News Brief: Pharmacists want flexible workplaces, survey says

News Brief: Pharmacists want flexible workplaces, survey says

Pharmacy directors are offering flexible scheduling and providing incentives to work non-preferred shifts to combat the continuing shortage of pharmacists in hospitals and health systems, according to a recent survey conducted by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) in Bethesda, MD.

Hospitals that provide benefits such as offering flexible scheduling, job-adequate references and electronic information sources, and collaborative relationships with other health professionals reported a statistically lower pharmacist vacancy rate. "The results provide pharmacy directors with a blueprint for designing a workplace environment that can help attract and retain pharmacists," says Douglas J. Scheckelhoff, MS, FASHP, director of ASHP practice management and leadership division.

Pharmacy directors at 548 hospitals and health systems throughout the United States answered questions about vacancy levels, available positions, and the supply of qualified pharmacists. The survey also gauged whether hospital and health-system settings had an impact on ability to recruit pharmacists. Forty-four percent of the respondents reported that vacancies exist at their institutions, down from 50% in 2000. The overall vacancy rate was 6.9%.

For more information about the survey, go to www.ashp.org.