Temporary vs permanent pharmacist hiring guide
Pharmacies often face staffing challenges when trying to overcome workforce gaps. To overcome these challenges as a recruiter, you must compare the temporary vs permanent pharmacist hiring model. This comparison will help you make informed decisions and prevent you from exceeding recruiting costs. It will also help you maintain workforce flexibility and the quality of patient care.
Making the right decision is important to ensure your facility remains fully staffed and prepared to meet patient demand. This blog explains the key factors to consider when comparing temporary vs. full-time pharmacist hiring for your hospital.
Tip #1: Assess the urgency of your staffing needs
As a healthcare recruiter, before you hire a pharmacist, it is essential to decide on and choose a staffing model. Before you decide, you need to assess and understand the workforce requirements at your facility.
By evaluating, you will understand the level of urgency at your clinic, and it can help recruiters compare and decide between temporary vs. full-time Pharmacist hiring based on recruiting goals.
- If the shortage at your facility is caused by unplanned leave or seasonal demand, you can hire a temporary pharmacist to maintain daily operational quality.
- You can also choose full-time pharmacist staffing to maintain employee consistency and high-quality patient care at your pharmacy.
Understanding and evaluating these factors will help you choose the right approach for your facility.
Tip #2: Compare the cost impact of temporary vs permanent hiring
Once the evaluation is completed, as a recruiter, you must compare all staffing-related expenses before finalizing pharmacy recruiting models. In this process, you must compare salary costs, onboarding, credentialing, training, and overtime expenses.
For example, if your facility is facing seasonal patient growth, your existing team spends overtime due to workforce shortages. Then you must opt for temporary pharmacist staffing, as it may help to reduce stress and control salaries and other benefits, such as incentives or bonuses.
However, if you expect a professional to work with your clinic long-term, permanent pharmacist staffing is the best option. This talent acquisition model may allow you to hire pharmacists with skills that may fit your requirements. It also reduces repeated recruiting expenses.
If you choose a permanent method to hire, you must be prepared to offer higher compensation compared to a temporary employee. To provide an accurate market-trending salary, it is essential to understand current salary levels by state, as salary plays a key role in recruitment. You can refer to the infographic below to explore the highest-paying states in the USA, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data from May 2023.
Top 5 highest-paying states for Pharmacists in the U.S
State | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
California | $75.62 | $157,280 |
Alaska | $72.89 | $151,600 |
Oregon | $71.90 | $149,550 |
Washington | $71.42 | $148,550 |
Minnesota | $68.85 | $143,210 |
source: BLS
Tip #3: Consider the long-term impact on your pharmacy team
If you are a pharmacy owner, consider temporary vs. full-time pharmacist recruiting models. It is advisable to consider and make a decision that goes beyond your immediate talent acquisition needs.
The recruiting decision you take today can influence your team’s workload distribution and overall productivity at your pharmacy. So, as a recruiter, you must choose the right approach to help create a supportive work environment and reduce pressure and stress for existing pharmacy team members.
The long-term impact of each model on your team is explained below.
- You must understand that full-time pharmacist staffing helps build a stronger team culture by providing consistency and support.
- Temporary pharmacist staffing is known for offering short-term relief during high-demand periods, helping existing employees manage their workload more effectively
As a recruiter, you must consider the long-term impact on your pharmacy team and then make a decision that supports both operational goals and employee satisfaction.
Tip #4: Build a flexible recruiting strategy
Experienced recruiters must understand that workforce needs at a pharmacy can change unexpectedly, and proactive planning is essential to fix the workforce shortage effectively. If you are comparing temporary vs full-time pharmacist staffing options to fill open roles, having a recruiting plan in place can help you stay prepared for unexpected workforce changes.
A flexible strategy can help you:
- Respond quickly when recruiting needs change unexpectedly.
- Access candidates with the right skills when new requirements arise.
- Manage workforce changes without affecting patient care or placing extra pressure on your existing team.
Example: Imagine that one of your pharmacists takes a few weeks off during flu season. Instead of asking your current team to work extra hours, you can partner with a modern platform for pharmacist staffing solutions to quickly find a qualified pharmacist and keep your pharmacy running smoothly.
To get the best results from a recruiting platform, clearly define the skills and qualifications required for the role. A detailed infographic of key pharmacist skills is provided below to support your decisions.
Essential skills every pharmacist should master
How the right platform can help you overcome workforce gaps
Pharmacies that aim to hire temporary pharmacists or full-time professionals must evaluate the complete recruiting process. Mainly, the model to choose is based on the requirements. Knowing the key steps will definitely make your task stress-free.
As a recruiter, you must remember that knowing the tips will make your task half done. The rest depends on what platform to choose. Traditional agencies often come with challenges such as slow candidate turnaround times and limited transparency.
To overcome these obstacles, choosing platforms such as MedSquirrels will be a better option. This platform also offers affordable plans to make your recruiting costs effective.
By leveraging MedSquirrels, facilities can unlock benefits such as:
- Lower hiring costs with a flat-fee pharmacy staffing model and no agency markups.
- Faster recruitment through an end-to-end staffing workflow.
- Complete transparency and control over pay, credentials, and compliance
Pharmacies book a free demo to see how our platform supports your talent acquisition decisions. Healthcare professionals can browse open jobs and apply for those jobs that fit with their skills.
FAQs
How can staffing platforms improve pharmacist recruitment?
Modern platforms use AI technology to simplify recruitment by improving candidate access, credential tracking, and hiring speed. They also provide greater transparency and control than traditional agencies.
What is the difference between temporary and permanent pharmacist staffing?
Temporary pharmacist model helps pharmacies fill short-term workforce gaps caused by seasonal demand, employee leave, or unexpected shortages. Permanent pharmacist recruiting focuses on hiring long-term employees who can support consistency, team stability, and patient care.
What are the benefits of using temporary pharmacist staffing solutions?
Temporary pharmacist recruiting allows healthcare facilities to respond quickly to workforce shortages and changing patient demand. It also helps existing employees manage workloads more effectively during high-demand periods.
What are the advantages of using MedSquirrels over traditional staffing agencies?
Unlike traditional agencies, MedSquirrels offers greater transparency and a simplified recruiting workflow. It also helps reduce recruitment costs through a flat-fee model without agency markups.
Can pharmacies use MedSquirrels for full-time pharmacist staffing?
Yes, pharmacies can use MedSquirrels for full-time recruiting based on long-term workforce needs. The platform helps recruiters identify professionals with the right skills and qualifications for permanent roles.
