Q: Why is there a shortage of pharmacy technicians?
A: The shortage of pharmacy technicians is driven by a powerful combination of high demand and significant workforce challenges. An aging population needing more medications and expanded pharmacy services has created more jobs, while stressful working conditions, burnout, and perceived low entry-level wages have made it difficult to retain workers, creating a significant gap.
Q: What factors are increasing the demand for technicians?
A:
- Aging Population: Older adults use significantly more prescription medications, increasing overall prescription volume in all settings.
- Expanded Clinical Services: As pharmacists administer more vaccines, provide health screenings, and manage chronic diseases, they rely more on technicians to handle the traditional dispensing workflow.
- Growth of Specialty Pharmacy: Managing complex, high-cost medications for conditions like cancer or rheumatoid arthritis requires specialized technician support.
- Retail Prescription Volume: Continued high demand at community pharmacies, including major chains, grocery stores, and mass merchandisers.
Q: What are the key reasons for turnover and difficulty retaining staff?
A:
- Workplace Stress and Burnout: Technicians, especially in high-volume retail settings, often face understaffing, high workload, difficult customer interactions, and pressure to meet corporate metrics, leading to exhaustion.
- Perception of Low Starting Wages: While specialized and hospital techs can earn well, entry-level wages in retail can be low relative to the responsibility and stress, pushing candidates to other entry-level healthcare jobs.
- Lack of Career Advancement Visibility: Some technicians do not see a clear or rewarding long-term career path without pursuing further education to become a pharmacist.
- Competition from Other Sectors: The strong job market allows workers to leave for less stressful roles in other fields with similar pay.
Q: What is being done to address the shortage?
A: Employers and the industry are implementing several strategies:
- Wage Increases and Signing Bonuses: Many chains and hospitals are raising starting wages and offering bonuses to attract candidates.
- Enhanced Training and Tuition Support: Offering paid training programs and financial assistance for certification to lower the barrier to entry.
- Workflow Improvements and Technology: Investing in automation (like pill-counting machines) and software to reduce repetitive tasks and ease workload.
- Creating Career Ladders: Developing clear pathways for advancement into specialized, higher-paying roles (e.g., lead tech, trainer, inventory specialist, informatics) to improve retention.
Q: What does this mean for someone considering this career?
A: The shortage creates a job-seeker's market with strong opportunities. To maximize prospects:
- Get Certified: Obtaining the CPhT credential immediately makes you more competitive and often leads to higher pay.
- Target Specialized Settings: Look for roles in hospitals, mail-order, or specialty pharmacies, which often offer better working conditions and pay than standard retail.
- Negotiate: In many markets, you may have leverage to negotiate starting pay or benefits.
For resources on entering in-demand healthcare support fields with clear certification pathways, you can explore certilyst.com.