Your independent community pharmacy is competing against retail chains, big-box store pharmacies, and other independents to hire talented pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and non-pharmacy employees.
It may seem like retailers and larger pharmacies with recognizable brand names and bigger budgets have a competitive advantage. But that’s not necessarily what potential hires are looking for.
Small businesses have an upper hand in different—and appealing—ways. Here are 10 ways independent community pharmacies have the hiring advantage.
1. A more flexible schedule
One unique benefit smaller businesses can offer employees is a more relaxed, flexible schedule. Your pharmacy has the ability to adjust hours or responsibilities to an employee’s particular needs and skill set.
Independent community pharmacies also offer the distinct advantage of reliable work hours and a predictable schedule. For employees with a family, this can be a great benefit. Retail chains may offer services 24-hours per day, which is convenient for patients, but difficult for employees.
2. Variety of daily activities
Larger businesses often require employees to work a specific, narrowly defined role. Independent community pharmacies offer more variety and the opportunity to perform tasks based on skill.
If a tech is particularly good at compounding, she’ll actually be able to perform that skill at your pharmacy. National chain and big box store pharmacies likely don’t even offer this service.
Being responsible for a wide range of duties can make a job more appealing and fulfilling. It provides employees with constant change, makes daily duties less boring, and gives them the opportunity to learn new skills.
3. Customer interaction
Every company has its own culture, and your pharmacy’s patient-centered attitude is appealing and enjoyable. Plus, a pleasant workplace culture can lead to greater job satisfaction.
Independent community pharmacies offer a culture founded on personal interaction and great customer service. These core values stand out to potential hires who enjoy interacting with patients and not just being on an assembly line.
4. Family-like culture
Independent community pharmacies not only know their patients better, they also offer a family-like culture for their employees. (Because many are family-owned pharmacies.)
Employees at larger retail chains and big box store pharmacies likely don’t know everyone they work with. Your pharmacy offers the advantage of a more close-knit work environment.
Employees who feel appreciated and get along with their coworkers may find their jobs more fulfilling and stay at their jobs longer.
5. Be your own boss
An advantage of choosing to start your own independent community pharmacy is that you have the ability to work for yourself. You are able to make decisions, wear many hats and directly help your patients.
For a recent pharmacy school graduate, the possibility of holding a management position in an independent community pharmacy may offer greater advantages than that of a retail pharmacy.
6. Ability to make a difference
Making a difference in patients’ lives is why many pharmacists and pharmacy techs went into the field.
Employees of an independent community pharmacy have more opportunities to directly affect a patient’s well-being. One day they’re doing a flu shot clinic at a local business and the next they’re giving a talk about diabetes at the senior center.
National chain pharmacies and big box store pharmacies may not offer opportunities for employees to share their knowledge and positively influence community health. This is a big hiring advantage your pharmacy has to offer employees.
7. Community reputation
Independent community pharmacies are often at the heart of a local community.
Employees get to interact not only with patients, but also with physicians, students, reporters, and any number of other community members.
Feeling like a part of a community may be a big draw for potential hires to come to an independent community pharmacy over a larger retailer.
8. Less bureaucracy
Independent community pharmacies don’t have a lot of red tape for employees to wade through.
Employees at your pharmacy are better able to voice any concerns and get their ideas heard. If they have a new idea for a service, they can just bring the idea to you instead of going through a corporate office miles away.
Opportunities for idea sharing and innovation are a great benefit your pharmacy has to offer.
9. Focusing on a niche
Another advantage independent community pharmacies can provide is the opportunity for employees to focus on a specific area of expertise.
Pharmacists could learn to do diabetic shoe fittings or become the expert on respiratory devices, which is a great selling point for your pharmacy to individuals interested in a specific condition.
10. Career advancement
Independent community pharmacies offer opportunities for promotion and career advancement that big retail pharmacies might not provide.
Promising pharmacists may have the ability to move into a partnership with owners in the future, help open and manage a second location, or take on larger managerial roles.
They can also learn different skills at an independent community pharmacy, such as how to run a business and leadership skills that they wouldn’t learn at mass retailers.
Understanding the hiring advantages your pharmacy has to offer will make it easier for you to market your pharmacy to potential new hires.
A Member-Owned Company Serving Independent Pharmacies
PBA Health is dedicated to helping independent pharmacies reach their full potential on the buy-side of their business. Founded and owned by pharmacists, PBA Health serves independent pharmacies with group purchasing services, wholesaler contract negotiations, proprietary purchasing tools, and more.
An HDA member, PBA Health operates its own NABP-accredited secondary wholesaler with more than 6,000 SKUs, including brands, generics, narcotics CII-CV, cold-storage products, and over-the-counter (OTC) products — offering the lowest prices in the secondary market.
