1. Federal Civilian Pharmacists Survey October 7, 2004 Presented By PharmPAC Civilian Pharmacists Subcommittee

2. Survey Purpose: To assess the needs of Civil Service Pharmacists in IHS, NIH & FDA Purpose: To assess the needs of Civil Service Pharmacists in IHS, NIH & FDA The number of pharmacists surveyed: 187 pharmacists from 14 states The number of pharmacists surveyed: 187 pharmacists from 14 states Survey Tool: SurveyMonkey.com Survey Tool: SurveyMonkey.com Response Rate: 63 % ( 2 reminders) Response Rate: 63 % ( 2 reminders) Date completed: June 25, 2004 Date completed: June 25, 2004

3. Civilian Subcommittee Members Renan Bonnel (FDA) Renan Bonnel (FDA) Jennie Chang (FDA) Jennie Chang (FDA) Min Chen (FDA) Min Chen (FDA) Beverly Conner (FDA) Beverly Conner (FDA) Scharla Estep (NIH) Scharla Estep (NIH) Jae Kim (NIH) Jae Kim (NIH) Hyon Kwon (FDA) Hyon Kwon (FDA) Cindy Kortepeter (FDA) Cindy Kortepeter (FDA) Bob Porter (I H S) Bob Porter (I H S) Martin Pollock (FDA) Martin Pollock (FDA) Joyce Weaver (FDA) Joyce Weaver (FDA) Jessie Weintraub (NIH) Jessie Weintraub (NIH)

4. Which HHS agency do you work for? Which HHS agency do you work for?

5. How long have you been practicing as a federal civilian pharmacist? How long have you been practicing as a federal civilian pharmacist?

6. Which degree(s) do you hold?

7. Does your current organization provide you with opportunities for professional growth/development?

8. How often do you attend a national professional meeting?

9. If answered “rarely” or “never”, please cite your reasons for not attending a professional meeting Budgetary reasons (18) Budgetary reasons (18) Scheduling conflicts/workload (13) Scheduling conflicts/workload (13) No opportunity/support (7) No opportunity/support (7) Opportunity is given to others (3) Opportunity is given to others (3) Lack of interest (2) Lack of interest (2)

10. Consideration of joining Commissioned Corps within the next few years

11. Reasons for joining Commissioned Corps Benefits: sign-on bonus, retirement, higher salary (7) Benefits: sign-on bonus, retirement, higher salary (7) Job growth and mobility (6) Job growth and mobility (6) Impact on public health (1) Impact on public health (1)

12. Is salary package comparable with pharmacists in other setting (esp. private sector)?

13. Are you in a position with promotion potential?

14. Are civilian pharmacists valued and respected healthcare professionals in the federal sector?

15. The level of satisfaction with current position

16. Top three cited factors that would increase job satisfaction Adequate compensation, award, special pay Adequate compensation, award, special pay Opportunities, promotion potential Opportunities, promotion potential Recognition, respect Recognition, respect

17. Advantages & Disadvantages working as a federal civilian pharmacist vs. working in the private sector Advantages (98 responses): Advantages (98 responses): Flexible schedule/good working hours (33) Flexible schedule/good working hours (33) Professional satisfaction (26) Professional satisfaction (26) Job security (24) Job security (24) Benefits (20) Benefits (20) Disadvantages (84 responses): Disadvantages (84 responses): Lower salary (44) Lower salary (44) Bureaucracy, no advancement, poor benefits, workload (4 responses each) Bureaucracy, no advancement, poor benefits, workload (4 responses each)

18. Have you visited the PharmPAC website before?

19. Would you want to participate in PharmPAC activities/committees?

20. Which section of PharmPAC would you participate?

21. Recommendations & comments received for services/activities Pay parity Pay parity There is a national shortage of RPh and yet specialty/retention pay for civilian pharmacists in the federal government does not exist. There is a national shortage of RPh and yet specialty/retention pay for civilian pharmacists in the federal government does not exist. Reduction of pay discrepancy between two groups (federal vs. private sector). Reduction of pay discrepancy between two groups (federal vs. private sector). Assistance from PharmPAC with pay parity/retention pay for civilians that are currently enjoyed by physicians and Comm. Corp pharmacists. Assistance from PharmPAC with pay parity/retention pay for civilians that are currently enjoyed by physicians and Comm. Corp pharmacists. Special pay for pharmacist in federal agencies to make it more comparable to the current market in order to attract more top talent RPh for both sides. Special pay for pharmacist in federal agencies to make it more comparable to the current market in order to attract more top talent RPh for both sides.

22. Recommendations & comments received for services/activities (cont’d) Recruitment Recruitment Update the classification system from the standards set in 1968 ( GS- 12, 13 levels for non-supervisory positions) Update the classification system from the standards set in 1968 ( GS- 12, 13 levels for non-supervisory positions) Career development/administration Career development/administration Develop career ladder for civilians based on individual merits Develop career ladder for civilians based on individual merits Communicate career opportunities to all pharmacists in the government Communicate career opportunities to all pharmacists in the government Need for an objective evaluation and promotion system for civilians Need for an objective evaluation and promotion system for civilians

23. Action Items Seek guidance from PharmPAC on issues of salary, promotion and educational opportunities Seek guidance from PharmPAC on issues of salary, promotion and educational opportunities Recruit civilian pharmacists representatives into four sections of PharmPAC Recruit civilian pharmacists representatives into four sections of PharmPAC Have civilian pharmacist representation in national meetings along with the Commission Corps pharmacists Have civilian pharmacist representation in national meetings along with the Commission Corps pharmacists

24. Action Items (cont’d) Examine Title 42 Examine Title 42 Streamline GS scale across HHS agency according to pharmacist’s role Streamline GS scale across HHS agency according to pharmacist’s role Seek advice on future needs of civilian federal pharmacists from an independent consultant group Seek advice on future needs of civilian federal pharmacists from an independent consultant group