Strategies and Insights for Effective Pharmacy Recruitment

A good pharmacist is hard to find. And, as many organizations are realizing, even tougher to keep. Technician turnover rates are at an all-time high, with nearly one in 10 administrators losing 41% or more of their team members.

To make matters worse, there has been a steady decline in the number of pharmacy graduates. In 2022, 13,323 people graduated from pharmacy schools, down from 14,223 the previous year. This marks the most significant drop in nearly 40 years.

The talent gap is expected to widen, with more pharmacists exiting the sector than entering it. Unfortunately, this means supply cannot keep up with demand. In the first quarter of 2024 alone, 18,903 pharmacist job openings were available. This problem is particularly pronounced in underserved regions, resulting in “pharmacy deserts.”

The staffing shortage doesn’t just increase the workload for existing pharmacists. It can lead to vaccination or prescription errors, longer customer wait times, and increased operational costs.

Healthcare organizations must rethink their pharmacy recruitment strategies. This blog will explore the industry’s key hiring challenges, examine the changing scope of the pharmacist's role, and share actionable strategies to attract and retain top-tier talent.

The Challenges of Pharmacy Recruitment

In addition to talent shortages and high turnover, the pharmaceutical sector faces other significant recruitment challenges, including:

• Burnout: One of the main drivers of pharmacist turnover is work-related stress and burnout. Many pharmacists are taking on expanded roles, increasing their workload and stress.
• Undervalued Role: Pharmacy technicians often feel undervalued due to a lack of professional advancements and low compensation, leading them to seek alternative career paths.
• Complex Regulations: Hiring pharmacists involves navigating stringent regulatory compliances, licensing requirements, and credentialing. This can slow recruitment processes.
• Technology and Automation: The pharmaceutical sector is undergoing a massive technological transformation. Yet, not all pharmacists have embraced automation tools. This has caused an industry-wide divide between antiquated processes and cutting-edge efficiency.

Modern pharmacy recruitment needs a thoughtful and strategic approach tailored to the unique demands of this vital healthcare profession.

Navigating the Evolving Role of Pharmacists

Organizations must understand how the pharmacy landscape has evolved in recent years to implement successful recruitment strategies.

Today’s pharmacists do much more than fill prescriptions. Many are taking on clinical roles, working closely with healthcare providers, and actively participating in direct patient care. These shifts are the result of:

• Growing prioritization of patient-centric care
• Increased complexity of medication regimens

Some of the key roles of modern pharmacists include:

• Medication Therapy Managers: Pharmacists thoroughly review patients’ medication regimens to ensure effectiveness, regulatory adherence, and safety.
• Public Health Advocates: During the COVID-19 pandemic, pharmacists played a key role in testing, vaccination, and public health education campaigns. Many are now certified to administer life-saving vaccines.
• Technology Integrators: With the rise of digital health tools and electronic health records (EHRs), pharmacists must use technology to track and optimize patient care.
• Patient Educators: Pharmacists often serve as the most accessible healthcare professionals, guiding patients on medication adherence, potential side effects, and lifestyle changes.

The growing integration of pharmacists into healthcare teams enhances medication safety, boosts cost efficiency, and improves patient outcomes. However, these evolving roles are not without their unique challenges.

Some of the hurdles organizations are up against include:

• Different state laws on pharmacists’ scope of practice
• Seamlessly integrating pharmacists into existing healthcare teams, workflows, and systems
• Securing pharmacists with technological proficiencies

Employers must look beyond traditional qualifications. Today's ideal pharmacists are as skilled in technology and collaboration as in pharmacology and medication management.

The Unseen Qualities of Exceptional Pharmacists

While credentials and clinical experience are critical, some of the most essential traits of high-performing pharmacists are less obvious but equally vital.

Here are the “unseen” qualities that set exceptional candidates apart:

• Empathy: Great pharmacists show genuine concern for patients’ well-being, fostering trust and improving adherence to treatment plans.
• Attention to Detail: Precision is non-negotiable when managing medication regimens.
• Technologically Savvy: Pharmacists must understand how to leverage technology and automation effectively.
• Communication Skills: The ability to clearly explain complex information to patients and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams is essential.
• Ethical Judgment: Pharmacists often face tough decisions regarding medication use and patient confidentiality. Strong moral reasoning is a must.

Strategies for Effective Pharmacy Recruitment

Recruiting top pharmacy talent demands a proactive, nuanced approach. Here are five strategies organizations must implement to obtain top-tier candidates:

Tailored Job Descriptions

Generic job postings won’t attract the right candidates. Instead, use specific language reflecting the responsibilities, culture, necessary technological expertise, and advancement opportunities available. Highlight how the role supports clinical collaboration, patient care, or advanced research.

Leverage Specialized Recruitment Firms

Partnering with professional healthcare recruiters means accessing a curated talent pool, industry expertise, and proven screening methods. This accelerates recruitment processes and enables organizations to find candidates who align with their needs, values, and culture.

Invest in Employer Branding

Candidates seek a workplace that aligns with their values, offers professional development and competitive compensation, and fosters a better work-life balance. Communicate your organization’s mission, culture, and commitment to pharmacist wellbeing across all recruitment channels. Not only does this improve hiring, but it also increases retention.

Offer Competitive and Creative Benefits

Offer flexible scheduling, opportunities for continuing education, wellness programs, and clear career advancement paths to stand out in a competitive market.

Build a Talent Pipeline

Don’t wait until there’s a vacancy to start recruiting. Develop relationships with pharmacy schools, offer internships or residency programs, and maintain contact with past applicants to establish a steady stream of potential hires.

Find the Five-Star Talent You Need with Hire Health’s Personal Pharmacy Recruitment Solutions

The talent shortage, pharmacists' evolving roles, and high turnover have made it nearly impossible for organizations to find quality candidates. Hire Health brings calm to the recruitment chaos.

Our pharmacy recruitment solutions are tailored to your organization’s specific needs, corporate culture, and pain points. We work as a direct extension of your team to efficiently identify, engage, obtain, and retain multi-skilled pharmaceutical professionals with the necessary licensing and technological prowess.

With over 20 years of experience, Hire Health has successfully addressed top challenges in healthcare recruitment for organizations nationwide, including those in rural, underserved areas.

Reach out to us today to learn how our pharmacy recruiters can help you build and keep your dream team.