I have been a pharmacy clerk for 1 1/2 years. You start at $7.50 here and when you progressively pass 3 "Kroger" tests you end up with a 1.50 raise. You are supposed to get a raise after 6months but now the new rule is that you have to pass all 3 tests before you can even get your 6 month raise. You are supposed to be trained in the first 6 months but it is so busy that you basically are a cashier for the 1st year struggling to learn everything under extremely stressful circumstances.
None of these tests are for the Certified Pharmacy test. To be certified you have to pay for that test yourself, then Kroger will reimburse you if you pass. If you fail, you are out $150.00.
You are supposed to be given a 15 minute break and a lunch break. You will NEVER be able to take your break. If you are lucky, you may be able to choke down a few bites of food between waiting on customers. You are lucky if you are able to get a pee brake. These rules apply to the real workers, of course. If you are the daughter of someone who works in the Kroger office you are allowed to take many smoke breaks in addition to going to the deli for a delicious lunch which you take to the break room and eat. If you are lucky enough to be that special person you are allowed to pretend that there are no customers in line, RX's to be typed, pills to be counted, or ringing phones to answer. The pharmacy manager/pharmacist is also required to pretend that she sees none of this going on.
The only benefit to this job is that by the time you have been there this long, you can study for the Certified Pharmacy Technician test - by yourself- with books from the library or all the free information online, make sure you pass the test, get your $150.00 reimbursed to you from Kroger for passing the test, and then get a good job as a pharmacy tech working for a hospital or insurance company. You do get a .50 cent raise at Kroger for becoming certified.
I am putting in my 2 weeks notice next week.
Moral of this story? It is hell to work in the Kroger Pharmacy so try to get your education and learn all that you possibly can. Then you can quit when you are confident enough to get a good job with a real company.
GOOD LUCK TO YOU! I stuck it out but it is EXTREMELY hard and stressful.
also, the woman who interviewed me, said they would pay for me to take it up to two times, after that i would be resposible for it. maybe different stores have different policies?