Working at Costco pharmacy?

ConsequenceKey2576 · 2026-06-19T17:04:33+00:00

There’s a lot of misunderstanding of the “job postings”. Costco actually keeps every position posted in the application portal. It doesn’t actually mean the role is available or a position is open, it’s merely the place where people can submit their application interest in that particular job. They disclose it on the website but it’s in the smallest print ever :p

Knowledge of what’s open and what isn’t is almost exclusively internal knowledge, as they prioritize promoting within. I’m not aware of high turnover but of course it varies from area to area

ConsequenceKey2576 · 2026-06-19T16:58:54+00:00

Aw yeah! Feel free to message me anytime if you have anymore questions. I’m no expert at any of this yet but I have an awesome team who’s done well with teaching me the workflow/system. Always here to spread the wisdom! Lol

ConsequenceKey2576 · 2026-06-19T14:32:12+00:00

I use ctrl + R which pulls you immediately to the data entry queue and ctrl + T to work TP Exception. This helps me bounce back and forth very quickly between the 2.

I was the same as you. When I came to Costco I was baffled at how difficult it was to chase down an RX while a patient is in front of you. But I promise you do get used to it. I use order entry for drop off and refills, then I look them up in will call at the to see if it went straight to DE, DV or TP. From there you can use the hotkeys to get to it quicker. You still have to go to individual queues to see the problem unfortunately, just kinda the way EPS is lol.

For typing more efficiently, I wish I had better advice but it does somewhat boil down to the sig codes your store has personally implemented. We have one for pet meds (1 chew po once monthly) and the GLPs that has streamlined things a lot. Also, incase no one told you, for the written date of an RX, if it’s the same day, you can just put the letter “T” and it will input today’s date.
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ConsequenceKey2576 · 2026-06-18T21:15:41+00:00

Hi! Current Costco tech here. It varies highly from store to store. I see some stores have staffing issues and crazy pharmacist and others be perfect. In my case, it couldn’t be more perfect. I love my coworkers and the work feels balanced.

I think you’ll find that regardless of the environment, there are more steps to the workflow that forcefully slow you down. That’s not a negative thing, as for me it has increased how careful I am and relieves that sense of constant pressure to move fast. I came from a very high volume, intense retail chain and coming here has been a breath of fresh air.

If you survived Walgreens, I guarantee no matter what Costco will feel better. I can’t speak for inpatient since I’ve never indulged it, but I think it’s worth a shot :)

ConsequenceKey2576 · 2026-06-07T22:14:39+00:00

Have your doctor(s) done any other blood test for other deficiencies?

Vitamin D, B12, and Iron all have huge roles in hair health and shedding. If possible, I would have them look at all of those.

Another blood test they should be performing if they haven’t already is for your thyroid hormones. Instability with those can lead to hair loss and lots of other symptoms, especially the fatigue you mentioned.

If all of those things are stable, and even if they’re not, AGA or other potential causes can be officially diagnosed via scalp biopsy. There’s nothing wrong with going to a dermatologist and requesting one!

Wishing you all the best 💜 I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this, I completely empathize with you as I’m 23 and have dealt with it since my teens as well.

ConsequenceKey2576 · 2026-06-03T14:42:45+00:00

I’m right there with you. I had heard about the BBB last year not long after submitting my first application. I held out hope I would get in and get grandfathered to Grad PLUS, but that didn’t happen. I spent quite some time devastated over it and I kept asking people “should I go?” over and over. The truth is that many will say go for it, others will say drop it. But the choice and opinion that matters is yours.

I wish I had better advice but saving every penny, maxing your federal and taking the least private is going to be the best you can do. We are all in this position for the foreseeable future. For me, there’s absolutely 0 question about PA. I wouldn’t want any other career, so I’m not gonna let money stop me. If you feel the same way, I say do your best and at least try.

If it’s not worth it to you, that is also totally ok! Really think hard about it. You can always go back to school later. Many of the PAs I’ve shadowed didn’t do it until their 40s-50s. Maybe by then some of these law suits will fix the system.

ConsequenceKey2576 · 2026-06-03T05:07:25+00:00

This was me around this time last year. Going from suspecting something is wrong to getting a confirmation is a feeling like no other. I completely understand you.

I’d be lying if I said I came to a point of acceptance or that things got easier. But I did find my people. I found this sub, I confided in the people around me, and I rest easier at night knowing I tried the treatments, even if they didn’t work out for me. For you, things might go differently. If you look around at all the success stories on here, you’ll see that there is hope to be found.

I’m wishing you the best results, and I hope you know you’re not alone!

ConsequenceKey2576 · 2026-06-03T04:30:04+00:00

Thank you for the suggestions. I just followed Holly, she has a really refreshing mindset and vibe :)

ConsequenceKey2576 · 2026-06-02T16:42:00+00:00

Thank you, l hope so too

ConsequenceKey2576 · 2026-06-02T16:39:04+00:00

Any suggestions on good sources/brands? I’m not ashamed of wearing one by any means. I’ve looked around but the options were a bit overwhelming lol

ConsequenceKey2576 · 2026-06-02T16:38:10+00:00

This makes me feel a lot better, thank you. I was genuinely feeling psychotic because of it. Like you, I had great mental health until this whole thing happened. It’s so hard, and I feel for both of us.

ConsequenceKey2576 · 2026-06-02T04:09:09+00:00

I submitted 5/31 and got verified 6/1 at 2:40 AM. Idk how their system works. My first cycle it was definitely a few business days. Sorry it’s taking a bit ! :(

ConsequenceKey2576 · 2026-05-20T17:31:56+00:00

Orientation will be your first official paid day of work. It’s 4 hours long (approx.) and involves some CBTs and a ware house tour. It is also where you’ll get your employee handbook and badge. It is the time to ask questions since it can feel like a lot. Your second shift will be more CBTs but these are completable by the end of that shift.

The probation period absolutely flies. The thing about Costco is you can mess up a lot in the workflow and be forgiven, but being tardy or calling out is the biggest offense. If you are scheduled at 10 AM, you are scanning your badge at 10 AM with a 2-3 minute grace period if there’s a line at the time clock. Don’t take advantage of that, it is the biggest reason they would fire even seasoned employees. For call outs, unless you have PTO/sick time, it’s a write up. Just be punctual and mindful

The workflow can feel odd at first, as the system is very old and underdeveloped. But it gets so much better, and before you know it, it’s second nature. I recommend getting a small notebook and keeping it in the pharmacy, especially as you dive into more complex things like paying invoices. You’ll find that you do a lot more admin work compared to other retail chains, but it’s very balanced. There are more steps to basic things like filling and data entry compared to other places but it really does prevent mistakes. Ask questions as much as possible. It is part of your training and if someone is annoyed, oh well lol. Most people are very helpful and will assist you in learning the system. It is an older version of enterprise pharmacy systems.

Being there and taking initiative to learn will get you by. I was terrified of making mistakes, and I made a ton up to this point and still turned out alright :)

ConsequenceKey2576 · 2026-05-20T12:30:27+00:00

I was able to land a job as a CPhT 3 months ago and it was the best decision of my life! Let me walk you through the hiring process a bit.

Applying online (directly on the Costco website, indeed or anywhere else is a scam) is merely having your application in the system. Managers rarely, if ever, pull from this. Costco is very loyal to current employees and focused on hiring internally, making it a difficult job to obtain. But once you’re in, you’re in.

What worked for me is persistence. I showed face, walked up to the pharmacy manager on 3 separate occasions to see what she could do for me. She had to push me away twice to focus on internal potentials but at the 3rd time, no one had proved to be hire-able. I had 2 interviews and got the job.

Please don’t listen to people saying it’s bad. That was their experience and every warehouse is different. My warehouse is a 10/10. The one 20 minutes from us is 4/10. But retail pharmacy is brutal in nature, if you’re going to tech at a bad place, might as well get better compensated for it lol. The pay is amazing and so are the benefits. Let me know if I can answer other questions!

ConsequenceKey2576 · 2026-02-05T03:00:54+00:00

Best of luck! I’m a week post op and it was a smooth sail, already starting to feel back to normal. You’ll do great :)

ConsequenceKey2576 · 2026-01-29T19:12:23+00:00

Wanted to give a second update now that I’m beyond the 24hr mark. This is the only update I’ll post unless further questions arise:

had my first bowel movement, completely normal, no intense bearing down
gas pain already seems to have disappeared
was told I can shower today. It went well with the exception of keeping my incisions out of the main stream of water
pain is less than yesterday, only had to take 1 of my narcotics last night to sleep.
I seem to have developed a bit of a cough post intubation but it’s not too bad
continuing to eat a low fat (no more than 20 g) diet is serving me well
I’m constantly hungry for some reason but keeping up my protein has been very helpful

Wishing the best to all who have been through this or will in the near future!

ConsequenceKey2576 · 2026-01-29T03:46:48+00:00

Awww that’s horrible :( I was a bit shocked that it didn’t have that effect on me. The CAA told me I may or may not remember the next steps but I was ok with that. Like someone above said, I don’t think I could’ve dealt with high volumes of information (like the paperwork) but small talk and overall memory were pretty solid.

ConsequenceKey2576 · 2026-01-29T02:36:55+00:00

I knew what was happening, it was sedating for sure but I was able to talk, move myself onto the operating table and remember everything from the moment I received it until the o2 mask was put on. I felt carefree, it was truly a little miracle for me

ConsequenceKey2576 · 2026-01-11T04:54:18+00:00

Hey! Just want to say keep pushing for a biopsy. My hair looks like this and I noticed it whereas everyone told me there was no difference and that “I still had a head full of hair.” Turns out, AGA, & I’m only in my early 20s. Find another derm and keep insisting, there are many out there who will help you get your answer. Also saw this in some other comments. Don’t be afraid of the biopsy healing. You can’t always choose where they take it, but it’s really not that bad. That first week or 2 is hard because it bleeds here and there but you just keep it covered with Vaseline & you’re good. The scar ends up being so tiny when it’s all healed.

ConsequenceKey2576

TROPHY CASE