Improving staff engagement and development using pharmacy professional advancement career tract program

Abstract

BackgroundTo describe the benefits of an employee engagement and development program and provide an outline on how it may be adapted by other health system pharmacies. Practice innovationThe pharmacy Professional Advancement Career Tract (PACT) program has been active for over 10 years. A concept borrowed from nursing; it has become the primary employee engagement program within the pharmacy department. The program attracts self-motivated staff to participate in activities that benefit departmental operations and enhance the participant’s project management and professional skills. This has provided an opportunity for staff to demonstrate their abilities and potential for future growth. The resources needed to initiate and maintain the program are program liaisons at the site level, mentorship time, and moderate bonus payments. A vast majority of the projects were completed (including cost savings initiatives) and the beneficial outcomes gained from those outweighed the minimal cost. ConclusionDevelopment and implementation of the pharmacy PACT program was a success for both staff and the pharmacy department. This program may benefit other pharmacy departments across the nation.