Job: Retail Pharmacist (United States)

I am fortunate to work with many students from a local pharmacy school as my site is an approved externship location. I am surprised at how many of the students, after years of being taught to be clinical thinkers, are lured into working for chains that do not respect their pharmacists or encourage them to assert their clinical acumen, intead treating them like highly paid technicians. Speaking from experience, I can tell you that there are many things to consider when looking at that big beautiful salary. For instance, how much help will you have on a daily basis? Is there a drive through? Do you get a paid lunch? How many hours will you need to stay after close to finish up scripts you had no time to address during paid hours? Where is parking available for employees? Will you have to work holidays? How are holidays staffed? Is there a pain clinic nearby? Do you have to handle cash, i.e., making deposits or filling the registers? Oh how I could go on... just remember what your Momma taught you: if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Nothing will grab attention like a lucrative business opportunity. I recently sold my business to Rite Aid and have retained several accounts that had been a significant source of income in the past. A local Infectious Disease Clinic and a Mental Health Crisis Center have proven to be good accounts for Rite Aid as well. I enjoy catering to the needs of these accounts while having unprecedented support (third party administration/contracting, a/r department, better purchasing, deeper inventories of costly HIV drugs).

It benefits the corporation, the community and myself.