Which Pharmacy Career Path is the Best Option Right Now?

Here at Quad Recruitment, we recently ran a poll of pharmacy professionals asking: Which pharmacy career path do you believe is the best option currently? Respondents had four choices:

Locum Work

Permanent Positions

Depends on the Pay/Workload

Too Early to Tell

The results are in, and the majority of pharmacy professionals voted in favour of Permanent Positions as the best career option at this time. But what does this mean for pharmacists, and how does it reflect the current state of the industry?

The Rise in Demand for Permanent Pharmacy Positions

The demand for permanent positions within the pharmacy industry is quite a shift from what we’ve previously experienced as a Recruitment agency in previous years. Pharmacists seeking locum work held the highest percentage and those seeking permanent positions took the smallest percentage.

Permanent positions provide stability, consistent income, and opportunities for career progression, which are all important considerations for pharmacists working in a fluctuating job market. With changes in health care policies, evolving pharmacy responsibilities, and increasing patient demand, a permanent position provides a structured and stable career trajectory.

Advantages of a Permanent Pharmacy Role

Stability – Unlike locum work, permanent positions offer security, income stability, benefits and long-term career development.

Career Progression – Permanent positions are popular with pharmacists because they generally provide a pathway for progression, training, and specialisation.

Work Life Balance – Locums allow for flexibility, but perm roles have more predictable hours, where a solid schedule can be built around your life.

Employee Benefits – Permanent roles tend to offer pension schemes, holiday pay and other employment benefits that make them more attractive for anyone looking for long-term security.

Is Working Locum Still a Viable Option?

Permanent jobs topped the poll and rightfully so, but locum work is still an effective and attractive option for many. This is why some pharmacists choose locuming; they enjoy the flexibility and higher daily rates and working in different environments. However, the sporadic nature of shifts and lack of long-term perks may prevent some from opting into this as a permanent career.

What About Pay and Workload?

A substantial number of the respondents said that their choices are contingent on pay and workload. This shines a light on the fact that salary expectations and work-life balance factors are incredibly meaningful to career choices. With wages varying and workload expectations changing, a lot of pharmacists are considering their options before making a decision on which direction to pursue.

The Uncertainty Factor

If you chose “Too Early to Tell,” you can certainly see that the pharmacy job market is still in flux. Given the continued evolution of pharmacy regulations, technology, and demand for pharmacy services, others are taking a wait-and-see approach before making long-term career plans.

What This Means for Pharmacy Employers

The findings thus serve as a reminder to pharmacy owners and hiring managers regarding the need to provide competitive salaries, career growth paths, and work-life balance for attracting and retaining talent.

The world of pharmacy is ever changing, and decisions on our careers come down to things like job security, salary, workload, as well as expectations of what we can look forward to in the industry in the coming years. However, for those valuing flexibility and independence, locum work continues to be a highly viable alternative even though permanent placements are now top being the preferred choice.

Whether seeking a permanent or locum placement, Quad Recruitment is here to assist you in finding your next pharmacy role. We focus on matching pharmacy professionals to positions that enhance their skills, fit their lifestyle and satisfy their career goals.

Call Quad Recruitment today to discuss what you’re looking for in your career and we’ll find it for you- for free. 

Contact Number: 01244 621477

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View our live Pharmacy jobs: here