Increased Job Demand For Pharmacists Due To COVID-19

The real possibility of a shortage of pharmacists nationally, fueled by the increased demand for pharmacists due to the COVID-19 pandemic was a topic that we discussed on our blog posts all the way back in March of 2020 and then again in early April. Now with the publicly accepted recognition that the pharmacy profession received nationally as "frontline essential workers" during the current COVID pandemic, plus newly proposed expansions of a pharmacist's responsibilities and job duties, the current demand for pharmacists is almost staggering.

Why is there an Increased Demand for Pharmacists?

• The role of the pharmacist as an integral member of our national "Healthcare Team" has been expanding rapidly fo some time now. As an example is the expanded role of the pharmacist that was demonstrated yesterday in the State of California. Pharmacists in the State of California now have the legal authority to order and administer COVID-19 tests throughout California in an attempt to meet Governor Newsome's objective of testing at least sixty-thousand residents of the populous state daily. Known for easily being the most accessible healthcare providers in California, the state's 48,000 practicing pharmacists (who in California must possess a Doctor of Pharmacy or PharmD degree) are in a unique position to reach thousands of Californians who are just "emerging" after having been sheltering in place for weeks. Going to the local community retail pharmacy for a coronavirus test administered by a highly trained health professional such as a Doctor of Pharmacy is by far the easiest and safest solution available for Governor Newsome to meet the 60,000 residents tested daily goal that he has set in his populous state.
• There is a tremendous increase in the number of potential "telehealth" jobs and online positions that will require a Registered Pharmacist to operate or function properly and legally. Looking at the massive transition that's currently taking place in the US regarding online education and distance learning as an example, and one can easily see the same opportunities of increased safety and reduced economics applying to many areas in the practice of pharmacy. Some examples that quickly come to mind are in practice areas such as patient counseling, continuing education and staff training.
• The long awaited entrance of Amazon into selling prescriptions and other pharmaceuticals online is expected to finally take place this year. Many pharmacists will be recruited by Amazon as a part of their anticipated national hiring spree that's projected to require as many as one-hundred thousand pharmacy workers and employees for the new pharmacy division's operation at the online retail giant.
• Additionally, according to Cole Market Research, the demand for online shopping by consumers has increased exponentially since the onset of the COVID pandemic. Consumers are now viewing the use of major online retailers as the preferred method of shopping and believe that purchasing prescriptions online to be both secure and reliable since the onset of sheltering from the coronavirus pandemic started.

These are just several of many reasons that this increasing demand for pharmacists is taking place throughout the nation. All have contributed to the increased demand, especially for retail pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Here are a couple of key facts to support the actual presence of the increased demand, regardless of the causes:- Back in the middle of March this year, CVS stated that it would immediately fill over fifty-thousand full and part-time positions in its stores nationwide.- Walgreens also released publicly that they would fill almost ten-thousand existing full-time, part-time, and temporary positions in their stores throughout USA. They even began by offering a signup bonus of $300 for all new full-time workers and $150 for new part-time workers at the end of April.These "hiring sprees" are a  reversal of the trend seen over this past year in retail pharmacy. That trend was for many of the major drugstore chains closing stores and cutting back on their pharmacy staff.

About Healthcare Consultants Pharmacy Staffing

If you are a pharmacy requiring temporary or permanent staffing help, HCC Pharmacy Staffing can help you! We have a professional staff who can find you the right pharmacist or technician* to match your needs, whether it be in a retail, hospital or a specialty pharmacy setting (*Technician staffing limited to Florida only). We work with businesses of every size – from the corner drug store to national corporations and organizations – with only one goal in mind: to improve your pharmacy’s business operations. We can assist with expert advice in any area of your pharmacy business or practice.Also keep in mind that, while specializing in pharmacy jobs, staffing and placement services for over 31+ years now, HCC can help you with all of your pharmacy needs. HCC is recognized as a nationally leading Pharmacy Consulting Firm and a sample of some of our additional services include:– Equipment needs assessment-  Policy & Procedure Manual review, recommendations and customization– Medicaid/3rd party review– Moving a pharmacy to a new location– Out of state licensing– Exit strategies– Audit, surveys & mock inspections– Expanding, redesigning and overhauling your pharmacy– Compliance review for compounding pharmacies (USP 795 & 797)We urge you to contact us today to see how our Pharmacy Staffing services and Pharmacy Consulting services can help you improve your business now, plus be ready for the future. With a full-time staff of in-house Pharmacy Consultant specialists, HCC can answer any questions that you may have in all pharmacy settings. Contact us online now or call us today at 800-642-1652 for a free consultation.