APhA Platform Aims to Tackle Pharmacy Workforce Shortage
The American Pharmacists Association announced the launch of its transformative HealthShifts platform in collaboration with the California Pharmacists Association and powered by Locumate.
The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) announced Thursday that it will be launching a new platform called HealthShifts designed to provide pharmacy professionals with innovative staffing tools and job board services that span the entire country.
“HealthShifts represents a significant step forward in APhA’s commitment to supporting pharmacists and advancing the profession,” said Executive Vice President and CEO of APhA Michael Hogue in a news release.1 “This initiative showcases the leadership of the APhA Board and our dedication to investing in innovative solutions that address workforce needs while empowering pharmacists to excel in their careers.”
APhA teamed up with CPhA and Locumate to bring HealthShifts to the organization's 62,000-plus members. | image credit: maxsim / stock.adobe.com
The new platform is powered by Locumate, a workforce management solutions company for health care professionals. APhA has also teamed up with the California Pharmacists Association (CPhA) to bring HealthShifts to the 62,000-plus members within APhA’s network.
HealthShifts was designed to both tackle an issue within pharmacy as well as introduce opportunities for pharmacists and pharmacy professionals to grow and develop their skills. By offering innovative staffing solutions and a more robust job network than those that previously existed, the program will alleviate workforce shortage issues within the pharmacy profession.
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Aside from addressing critical challenges within pharmacy, HealthShifts is also aiming to provide opportunities for pharmacists to grow in their profession and develop skills that allow them to stand out as providers within health care overall. Between pharmacists sharing new pharmacy solutions and a job board that expands the scope of pharmacy within the US, HealthShifts is meant to make it easier for pharmacists to succeed within their profession and find meaningful job opportunities.
“The leadership and vision of APhA and CPhA have been instrumental in bringing HealthShifts to life,” said HealthShifts CEO Rajan Vaidya. “Their steadfast commitment to the profession and to addressing workforce challenges have made this initiative possible. We’re proud to start in California and look forward to expanding our services to meet the needs of pharmacy professionals and employers nationwide.”
The role of CPhA is a key component in launching HealthShifts, as staffing services will first appear throughout California. The program’s regional rollout is intended to support pharmacies with dynamic shift coverage while also connecting pharmacy professionals in the state with flexible work opportunities.1
However, regarding the HealthShifts benefits pharmacists can take advantage of right now, the program’s job board is live and available for pharmacy professionals across the country. Accessible via the web or on a mobile app, pharmacies can now use HealthShifts to improve access to quality talent while pharmacy professionals can create a more flexible work-life balance for themselves.
“At the core of HealthShifts is the belief that when pharmacists have the freedom to choose their work environment, they are better equipped to provide high-quality patient care,” according to the HealthShifts website.2 “By giving pharmacists control over their schedules, the platform addresses one of the profession’s most pressing issues: burnout. HealthShifts recognizes that a well-rested and motivated pharmacist is essential for patient safety and optimal health outcomes.”
With the APhA-backed platform intended to eventually reach all states and pharmacy employees in the country, it’s yet another resource available for pharmacists to grow the profession and the work they do within it. This partnership between APhA, CPhA, and Locumate is just another example of how technology and health care can come together to benefit the population.
“Locumate’s cutting-edge technology underpins the HealthShifts platform, offering a seamless user experience and robust features that support the unique needs of both pharmacy professionals and employers,” concluded the APhA news release.1
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