The great tech shortage of 2021.

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WVUPharm2007

WVUPharm2007

imagine sisyphus happy
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Pharmacist
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Had 5 techs quit in a period of about 6 weeks.

Another one called out yesterday and no showed today.

Might could be 6 in 6.

Recs are out. Nobody is even remotely interested. $16/hr starting out isn't moving the needle one iota.

Down to two full time techs and a part timer that I have little confidence in.

From what I understand, we are far from alone. This is an issue all over. People are sick of dealing with the psychos that make up the general public. We might have to offer $20/hr to actually staff this place. Maybe more.

Gonna be one hell of a **** show until then.
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WVUPharm2007 said:
Had 5 techs quit in a period of about 6 weeks.

Another one called out yesterday and no showed today.

Might could be 6 in 6.

Recs are out. Nobody is even remotely interested. $16/hr starting out isn't moving the needle one iota.

Down to two full time techs and a part timer that I have little confidence in.

From what I understand, we are far from alone. This is an issue all over. People are sick of dealing with the psychos that make up the general public. We might have to offer $20/hr to actually staff this place. Maybe more.

Gonna be one hell of a **** show until then.
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techs deserve more.
 
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Retail pharmacy is absolutely the bottom of the barrel combining the worst of health care (corporatchik garbage metrics + bullcrap expectations) with degen bat**** customers now with a layer of COVID-19 shots on top + testing. Good for techs for quitting even if they don't have another job lined up.
 
Luckily I'm only down 1 part timer and was able to quickly hire a replacement so should be running smoothly soon-ish. The new hire is a former EMT so already used to being underpaid while putting up with more than his fair share of bull****. Hopefully he lasts.

Talked to a guy who did staffing analytics for us and we have exactly one other store that is fully staffed in my greater metro area.
 
WorthlessOxygen said:
Luckily I'm only down 1 part timer and was able to quickly hire a replacement so should be running smoothly soon-ish. The new hire is a former EMT so already used to being underpaid while putting up with more than his fair share of bull****. Hopefully he lasts.
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Retail pharmacy is probably a cakewalk compared to being an EMT lol
 
I am pretty sure our hospital (who pays more than retail) has never been fully staffed with techs for the last 20 years - lot of responsibility for lower than average pay. Most of the good ones always move on to bigger and better things eventually.
 
Dred Pirate said:
I am pretty sure our hospital (who pays more than retail) has never been fully staffed with techs for the last 20 years - lot of responsibility for lower than average pay. Most of the good ones always move on to bigger and better things eventually.
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I'd imagine those moving on are no longer working as pharmacy techs since the hospital setting is pretty much the best place they can work for as a pharmacy technician
 
Pronounce Doxazosin said:
This is not just pharmacy
Just about every business is in need of people
I wonder why… [sarcasm]
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No, this is retail pharmacy. especially large chain retail pharmacy. Work is too hard, pressure, us too high low reward, little chnace for advancement and combine that with low pay and nobody wants that job. Also, the pandemic changed everything.
 
WVUPharm2007 said:
Had 5 techs quit in a period of about 6 weeks.

Another one called out yesterday and no showed today.

Might could be 6 in 6.

Recs are out. Nobody is even remotely interested. $16/hr starting out isn't moving the needle one iota.

Down to two full time techs and a part timer that I have little confidence in.

From what I understand, we are far from alone. This is an issue all over. People are sick of dealing with the psychos that make up the general public. We might have to offer $20/hr to actually staff this place. Maybe more.
Click to expand...

I can't get technicians for an office based $20/hr position completing prior authorizations, 9-5, no weekends/holidays. I've had declinations after the phone screen once I mention the range of the position.
 
Are chain pharmacists able to pay techs whatever they want? They were getting $9/hr when I was there and kept cutting hours. Now that are offering $16 and maybe even more?
 
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Walmart in many parts of northern CA (didn't check central coast) now paying PTCB/ExCPT-certified techs $22.50/hr with no prior exp ("work credits")

Don't think WM is getting too many bites in the SF Bay Area tbh

$20/hr 9-5 no weekends/holidays is pretty cush compared to retail.
 
awval999 said:
I can't get technicians for an office based $20/hr position completing prior authorizations, 9-5, no weekends/holidays. I've had declinations after the phone screen once I mention the range of the position.
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Can it be done from home instead? Or is the opportunity in FL? I know people who would jump at this opportunity.

Heck if it can be done from home I am tempted lol
 
Sine Cura said:
Walmart in many parts of northern CA (didn't check central coast) now paying PTCB/ExCPT-certified techs $22.50/hr with no prior exp ("work credits")

Don't think WM is getting too many bites in the SF Bay Area tbh

$20/hr 9-5 no weekends/holidays is pretty cush compared to retail.
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my workplace pays 19.50$ per hour for 40 hours a week. 10 hour shifts and 4 weeks of CTO. still having hard time finding techs. they are thinking to bump it up to 22 now. so senior techs will get between 22-25 per hour. And of course no raise for pharmacists. (as they get more than 30 applicants for one spot).
 
Alexis_pharmD said:
my workplace pays 19.50$ per hour for 40 hours a week. 10 hour shifts and 4 weeks of CTO. still having hard time finding techs. they are thinking to bump it up to 22 now. so senior techs will get between 22-25 per hour. And of course no raise for pharmacists. (as they get more than 30 applicants for one spot).
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There are spots in NE Pennsylvania and in Virginia where they can't find pharmacists, either. People are just sick of being a retail worker. It sucks.
 
Thought it was just our area. A 24hour store had 5 technicians no-show lol.

I'm a newer manager. 2 technicians quit right before I got there, another 2 technicians were already on their way out, and one got fired.

No one's even touching the req that's been open. Perfect timing for flu season and 3rd covid shots.

Being manager is fun.
 
owlegrad said:
Can it be done from home instead? Or is the opportunity in FL? I know people who would jump at this opportunity.

Heck if it can be done from home I am tempted lol
Click to expand...
After one year of experience the technician has the option to work up to 50% of their shifts pre-scheduled remote. Obviously there is productivity metrics. I do have some techs that want to be at the office 100%.
 
At least 3-4 people have quit in past year and others are actively looking for the jobs at my place so they will be gone anytime now. And it’s everywhere. We receive emails everyday from neighbor stores begging for help; OT approved etc.

Honestly if i were a tech, I wouldn’t do this job for < $30 an hour. This is literally is ****iest job out there.
 
Wait, you mean people are actually understanding what value is? Completely agreed, this is solely a corporate responsibility; there just isn't enough incentive given all the training & having to constantly put up with **** all day.

My prediction is equilibrium will be re-established when the majority of baby boomers die off either from not taking meds long term or just being too stubborn/bitter-resentment attitude towards healthcare to pay their meager co-pays which are peanuts compared to hospital care. No one wants to deal with these type who demand the pharmacist for tech tasks (makes RPh feel undervalued/demeaning as well)

Maybe retail chains will finally get the picture and drop store front non-sense & focus more on pharmacy. I have never understood why store front has the staff it does (number hours) vs. pharmacy tech hours makes zero sense (honestly, everyone goes back to pharmacy anyways to ask where stuff is)
 
CVS is mandating COVID vaccines to their pharmacists. Technicians and front end employees interact with customers more than us so they will probably be required to get the COVID vaccine, too. I think this is a really bad idea since we already have big plastic shields and masks and another plastic shield when we give vaccines. More employees will quit.
 
dmd20000 said:
CVS is mandating COVID vaccines to their pharmacists. Technicians and front end employees interact with customers more than us so they will probably be required to get the COVID vaccine, too. I think this is a really bad idea since we already have big plastic shields and masks and another plastic shield when we give vaccines. More employees will quit.
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Nah, I'd rather they just get the damn vaccine.
 
Having to force healthcare employees to get the vaccine is like something out of the upside down to me. Actually having to force anyone to get the vaccine is pretty wild to me but especially healthcare workers.

Having said that, I do wonder how many people would quit if my employer required it. I suspect there would be a lot of complaining but very few resignations.
 
Many anti-vaxers at my shop. People are already talking about quitting if vaccine is mandated. Not sure it’s all talk and they will walk the walk, but it sure will further annoy already dissatisfied associates. I personally think it’s a bad idea from retaining associates perspective.

I got my vaccine btw.
 
And pharmacies are making $40 per covid shot.. So they CAN afford to pay their techs more. They just don’t want to.. They just want salaried pharmacists to stay extra and finish the job without additional pay.
 
If CVS mandates it maybe I can get some of those anti-vaxxers.

All the techs got COVID already or took the vaccine (or both)
 
So we finally have extra hours given to us, but no techs to work them. I had several interviews scheduled last week but no one showed up. I guess the reputation of the company is known.
 
Wahmart will never mandate that people take the vaccine as a good chunk of people will just quit

Hail the NEETpocalypse
 
owlegrad said:
Having to force healthcare employees to get the vaccine is like something out of the upside down to me. Actually having to force anyone to get the vaccine is pretty wild to me but especially healthcare workers.

Having said that, I do wonder how many people would quit if my employer required it. I suspect there would be a lot of complaining but very few resignations.
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Nurses are picketing regarding this
 
TikiTorches said:
Nurses are picketing regarding this
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No discipline overestimates their own knowledge base quite like how some nurses do.

You can try to tell them anything, no matter how specialized and specific, and they will just look at you with contempt and say "I'm a nurse." As if to say "I know all. I don't need your advice."

I'm not trying to say all nurses...just...you know the ones I'm talking about. We all know one. Like how we all know that pharmacist that is an a-hole to any customer getting a schedule II just because.
 
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Technicians are demanding $25/hr even though 99% of them don't deserve it. Once tech pay goes up as fast as pharmacist pay goes down, boards will begin the tech practitioner transition. We've already begun doing it in several clinics across Fort Worth and Austin. Pharmacists only exist for their license.
 
Automation will take over rph jobs. Don’t see techs ever taking over robs. They can do stuff like immunizations etc. but don’t see board approving them to councel or verify scripts.
 
There's a pharmacist shortage?
 
All chains are hiring right now for temporary covid positions. And from what I have seen most temporary rphs get in full time.

Of course salary won’t be what it used to be but you will get a job and enough hours. Pharmacists are in demand right now because they need to cover covid sick leave and do covid/ flu shot clinics.
 
Chains make $40 per covid shot. They are making lot of money from this.
 
They will just say it's a one off for 2021-2022 then they will have to acquire vaccine privately.

You could make 100/shot and they will never increase pharmacist wages to make up for the wage stagnation over the past 5-7 years. Pharmacists can make $30/hr in today's wages and they will never increase labor budget

Chain pharmacy is failing just like the rest of the economy that depends on an ample supply of slave-wagers
 
WVUPharm2007 said:
Had 5 techs quit in a period of about 6 weeks.

Another one called out yesterday and no showed today.

Might could be 6 in 6.

Recs are out. Nobody is even remotely interested. $16/hr starting out isn't moving the needle one iota.

Down to two full time techs and a part timer that I have little confidence in.

From what I understand, we are far from alone. This is an issue all over. People are sick of dealing with the psychos that make up the general public. We might have to offer $20/hr to actually staff this place. Maybe more.

Gonna be one hell of a **** show until then.
Click to expand...
Interesting

A true shortage. Once stimulus wears off that should change in a hurry

But the ruling class is clever and devious. This is the perfect excuse to push for more open borders and warm bodies. More cheap labor later, and future voters
 
knight on horse said:
Interesting

A true shortage. Once stimulus wears off that should change in a hurry

But the ruling class is clever and devious. This is the perfect excuse to push for more open borders and warm bodies. More cheap labor later, and future voters
Click to expand...

Good. They should open the borders. Open those bitches wide. Suburban Americans are lazy as ****. All of my best employees have been Eastern European immigrants. I had an entire crew of Albanians that kicked ass. They never complained about anything and got **** done. Americans bitch, moan, and play on Facebook all day. But they all left because they can, frankly, do better. One went to pharmacy school because he knows he could easily do the job better than 90% of the pharmacists he dealt with. One left to become a nurse anesthesiologist. The other left to do something, not sure what exactly, but probably better than CVS.

Hell, I'm out here trying to get some of those Afghan refugees in here. They spent the last year running from the Taliban. They can handle Bill bitching about his metformin copay no problem. 40 people in line at the register? Ha...oh no. They dodged AK-47 bullets a few weeks ago. Bring me some of those people.

Stop getting my hopes up.
 
alpha12 said:
Not racist at all.
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Yeah that was totally uncalled for. I know people are going to complain about “overmoderating” and such but we don’t need racist on SDN. Their avatar was also pretty offensive imo. Let them spread their hate speech somewhere else.
 
knight on horse said:
Interesting

A true shortage. Once stimulus wears off that should change in a hurry
Click to expand...
It's been proven time and time again that the stimulus or the extend UI payments have nothing to do with the labor shortage. People are no longer willing to risk their life for slave like wages.
knight on horse said:
But the ruling class is clever and devious. This is the perfect excuse to push for more open borders and warm bodies. More cheap labor later, and future voters
Click to expand...
Do you seriously believe this crap?
 
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