Target, Walgreens or CVS tech comparison questions

[gremlinsxx]

Of Target, Walgreens or CVS, which generally pays techs and pharmacists better?
I ask about pharmacists too, because I'm going to try to get into pharmacy school later and would think a transition within a company would be easier.

I read somewhere that CVS will pay for tech training. Do any of the others do that?

I also read that Target reimburses a small portion of their pharmacists' schooling loans. Do any of the others do that?

Which of these do you work at and how do you like it? Are the others less stressful?

Lastly, is it usually preferred for techs to work part time or full time? I'd prefer part time, but I don't want that to be a knock against me.

Answers to any of these would be helpful. Thanks guys.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[Jibby321]

Of Target, Walgreens or CVS, which generally pays techs and pharmacists better?
I ask about pharmacists too, because I'm going to try to get into pharmacy school later and would think a transition within a company would be easier.

I read somewhere that CVS will pay for tech training. Do any of the others do that?

I also read that Target reimburses a small portion of their pharmacists' schooling loans. Do any of the others do that?

Which of these do you work at and how do you like it? Are the others less stressful?

Lastly, is it usually preferred for techs to work part time or full time? I'd prefer part time, but I don't want that to be a knock against me.

Answers to any of these would be helpful. Thanks guys.

I can speak for CVS and I strongly dislike that company. I know many pharmacists and they are on their way out of the company. I left for another company that is much better. I have worked part time for the past 3 years total as a tech.

 

[pharm6]

I work for target as a tech. I started with no experience no schooling or registration- they trained me and I took a test through Target, they send the results to the national board of pharmacy and pay for my registration. I think this may vary from state to state. Target no longer reimburses for pharmacy schooling (I wish :/). As for pay its definitely on the low end of the spectrum but I absolutely love it there. It's not as busy as a cvs or walgreens so there's less staff at target. We still et busy most days but there's time to learn from the pharmacist and we know the majority of our patients pretty well and greet them by name which is nice. Hope this helps!

 

[gremlinsxx]

I can speak for CVS and I strongly dislike that company. I know many pharmacists and they are on their way out of the company. I left for another company that is much better. I have worked part time for the past 3 years total as a tech.

CVS treating employees unfairly seems to be the consensus, so I'll keep that in mind. Thanks. Did you leave for an independent?

 

[gremlinsxx]

I work for target as a tech. I started with no experience no schooling or registration- they trained me and I took a test through Target, they send the results to the national board of pharmacy and pay for my registration. I think this may vary from state to state. Target no longer reimburses for pharmacy schooling (I wish :/). As for pay its definitely on the low end of the spectrum but I absolutely love it there. It's not as busy as a cvs or walgreens so there's less staff at target. We still et busy most days but there's time to learn from the pharmacist and we know the majority of our patients pretty well and greet them by name which is nice. Hope this helps!

No! Why did they get rid of reimbursement may I ask? It definitely helps. I appreciate it.

 

[Jibby321]

CVS treating employees unfairly seems to be the consensus, so I'll keep that in mind. Thanks. Did you leave for an independent?

No I still work for a major company.

 

[pharm6]

I think I remember reading that people were getting school paid for but were slacking and not completing their schooling. Something along those lines... I think a or of people who didn't even care for pharmacy school were just trying to take advantage of the situation

 

[Jibby321]

Cvs has a tech training course that is done by a district trainer which is coupled with on the job training which will ultimately get you licensed. Not what I would consider "school" though.

 

[ILPharmGirl]

I can't speak on Walgreen's pay, but while I was with them for my externship I did the majority of their computer based training and it was really good at getting me prepared for working in the pharmacy. I really think it all depends on the staff at the pharmacy you work for, but they ones I worked with were so very helpful in making sure I understood how to do things there.

I've heard a bunch of bad things about CVS, so avoiding them like the plague (especially if I don't have to do retail).

 

[photografreak]

I'm a part time tech at Walgreens. You do a lot of computer modules then they show you the basics of what you need to know (insurance processing, workflow, etc.) I worked at a busy 24 hour store so I had to learn really quickly. I was already certified when I was hired but Walgreens provides you with the materials needed to study for the PTCB and I believe some districts have PTCB classes too.

When I first started, I wanted to cry everytime I was there. It doesn't help that we have 2 drive-thru lanes 😡. But after a while you just get used to it.

Initially, I worked 5-8 hours a week at my home store. After two months, other Walgreens stores in my area started calling me to cover vacation or sick calls. I actually ended up working 40 hours a week between different stores. I guess that's what I like about Walgreens since there's a lot of stores in my area I can pick up extra hours from those stores.

 

[gremlinsxx]

I'm a part time tech at Walgreens. You do a lot of computer modules then they show you the basics of what you need to know (insurance processing, workflow, etc.) I worked at a busy 24 hour store so I had to learn really quickly. I was already certified when I was hired but Walgreens provides you with the materials needed to study for the PTCB and I believe some districts have PTCB classes too.

When I first started, I wanted to cry everytime I was there. It doesn't help that we have 2 drive-thru lanes 😡. But after a while you just get used to it.

Initially, I worked 5-8 hours a week at my home store. After two months, other Walgreens stores in my area started calling me to cover vacation or sick calls. I actually ended up working 40 hours a week between different stores. I guess that's what I like about Walgreens since there's a lot of stores in my area I can pick up extra hours from those stores.

Thank you. I'll have to keep an eye out for stores with 2 drive-thrus (in order to avoid them). I used to work fast food, so if it's anything like that I have at least some experience. Is it optional or do you HAVE to cover other stores when people call in sick?

 

[gremlinsxx]

I can't speak on Walgreen's pay, but while I was with them for my externship I did the majority of their computer based training and it was really good at getting me prepared for working in the pharmacy. I really think it all depends on the staff at the pharmacy you work for, but they ones I worked with were so very helpful in making sure I understood how to do things there.

I've heard a bunch of bad things about CVS, so avoiding them like the plague (especially if I don't have to do retail).

For an externship is that for if you are doing a training program at a school and paying for it? I've looked at my state's requirements and these are my three options. If you or anybody knows, could you tell me which seems the best of the below options? If there is any way I could get paid to do training hours, I would prefer that, but I'm not sure which companies offer it.

-a pharmacy technician training program offered by a board-approved, accredited
vocational/technical institution or college;
- a pharmacy technician training program accredited by a board-approved, national
organization that accredits pharmacy technician training programs;
- a pharmacy technician training program provided by a branch of the United States
armed forces or Public Health Service;
- an employer-based program that includes a minimum of 240 hours in a one year
period of both theoretical and practical instruction.

 

[photografreak]

Thank you. I'll have to keep an eye out for stores with 2 drive-thrus (in order to avoid them). I used to work fast food, so if it's anything like that I have at least some experience. Is it optional or do you HAVE to cover other stores when people call in sick?

It's optional. Sometimes they call you weeks ahead if they know someone's going on vacation but sometimes they call up to a few hours before the shifts starts. You can call them back i you want to work or you can just pretty much ignore it. I don't get a lot of hours at my home store since I'm only part time and at the bottom based on seniority. 🙂