California Pharmacy Staffing Trends 2024
In response to concerns about inadequate staffing and dangerous workloads that could compromise patient safety, pharmacy employees at select CVS and Walgreens locations in California staged a walkout. The California Board of Pharmacy and the California Pharmacists Association have advocated for ensuring pharmacists have adequate time and resources to fulfill their responsibilities, which include dispensing medications, patient education, managing drug therapy efficacy, administering immunizations, and more.
Findings from a California Board of Pharmacy workforce survey highlighted significant discrepancies between staffing perceptions in chain versus independent pharmacies, with a notable majority from chain pharmacies reporting insufficient staffing and time for patient care and consultations. This has prompted legislative action, leading to Assembly Bill 1286, also known as the "Stop Dangerous Pharmacies Act," (https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/california-passes-first-in-nation-law-to-reduce-medication-errors-address-pharmacy-staffing-concerns) which introduces several reforms. These include giving pharmacists-in-charge the authority to make staffing decisions, requiring immediate notification of unsafe conditions, setting minimum staffing levels, expanding pharmacy technicians' scope of practice, and establishing procedures for reporting medication errors.
This law, effective from January 1, 2024, mandates comprehensive changes aimed at enhancing pharmacy operations, patient safety, and workforce conditions. It emphasizes non-discretionary task delegation, sufficient breaks for pharmacy staff, and continuous quality improvement programs to mitigate the pressures faced by pharmacy employees.
For detailed guidelines and further support, pharmacy professionals can consult the following local pharmacy associations in California:
https://www.ocpha.org/
https://www.cshp.org/members/group_select.asp?type=19658
https://www.ipacalifornia.com/
These resources offer updates on regulations, professional development opportunities, and additional tools to support pharmacists in adapting to new legislative requirements and maintaining high standards of patient care.
About Healthcare Consultants Pharmacy Staffing
If you are a pharmacy owner or manager, HCC Pharmacy Staffing can find you the best qualified talent (both pharmacists and technicians) available to meet your needs in almost every situation. With over three decades of experience in pharmacy staffing, HCC is known nationally for being able to match the right candidate to the right job, and for well over three decades now, HCC has been providing temporary staffing for pharmacies in all 50 states, as well as providing relief pharmacy staffing during emergency situations. We work with owners, HR departments, and pharmacy managers of every type and size of pharmacy business and operation, from the small independent retail community pharmacies to the large national pharmacy groups. We are therefore able to meet almost every individual pharmacy's specific needs when it comes to finding the right staffing talent, including specialty pharmacies. If you're interested in finding out how HCC can help your pharmacy business meet your specific staffing needs, then call us today at (800) 642-1652, or simply fill out our easy-to-use online form now, and an experienced, in-house HCC staffing expert will get back to you as soon as possible.
The same is true if you are a pharmacist or pharmacy technician who's interested in changing your current job position and exploring new professional opportunities and settings to practice in. With current job openings and exciting opportunities available throughout the US, HCC Pharmacy Staffing can help you to find the best possible jobs available to match your specific individual lifestyle needs and work requirements. Whatever market segment that a pharmacist or tech is looking to work in, we can help! If you are a pharmacist looking to switch jobs or relocate, we urge you to talk with us. With positions immediately available, contact us today online or call us at 800-642-1652 now to get started.