that this post is here so i can rant because i just got home from work at the retail pharmacy and it was the worst day ever! i work as the clerk and we have it pretty bad too because we have to stay at the front where the customers have easy access so they bitch at us all the time. today this old lady was bitching the hell out of me and asked for the pharmacist so that she can bitch to the pharmacist about me while i was standing there. and i didn't do anything wrong! it was one of the techs fault for leaving out one of her prescriptions and then of course the process of filling it takes forever and i was really helpless in the whole situation. granted i was giving her dirty looks...but really....how do you keep a smile on your face when someone is saying nasty things to you? the pharmacy i work at is really bad because it's a high volume pharmacy and we're short staffed so everyone has to work at speedy gonzales pace and things get overlooked all the time. so i understand why patients are pissed off, i just wished that they didn't take it out on me and instead blame it on management for being so cheap and not hiring enough pharmacists and techs to get the work done.

also the addicts that come in that try to double dip make me sad. mostly because the pharmacists turn a blind eye to it because they don't want trouble or a lawsuit since it is a well known retail chain and so instead of addressing the problem, they tell them to go to another pharmacy.

 

[ClassOf78]

So today was my first day at CVS. It was absolutely horrible. I've worked as a tech before at Walgreens, and I never thought I'd say this but Walgreens is 100 times better than CVS. Today made me realized why I hate retail pharmacy. I don't understand how some people can subject themselves to this. I mean the money is probably better, but if not dreading my job means less money so be it. I respect the pharmacist that do work in retail cause it sucks. However, I think I'd give away a kidney before I have to do this forever. I like a lot of things about pharmacy, but retail just makes me go "what the heck am I getting myself into", but I have to keep reminding myself that retail is not the only options available for pharmacist. Sigh. *Fills out apps*.🙁

Well, as a retail Pharmacist of about 30 years I can tell you it's all about who's in charge to how a retail pharmacy's operations run. I work in a fairly busy Wal-Mart--over 600 on Mondays and anywhere from 350-500 the rest of the week, except Saturdays--about 220 or so. We have a wonderful atmosphere--3 pharmacists on Monday 2 on tues-friday and 1 on saturday. Like everyone says it's hectic, the phone never ceases to ring and we do have our share of yellers, but........we're all pretty laid back, very patient and have great techs. And to top it all off, we all counsel on ALL new rx's, and average 50-60 otc counsults every day. Patients have a problem with the price of their medication, we call the Dr and try to help them out. We all work pretty fast so for the most part it's smooth, of course sometimes demand comes in spurts and then we do get bogged down a bit. And outside of the few PITA's we are so good to our patrons that they are more than willing to wait that few extra minutes. We have a pharmacy student in the summer and I think he's learning a lot. Generally kindness, patience, and helpfulness are returned, just like being rude is returned by rudness. I know retail isn't for everyone but I personally wouldn't trade it for anything else. If you ever are fortunate enough to work with a really caring Pharmacist that can work at a decent speed, I think you'd enjoy the experience much more.

 

[Sparda29]

I don't even scan the extra care cards anymore. If the front store manager gets on my case, I'll just scan everything on my own CVS card.

 

[168533]

I don't even scan the extra care cards anymore. If the front store manager gets on my case, I'll just scan everything on my own CVS card.

It's annoying. I ask them if they have a card, and they start trying to dig all over for it. This just makes the people waiting pissed off and angry at me.

 

[Texas PharmDoc]

Well, as a retail Pharmacist of about 30 years I can tell you it's all about who's in charge to how a retail pharmacy's operations run. I work in a fairly busy Wal-Mart--over 600 on Mondays and anywhere from 350-500 the rest of the week, except Saturdays--about 220 or so. We have a wonderful atmosphere--3 pharmacists on Monday 2 on tues-friday and 1 on saturday. Like everyone says it's hectic, the phone never ceases to ring and we do have our share of yellers, but........we're all pretty laid back, very patient and have great techs. And to top it all off, we all counsel on ALL new rx's, and average 50-60 otc counsults every day. Patients have a problem with the price of their medication, we call the Dr and try to help them out. We all work pretty fast so for the most part it's smooth, of course sometimes demand comes in spurts and then we do get bogged down a bit. And outside of the few PITA's we are so good to our patrons that they are more than willing to wait that few extra minutes. We have a pharmacy student in the summer and I think he's learning a lot. Generally kindness, patience, and helpfulness are returned, just like being rude is returned by rudness. I know retail isn't for everyone but I personally wouldn't trade it for anything else. If you ever are fortunate enough to work with a really caring Pharmacist that can work at a decent speed, I think you'd enjoy the experience much more.

Well said.

 

[Sparda29]

Just take your own card out and scan that for every transaction where the customer doesn't present their card. That way, you get "rewards" since CVS gives back 2% of all the money spent on that card.

 

[Lo|a]

oh goodness i love that this post is here so i can rant because i just got home from work at the retail pharmacy and it was the worst day ever! i work as the clerk and we have it pretty bad too because we have to stay at the front where the customers have easy access so they bitch at us all the time. today this old lady was bitching the hell out of me and asked for the pharmacist so that she can bitch to the pharmacist about me while i was standing there. and i didn't do anything wrong! it was one of the techs fault for leaving out one of her prescriptions and then of course the process of filling it takes forever and i was really helpless in the whole situation. granted i was giving her dirty looks...but really....how do you keep a smile on your face when someone is saying nasty things to you? the pharmacy i work at is really bad because it's a high volume pharmacy and we're short staffed so everyone has to work at speedy gonzales pace and things get overlooked all the time. so i understand why patients are pissed off, i just wished that they didn't take it out on me and instead blame it on management for being so cheap and not hiring enough pharmacists and techs to get the work done.

also the addicts that come in that try to double dip make me sad. mostly because the pharmacists turn a blind eye to it because they don't want trouble or a lawsuit since it is a well known retail chain and so instead of addressing the problem, they tell them to go to another pharmacy.

I agree, I work as a clerk and pharm tech-in-training, and clerks do get the worst of it. It's already hard enough that we don't know what's going on, then in comes a guest who thinks it's our fault that their insurance didn't cover their meds or that someone accidently put the wrong meds in their bags. I hate it the most when a guest comes in and asks a ridicous question and when I tell them to wait so I can go ask a tech, they get all pissed off. I just want them to hurry up and train me so I won't have to run to a tech everytime a guest asks a question.

 

[Lo|a]

Well, as a retail Pharmacist of about 30 years I can tell you it's all about who's in charge to how a retail pharmacy's operations run. I work in a fairly busy Wal-Mart--over 600 on Mondays and anywhere from 350-500 the rest of the week, except Saturdays--about 220 or so. We have a wonderful atmosphere--3 pharmacists on Monday 2 on tues-friday and 1 on saturday. Like everyone says it's hectic, the phone never ceases to ring and we do have our share of yellers, but........we're all pretty laid back, very patient and have great techs. And to top it all off, we all counsel on ALL new rx's, and average 50-60 otc counsults every day. Patients have a problem with the price of their medication, we call the Dr and try to help them out. We all work pretty fast so for the most part it's smooth, of course sometimes demand comes in spurts and then we do get bogged down a bit. And outside of the few PITA's we are so good to our patrons that they are more than willing to wait that few extra minutes. We have a pharmacy student in the summer and I think he's learning a lot. Generally kindness, patience, and helpfulness are returned, just like being rude is returned by rudness. I know retail isn't for everyone but I personally wouldn't trade it for anything else. If you ever are fortunate enough to work with a really caring Pharmacist that can work at a decent speed, I think you'd enjoy the experience much more.

This is very true. On the weekends we have floater pharmacists and I have to admit some of our floaters are way better and more efficient than our regular pharmacists...you can definitely feel the difference.

 

[Pre Pharmacist]

Just take your own card out and scan that for every transaction where the customer doesn't present their card. That way, you get "rewards" since CVS gives back 2% of all the money spent on that card.

Once you punch in your CVS ID number, you won't be able to use your "OWN" CVS card.

 

[Pre Pharmacist]

Yay I get to rant on this thread too.

At CVS I get searched in front of customers all the time. How come pharmacist don't get searched? I thought all employees are treated equal.

But yea, I hate when customers bring some front store items and tells me the item is 75% off and when I do scan it, it says NO. Next step is to look at the CVS Sale Magazine. Nope! it's not on sale. They always come up wit the bull**** and say, "Well the sign says it's 75% off" So I tell them to go up front and have the manager override it. Then they tell me they want to pay with check and wants one transaction only with their Rx. So I'm like, "OK OK, I'll have to check the aisle to see if it's really 75% off." Next step is to find the aisle cause they forgot where they got it. The whole process is a waste of time. Customers are always right. It's CVS fault for making the pharmacy a fast food chain. Unfortunately, I can't quit CVS now.

Oh yea, I only received a 2% raise (6% is standard) on my 1st year anniversary with CVS even though I passed my PTCB and always completed my task. My 2% raise was based on the evaluation test. They say my score was below the standard because I haven't mastered the RX2000. I know all the basic and the most important ones but Im still uncomfortable with fixing rejected claims. So, I lost points on that. (Techs are not supposed to fix DUR errors anyway according to CVS policy. However, Techs at any CVS are required to know it and fix DUR errors anyway). Im the newest member at work so they placed me on the cashier. If I work at the register 98% of the time then how am I supposed to memorized the operating system? CVS expects me to know all of this because I've been working with them for 1 year. I told them about the Law of Progressive Education, meaning you learn more by doing instead of memorizing, but they don't understand that. lol. But yea since Im the newest tech, the veteran techs will not work at the register. It's not right! but it's all good. I can't really do anything.

 

[RaradX]

all i got to say is that find a private pharmacy and fast

 

[Sparda29]

Once you punch in your CVS ID number, you won't be able to use your "OWN" CVS card.

Should have clarified. I didn't mean the employee card. Just whatever CVS card you were using before becoming an employee.

And more bull****, the first time this has happened in 2 years I've worked, the entire store has to attend a frikkin store meeting at 6AM in the morning this Saturday because of high theft rates (on crap like condoms, beauty products, candy)

I usually work Saturdays 10AM-6PM, so now I gotta come in at 6AM, and when the meeting ends (at 7AM) I gotta go back home because the pharmacy doesn't open until 8AM and I'm not scheduled until 10AM. I hope I'm being paid for the meeting.

6% is pretty crappy for getting PTCB Certified. So if you made $10/hr before, whoopie, now you make $10.60. I was expecting like a $5-10/hr raise, otherwise I wouldn't have even bothered taking the test.

 

[168533]

Should have clarified. I didn't mean the employee card. Just whatever CVS card you were using before becoming an employee.

And more bull****, the first time this has happened in 2 years I've worked, the entire store has to attend a frikkin store meeting at 6AM in the morning this Saturday because of high theft rates (on crap like condoms, beauty products, candy)

I usually work Saturdays 10AM-6PM, so now I gotta come in at 6AM, and when the meeting ends (at 7AM) I gotta go back home because the pharmacy doesn't open until 8AM and I'm not scheduled until 10AM. I hope I'm being paid for the meeting.

6% is pretty crappy for getting PTCB Certified. So if you made $10/hr before, whoopie, now you make $10.60. I was expecting like a $5-10/hr raise, otherwise I wouldn't have even bothered taking the test.

I think they have to pay you. They can't make you come to something like that without paying (don't quote me on that). Maybe it's because I live in MS, but they started me off on 8 dollars, and I'm PTCB certified. I started at $8.50 at Walgreens, but I had no prior pharmacy experience. I wonder how much CVS pays for non PTCB certified peeps.