Does CVS drug test for pre-employment? This is a common question on the minds of many job seekers who want to work at of one of the largest companies in America. Choosing to work at CVS isn’t just a short-term opportunity. Rather, it’s a great place to gain on the job experience and work for a long time.
An issue that the recreational drug user might face is that of a surprise drug test. Not knowing whether or not CVS tests for drugs could result in you going in for your job interview unprepared, failing the test, and not getting the job. That’s why I performed research on the question whether or not CVS drug tests for pre-employment.
CVS Company Facts
CVS, or CVS Health Corporation, was founded in 1922 as the Melville Corporation. In 1996, 74 years later, it became CVS. The company’s headquarters are located in Rhode Island, currently employing almost quarter of a million people throughout the country. In 2018, CVS ranked seventh on the US Fortune 500 in terms of total revenue.
There are a variety of jobs available, as one would expect, in such a large company. You can apply to work as a pharmacist, pharmacy tech, or an employee in other medical fields like nursing or optometry. There are regular retail jobs available too, like working as a cashier.
CVS Drug Test Policy in 2023
CVS maintains a strict ‘no drug policy’. Almost all employees are screened for drugs at several points in their career. Failing a drug test at CVS will certainly get you fired.
The company tests its employees for amphetamines, opioids, heroine, marijuana, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates, among others. Regardless of what it is you use recreationally, the drug test will detect it. This will definitely get you in a lot of trouble, if not fired.
What to Expect During CVS Hiring Process
The hiring process at CVS isn’t the best thing about working there. Actually the hiring process is a bit completed. Through my research, I found that it can take up to several weeks for a person to finally be hired and start working at CVS.
You can apply for a job online by taking an online assessment. If you pass the online assessment, you will get a phone call from your local store inviting you to come in for an interview. If the interview goes well, you’ll get a call from a different person offering you a job.
The unfortunate thing is that it can take a couple of weeks from the time of getting a job offer to actually starting your orientation at the company.
What really frustrates a lot of prospective employees is that you can’t contact the local store manager to determine the status of your application. The simple reason for this is that the local manager often is not involved in the hiring process.
If you are offered a job at CVS, you might as well just sit back and relax. You’ll be called inyou’re your orientation sooner or later.
Does CVS Drug Test for Employment?
In an overwhelming number of cases, the answer to the question ‘Does CVS do pre-employment drug test’ is yes.
However, in some cases, the answer is ‘maybe’. It seems that prospective cashiers aren’t tested in some CVS stores.
Those working in pharmacy or management positions will definitely be subjected to a pre-employment drug test. However, as stated above, testing varies from location to location with respect to cashiers.
Does CVS drug test on the first interview?
No, they don’t. CVS doesn’t drug test during the first interview.
If you’re applying for a pharmacy or management position at CVs, then you’ll want to abstain from drugs altogether for at least a month and a half before your interview to ensure you pass the test. Those looking for work as a cashier should find some peace of mind in knowing that most branches don’t test for drugs as a precondition of employment.
To be safe however, before your interview you should ask people you know and trust working at the local branch if they test for drugs during the hiring process.
What happens if you fail a CVS drug test?
Failing to pass a drug test will completely rule you out for getting the job you want, even if you had an amazing interview.
CVS takes its ‘no drug policy’ seriously. The company will never hire a person who fails their drug test.
Does CVS Do Random and Pre-Promotional Drug Test?
Yes, CVS randomly tests its employees for drugs. Passing the pre-employment drug test doesn’t mean you can safely go back to using drugs recreationally. Doing so will get you fired if you are subject to a surprise random drug test.
Additionally, if you appear to be high at work, or if you’re involved in a work related accident, you’ll be tested for drugs. However, if you’re just clumsy and not high, then you have no worries (just try not to keep getting involved in accidents). If your drug test is positive for any illicit substance, it will result in your being fired.
People who are up for promotion will also be subjected to a drug test. Therefore, you should refrain from taking any recreational drug well in advance of any anticipated pre-promotional drug test. This way, you can well be sure that your system is clear of any drugs when you take the test. No additional preparation needed.
What Kind of Drug Test Does CVS Use?
CVS uses a urine drug test, which is taken off-site. You will be given a list of clinics to choose from, at which you will be asked to urinate in a cup for submission for testing.
Can You Fail Your Drug Test for Being on Prescription Drugs?
There’s no chance that you’ll fail to be hired because you tested positive for drugs solely as the result of taking prescription drugs. Naturally, the test has no way of telling whether the drugs in your urine are prescription or recreational. Therefore, you should let the testers know prior to the test that you are on prescription drugs.
To reiterate, you should inform the company in advance of any test that you’re on prescription meds. At the same time, you should give CVS your doctor’s contact info so that the company can confirm you are on prescription.
Note that your doctor isn’t allowed to tell CVS what drugs you’ve been prescribed or why you need them. You’re not obliged to tell them either.
How to Pass a Drug Test at CVS?
You have the following three options (depending on your level of use and time till your test) for increasing your odds of passing your urine drug test:
- If you are a heavy user, you abstain from using any drugs, especially marijuana, for at least a month and a half before your test. If you are moderate user, you need to refrain from drugs for 10 to12 days before your test, and a light user for up to 4 to 6 days before the test.
- If you cannot abstain from drugs for a prolong period of time before your test and still have 5 to 10 days before your test, you might consider using a whole body detox program like the Toxin Rid program.
3.If you don’t have enough time to complete a Toxin Rid program, on your drug test day you may consider using a detox drink like Mega Clean (50%/50% chance of working).
There are many other heavily promoted “detox” drinks on the market that users try taking before their drug tests. We have reviewed many of them. So far, Mega Clean is still the most effective among all of them.
We have seen in emergency situations where the drug test is unsupervised some heavy users trying to use synthetic urine. However, there is always the risk of being caught and facing severe penalties for such action.
Summary
In summary, the answer is yes, CVS drug tests for pre-employment. Employment hopefuls who are heavy users should refrain from using drugs at least a month and a half before they take their urine drug test. Drug tests are carried out randomly at CVS and mandatory for any promotion.
Thank you for reading our article “Does CVS drug test for pre-employment?”.
We would love to hear about your experiences going through CVS hiring process and drug testing procedure.
We believe others who are applying for jobs at CVS will definitely appreciate and benefit from it.
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Helpful links:
“How Long Does Weed (THC) Stay in Your Urine? – Important Data You Need to Know!!!”
“Fact or Fiction – You Can Beat a Drug Test with Home Remedies?”
Learn more here:
PMC, Chemistry, Metabolism, and Toxicology of Cannabis: Clinical Implications
American Journal of Clinical Pathology, The Effects of Adulterants and Selected Ingested Compounds on Drugs-of-Abuse Testing in Urine
Jpo.Wrlc.org, The marijuana detection window: Determining the length of time cannabinoids will remain detectable in urine following smoking
https://www.indeed.com/cmp/CVS-Health/faq/drug-test
https://www.indeed.com/cmp/CVS-Health/faq/does-cvs-drug-test-before-hiring?quid=1bihitr1eakgqdvc
