Anyone else feeling happy the chains in certain areas are desperate for employees?

[DoctorRx1986]

I don’t know what other regional markets are experiencing at this time , but here in South FL there is a massive exodus of pharmacists and technicians from the big chains . Walgreens and CVS are losing pharmacy personnel , pharmacies are closed , no coverage available - a complete nightmare . One of my RxOMs was on a conference call the other day concerning conducting interviews for potential new employees . A pharmacist colleague of mine has informed me that some new grads who were just recently hired at low salaries of $47 per hour have jumped ship to Publix who is currently starting out at $59/hour . There is currently a shortage of pharmacists at chains and other settings nationwide if you do a simple search due to mental health issues , job burnout . I don’t know about you guys , but I’m personally quite satisfied this is happening and the big chains are paying for all their exploitation and abuse . It’s simple supply and demand and right now it appears to be that pharmacy personnel have some more leverage over employers . Either the chains increase pay substantially more or they should prepare to continue suffering . Who in their right mind would want to work for garbage money at $47 an hour or even less when the workload during this pandemic has tripled ? I’m happy these monsters are starting to go under even if temporarily . Enough is enough ! COVID vaccines , testing , higher prescription volume , inadequate staffing , flu testing coming up soon , and a myriad of other responsibilities for low starting salaries ? The days of even high $50s per hour are long over . In this day and age , pharmacists should be making at least mid-60s per hour /$70 per hour . Is it any wonder people are leaving ? I even received an email today that one particular chain is conducting job interviews and looking for pharmacists /Rxms in the Orlando metropolitan area and offering sign on bonuses . I hope no one falls for that bait . Let’s not forget how much worse things will be when the FDA approves the Pfizer vaccine for use in children under 12- a nightmare will ensue if parents bringing in their children for the vaccine . Things will be intolerable and if people are quitting now I suppose more will resign . These companies will have to either increase pay or do something about workloads because barely anyone can handle it anymore . Right now America is in a golden age of greater job leverage and more opportunity, hence the great resignation . We’re starting to see things shift in another direction for pharmacy and a direction we haven’t seen in a while (years). Let’s hope pharmacists continue to stand up for themselves . We are the ones vaccinating the entire country . Tell me - where are the MDs ? They’re not doing anything . We’re doing all the vaccinating , taking all the stress and beating and for the same pay ! I’m glad there is a shortage of pharmacy personnel and I predict it will continue . May we move forward to greener pastures and opportunity and I wish nothing but doom to the American corporations that have ruined and degraded our profession .

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[Pronounce Doxazosin]

If pharmacists want to unionize and strike, now is the time

 

[WorthlessOxygen]

My DM is working the bench at least 1-2 days every week and we're still routinely closing stores due to lack of pharmacists. New grads are still getting licensed so they're expecting to be fully staffed (for pharmacists, techs are nowhere close) within the next few weeks. But I know several who are at least saying that they're leaving if we're expected to launch covid shots for patients <12 without extra help.

 

[RxPreceptor]

Things falling apart in my area...some stores have entirely new staff - both pharmacy and store front. Drive throughs closed or limited operation at various locations, some shifts covered by RPhs without vaccine license credentials? ("best" talent attracted), and some stores with pharmacy hours cut/closed early - can't keep pace with limited, untrained staff.

Yeah, hopefully this will be a sign/lesson for corporate on employee retention, appreciation, and value. Kind of hysterical seeing musical chairs as one employee quits and corporate spread so thin that another familiar face from the past takes said position (former techs, inventory specialists, etc.)...plenty of cross districting going on

 

[ValeRx]

My DM is working the bench at least 1-2 days every week and we're still routinely closing stores due to lack of pharmacists. New grads are still getting licensed so they're expecting to be fully staffed (for pharmacists, techs are nowhere close) within the next few weeks. But I know several who are at least saying that they're leaving if we're expected to launch covid shots for patients <12 without extra help.

Most graduations were 5 months ago. Who is realistically expecting a large number of people to just now get licensed?

 

[JustFillIt]

If pharmacists want to unionize and strike, now is the time

Count me in! Oh yea…. I already left retail 3 years ago and never looked back. I would literally serve high school lunch before I ever get taken advantage of like that again.

 

[WorthlessOxygen]

Most graduations were 5 months ago. Who is realistically expecting a large number of people to just now get licensed?

We have a few grad interns who are taking longer than normal to get licensed. Apparently naplex dates were hard to book and took longer to get (correct) results and the state board is taking significantly longer than normal to post licenses.

I've only actually met one class of 21 grad that is actually licensed and she finally had her license post in the last 7-10 days.

 

[Avex007]

My DM is working the bench at least 1-2 days every week and we're still routinely closing stores due to lack of pharmacists. New grads are still getting licensed so they're expecting to be fully staffed (for pharmacists, techs are nowhere close) within the next few weeks. But I know several who are at least saying that they're leaving if we're expected to launch covid shots for patients <12 without extra help.

We will not be able to shots for under 12. Last week, I spent 40 minutes trying to get a 12 year old to cooperate. the parents forced her child to get it and held her down. I waster 40 freakin minutes! 60 scripts behind

 

[sfachine]

If they quit where are they going?

 

[DoctorRx1986]

If they quit where are they going?

I don’t know , but I imagine if they are quitting it’s because there are other better opportunities out there . Why would you want to work for $58 an hour at the big Red Devils doing everything when you can make similar money at other institutions /work places with more humane working conditions ? These chains want you to break a sweat every single day and continue to add to your job duties while you see not one penny in pay raises . A little more and you watch how pharmacists are going to be prescribing and diagnosing with increased liability while you see nothing . They are trying to convert pharmacies into clinics /doctor offices where you are almost a medical doctor working for less . And then they tell you you should be proud for the privilege . To hell with that . I hope they go down .

 

[quickpic007]

Yup just today called WG for a transfer, straight on phone "we are closed today" other nearby location is open...

Pay for this work is just too low at sub 60 per hour. So many vaccines!

 

[VA77]

Yup just today called WG for a transfer, straight on phone "we are closed today" other nearby location is open...

Pay for this work is just too low at sub 60 per hour. So many vaccines!

Yeah I'm getting used to this response and sadly Wags is just like F*** It. Not a care in the world.

 

[ValeRx]

I say ****'em.

 

[VA77]

I don’t know , but I imagine if they are quitting it’s because there are other better opportunities out there . Why would you want to work for $58 an hour at the big Red Devils doing everything when you can make similar money at other institutions /work places with more humane working conditions ? These chains want you to break a sweat every single day and continue to add to your job duties while you see not one penny in pay raises . A little more and you watch how pharmacists are going to be prescribing and diagnosing with increased liability while you see nothing . They are trying to convert pharmacies into clinics /doctor offices where you are almost a medical doctor working for less . And then they tell you you should be proud for the privilege . To hell with that . I hope they go down .

If Covid has taught pharmacists anything it is that we should run away from provider status because your going to be doing a strep test in one hand and a vaccine in the other. All the while taking a pay decrease or no raise.

Same thing with PBM reforms. Even if more reimburse goes back to the pharmacies that doesn't mean we are getting more pay, hours, or techs. They have seen that they can work people into the ground and there is no trickle down economics just trickle down piss in your mouth.

 

[alpha12]

Count me in! Oh yea…. I already left retail 3 years ago and never looked back. I would literally serve high school lunch before I ever get taken advantage of like that again.

Never expected you to be pro union.

 

[WorthlessOxygen]

We will not be able to shots for under 12. Last week, I spent 40 minutes trying to get a 12 year old to cooperate. the parents forced her child to get it and held her down. I waster 40 freakin minutes! 60 scripts behind

I give flu shots to ages 3 and up. Don't have too many issues with those that are maybe 6-7+ but under that can be annoying. Regardless of age, we can't handle a higher workload. We're already at our max

If they quit where are they going?

If I knew I would probably be with them already.

But honestly most of them have quit with nothing lined up. Some left for other retail chains that have marginally better reputation. A couple got into managed care.

 

[Pronounce Doxazosin]

Welcome to the Great Resignation

 

[JustFillIt]

Never expected you to be pro union.

I roll with the punches - just because I am conservative leaning does not mean I don’t agree with many concepts from the “other side”. If you knew me in RL I think you would see this better.

 

[GrandTheftAutumn]

Seeing them suffer won't undo what they've done to me.

 

[PharmtoCS]

They chains adapted very well when it became an employer’s market; they were quick to dump more work on us, lower our pay, and always remind us that we are replaceable. Now let’s see them try to adapt back to an employee’s market.

 

[RxPreceptor]

They chains adapted very well when it became an employer’s market; they were quick to dump more work on us, lower our pay, and always remind us that we are replaceable. Now let’s see them try to adapt back to an employee’s market.

What goes around, comes around....this is 100% on management/corporate right now. Store hour cuts, unscheduled store closings galore
Take some accountability for once

 

[VA77]

I give flu shots to ages 3 and up. Don't have too many issues with those that are maybe 6-7+ but under that can be annoying. Regardless of age, we can't handle a higher workload. We're already at our max


If I knew I would probably be with them already.

But honestly most of them have quit with nothing lined up. Some left for other retail chains that have marginally better reputation. A couple got into managed care.

I like to hold up the syringe in front of the kids and make the needle shimmer from the lights. Plus, I look like John Malkovich from Con Air so they are afraid to move...lol.

Thus the reason I didn't become a pediatrician because I know my role. The way things are changing, nurses will be dispensing in a decade and we will be inserting catheters. Insurance companies will have doctors mopping the floors.

 

[Sparda29]

I give flu shots to ages 3 and up. Don't have too many issues with those that are maybe 6-7+ but under that can be annoying. Regardless of age, we can't handle a higher workload. We're already at our max


If I knew I would probably be with them already.

But honestly most of them have quit with nothing lined up. Some left for other retail chains that have marginally better reputation. A couple got into managed care.

My hardest patient so far was a 20 something year old who was mentally handicapped who was also built like he could easily kick my ass. His dad was no help. Luckily his mom came in to calm him down and distract him while I administered the dose.

 

[M0df]

I draw the line at 10-15 mins if they don't cooperate. Sorry. Got **** to do

 

[Sabril]

If they quit where are they going?

They'll be back eventually just like in Squid Game

 

[sfachine]

The market is loosening up.More sign on bonuses.More e mails from chains.Not like 2005 but betterI than it was.I still dont know why.An indicator will be to see annual pay raises..

 

[Sunshine98*]

All I care is that the script is right and I get my paycheck.....ohhh you had to wait longer than 15 minutes while I got phones ringing off the hook, short staffed, poor staff, no time to eat, shots, all the lost time with family ....etc...NO sympathy from me. Even got a questionaire from the BOP asking about working conditions. What a joke!! its all about 20 years too LATE!. Only thing good about the pandemic is my 401K....my goal is to be out T minus 5 years and sooner if I continue to get the gains I have the past 2 years!

 

[RxPreceptor]

I like a good challenge in vaccinating a 4 yo every once in a while....they are going to scream/make noise no matter what. Get them stabilized in one of parent's lap & distracted

 

[BenJammin]

It doesn't surprise me to see this celebrated as there's never been a shortage of pharmacists so willing to cut their nose to spite their face. This shortage is empowering large chains to petition state boards for rules they've been asking for.

Tech check tech. Technician verification. Technician counseling. It's coming soon to a state near you! Everyone celebrate!

 

[owlegrad]

Saturation is bad and shortages are bad. Everything is bad.

Did I get that right?

 

[alpha12]

Saturation is bad and shortages are bad. Everything is bad.

Did I get that right?

That's the issue though. When there was a real shortage chains managed to get more schools opened and increase the supply of pharmacists to drive down wages. Now that there is an overall labor shortage they don't want to raise wages. They would just seek alternatives to higher pay.

 

[VA77]

Yeah if any of the state BoP that I'm licensed in ever try to to TCT any include some BS study I'm going to go right after them especially if they are sponsored by any chain pharmacy.

 

[Chrish]

Lol at striking in the middle of pandemic! Be my guest and see what happens to your license.

Anyways, I said before in the other thread but this pandemic has delayed the inevitable downfall of retail pharmacy by at least three years. So, it’s good from job security perspective I guess. Companies have incentive to keep the staff since they are making nice $$ from vaccines and also since they are loosing people left and right. Opportunities are abundant for competent techs and decent for pharmacists.

 

[WorthlessOxygen]

Lol at striking in the middle of pandemic! Be my guest and see what happens to your license.

Nurses are in strike at 2 of my local hospitals and doctors are on strike at one of them. I'm not actually sure what a retail pharmacist strike would look like but I have to imagine it's possible.

 

[BidingMyTime]

Nurses are in strike at 2 of my local hospitals and doctors are on strike at one of them. I'm not actually sure what a retail pharmacist strike would look like but I have to imagine it's possible.

Well, here is how the last retail strike went in Chicago. Pharmacists were shipped in from all over the state or anywhere if they had an IL license. 40 - 60% of the strikers quit after a few days and went back to work. So within a few weeks the union settled without getting anything that they wanted. I can't imagine it going any differently today.

 

[WorthlessOxygen]

Well, here is how the last retail strike went in Chicago. Pharmacists were shipped in from all over the state or anywhere if they had an IL license. 40 - 60% of the strikers quit after a few days and went back to work. So within a few weeks the union settled without getting anything that they wanted. I can't imagine it going any differently today.

When was that? My district is barely managing to find enough pharmacists to keep all our stores open, I can't imagine them finding enough to ship any in from out of the area.

 

[projektreverb]

When was that? My district is barely managing to find enough pharmacists to keep all our stores open, I can't imagine them finding enough to ship any in from out of the area.

Like 2005

 

[GP7777]

It doesn't surprise me to see this celebrated as there's never been a shortage of pharmacists so willing to cut their nose to spite their face. This shortage is empowering large chains to petition state boards for rules they've been asking for.

Tech check tech. Technician verification. Technician counseling. It's coming soon to a state near you! Everyone celebrate!

Does liability falls on Rph or the company if the tech messes up? If liability falls on Rph can someone explain to me how it’s humanly possible for an Rph to prevent a tech from mis-verifying even a single pill, dob, or name? Some states currently have tech check tech right?

 

[sfachine]

Like 2005

That was the golden era.If I remember correctly It was not even over wages but over giving us help.In my opinion no one will risk losing a job.Including me.You need like most unions have, which is a strike fund..The only other option is a sickout.Witn no union you dont even have someone to negotiate .

 

[beckylou]

My DM is working the bench at least 1-2 days every week and we're still routinely closing stores due to lack of pharmacists. New grads are still getting licensed so they're expecting to be fully staffed (for pharmacists, techs are nowhere close) within the next few weeks. But I know several who are at least saying that they're leaving if we're expected to launch covid shots for patients <12 without extra help.

not surprised at all! Was supposed to be doing different activities during my community rotation, but ended up being responsible for all vaccinations. With all the workload, a pharmacist is still expected to conduct MTMs and other administrative duties. How is that even safe??

 

[Dred Pirate]

anytime "the man" hurts, I like it - anything to help the plebs like us have room to negotiate money, hours, etc - take it while you can - I did back in the mid 2000's so don't blame anybody

 

[Dred Pirate]

Does liability falls on Rph or the company if the tech messes up? If liability falls on Rph can someone explain to me how it’s humanly possible for an Rph to prevent a tech from mis-verifying even a single pill, dob, or name? Some states currently have tech check tech right?

everything falls on the pharmacist whose name is on the bottle - can be there corresponding liability on the company? yes - and a good lawyer would go for that as well (companies have more $$ than individual rph's)

 

[VA77]

So TCT states, how the risk and liability fall if there is a mistake? Is it the permit holder?

 

[Dred Pirate]

So TCT states, how the risk and liability fall if there is a mistake? Is it the permit holder?

what is TCT? but basic pharmacy law - any mistake that happens ultimately falls on the supervising pharmacist

 

[VA77]

what is TCT? but basic pharmacy law - any mistake that happens ultimately falls on the supervising pharmacist

Tech check Tech

 

[Dred Pirate]

Tech check Tech

gotcha - again-= basic pharmacy law - the supervising pharmacist is responsible for everything that happens under their watch - you might disagree with this, but if you do, fight your board to not allow it

 

[mikejones123]

We have 9 pharmacists quit from my district in the past month. 2 floaters, 3 pics, 1 overnight, and 3 staff rph. Where are all these Rphs going? I know CVS is a horrible company and I would quit in a second but i never see job openings in my area for pharmacists....so where are all these people quitting going???

 

[alpha12]

We have 9 pharmacists quit from my district in the past month. 2 floaters, 3 pics, 1 overnight, and 3 staff rph. Where are all these Rphs going? I know CVS is a horrible company and I would quit in a second but i never see job openings in my area for pharmacists....so where are all these people quitting going???

Some probably changing careers

 

[Gombrich12]

We have 9 pharmacists quit from my district in the past month. 2 floaters, 3 pics, 1 overnight, and 3 staff rph. Where are all these Rphs going? I know CVS is a horrible company and I would quit in a second but i never see job openings in my area for pharmacists....so where are all these people quitting going???

I imagine some people have spouses that can support the family for awhile, others may have had retirement pushed up a few years because of the stock market. Then there are others who realize their life is literally on the line due to the physical and mental stress of the job and are choosing to jump from the burning building knowing it's going to hurt but they'll probably survive the landing.

I have seen coworkers complaining about chest pains due to the stress and anxiety. If your job is literally killing you what does it matter if you have something lined up?

 

[sfachine]

I imagine some people have spouses that can support the family for awhile, others may have had retirement pushed up a few years because of the stock market. Then there are others who realize their life is literally on the line due to the physical and mental stress of the job and are choosing to jump from the burning building knowing it's going to hurt but they'll probably survive the landing.

I have seen coworkers complaining about chest pains due to the stress and anxiety. If your job is literally killing you what does it matter if you have something lined up?

That does not answer the question.Why now?