CVS Pharmacist Job Description, Key Duties and Responsibilities

By | July 15, 2023
CVS Pharmacist Job Description
The pharmacist at CVS ensures safe and efficient dispensing of medication to patients.

This post presents detailed information on the CVS pharmacist job description and career, including the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities that commonly define the role.

It also highlights the major requirements candidates for the pharmacist role are expected to fulfill to be hired by CVS and other similar employers, as well as the expected salary pharmacists can earn at CVS.

What Does a CVS Pharmacist Do?

The CVS pharmacist job description entails the safe and efficient dispensing of medication to patients.

It also involves verifying the accuracy of prescriptions before giving the medication to the patient.

CVS pharmacist must also ensure that insurance information is up-to-date and that the patient understands their policy.

Their role also includes supervising and training the pharmacy staff, ensuring that they are following company policies and procedures.

They write labels to be used in filling prescriptions.

CVS pharmacists should also know how to fill a prescription correctly, including but not limited to how much medication should be dispensed at one time and the proper dosage for each medication.

They are in charge of inventories, order filling, price changes, and analyzing customer prescription records.

CVS pharmacists must also be able to make sure that the pharmacy records are maintained accurately at all times.  

They must also keep track of all medications for sale, including but not limited to controlled substances.

A CVS pharmacist administers injections or IV fluids as needed when hospitalization or surgery is required by a patient while they are in the store.

It is their duty to notify the police if it appears that a patient may be abusing medication.

More on CVS Pharmacist Job Description

The pharmacist is also legally responsible for ensuring that all medications are locked up in their safe and secure place, in accordance with company policies.

Another duty of the pharmacist at CVS is helping the medical and pharmacy staff to maintain the cleanliness of their store.

They are expected to follow proper sanitary procedures at all times.

An important part of the CVS pharmacist job description is to offer help to any and all customers that may need it.

This is regarding a medication or even the size of clothing that would best fit a particular customer.

They stay up-to-date on any new drugs, diseases, and drug interactions to aid their customers with the best possible care that they deserve.

Protection of data whichever form it may be in, whether it is electronic or hard copy, is a crucial part of their job.

Furthermore, CVS pharmacists must follow strict federal and state privacy laws, as well as verify prescriptions and all other confidential patient information before being released to anyone.

They must ensure that all medications delivered to the pharmacy are stored in the proper storage lockers and that electronic records are kept electronically too.

CVS Pharmacist Job Description Sample/Example/Template

The job description of a CVS Pharmacist involves the following duties, tasks, and responsibilities:

  • Provide consultation to patients on new drug and drug therapy with a focus on the current medical practices and treatment options
  • Order and distribute medication through pharmacies
  • Make prescription fills and other related medications, including those prescribed by physicians or medical staff
  • Prepare, store, and dispense medications according to all local, state, federal and CVS policies and regulations as well as guidelines set forth by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)
  • Provide consultation to patients on the use and purpose of non-prescription medication
  • Make callbacks to clarify or discuss prescriptions
  • Authorize return of medication if they have concerns on patient’s prescription
  • Update Medication Therapy Management (MTM) and conduct related interventions. This include the ability to discuss important information with the patient using an interpreter when necessary
  • Ensure the security of prescription drugs, including the proper storage, counting, and dispensing of drugs
  • Provide consultation to patients on non-prescription drug therapy and inform them of their responsibilities when taking medication
  • Make calls to the doctor’s office to clarify or discuss prescriptions
  • Verify insurance benefits and answer questions regarding medications
  • Answer general questions that might appear on a pharmacy benefit statement.

CVS Pharmacist Job Description for Resume

If you have worked before at CVS as a pharmacist or are presently working there in that role, then you can highlight that experience in the Professional Experience section of your resume if you are making a new resume or CV.

You can apply the sample CVS pharmacist job description above in highlighting the duties and responsibilities you have performed or are presently carrying out in the Professional Experience section of your resume.

This can enhance the effectiveness of your resume, showing that you have been successful performing the role of a pharmacist.

CVS Pharmacist Job Requirements: Skills, Abilities, and Knowledge for Career Success

Here are major requirements you may be expected to meet to be hired as a pharmacist at CVS or other companies:

  • A doctor’s degree in pharmacy or medicine
  • Must be licensed to practice pharmacy or medicine in the state of employment
  • A minimum of 2 to 4 years of experience as a pharmacist, and/or experience working in a retail setting
  • The ability to use computers and other electronic devices, such as electronic prescription pads, laptop computers, tablet computers, printers and fax machines
  • Must possess excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work with patients directly and health care providers (HCPs)
  • Experience in the proper administration and dispensing of prescription drugs
  • At least one year of experience in a pharmacy setting (preferably in a CVS store). Alternatively, a minimum of 5 years general retail experience
  • An understanding of medication adherence, developing care plans, and documenting health issues and treatment plans with patients
  • The ability to communicate effectively with patients, pharmacies, and other healthcare professionals. This is to ensure drug safety and the safe use of medications
  • Strong analytical skills to analyze new medications, interactions between drugs and health issues. This includes their ramifications on patient health after using them appropriately or improperly
  • The ability to understand medical terms and disease processes to help with patient care
  • The ability to move around the store quickly and efficiently, should keep physically fit, and be able to lift up to 45 lbs.
  • Experience in performing pharmacy audits as required for state licensure and/or national accreditation.

CVS Pharmacist Salary

The average annual salary for a CVS pharmacist in the U.S. is $83,126 per year. 

Some of the highest paying cities are Atkinson, NE, $103,641; San Francisco, CA, $99,010; Bolinas, CA, $98,355; Marysville, WA, $96,286; and Ramblewood, PA, $95,099.

As at 2021, CVS has 9,932 stores. California has the most CVS Pharmacy sites in the United States, with 1,150 locations, accounting for approximately 12% of all CVS Pharmacy locations in the United States.

Conclusion

This post is helpful to individuals interested in the CVS pharmacist career. They will be able to learn all they need to know about the duties and responsibilities pharmacists usually perform at CVS.

It is also useful to recruiters/employers in making a detailed job description for the pharmacist position using the sample CVS pharmacist job description provided on this page.

See: CVS Pharmacist Career Opportunities.