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Hy-Vee seeks 1,000 more pharmacy techs as COVID-19 vaccines near

Pharmacists facing increased demand for care amid pandemic’s second wave

Russell Redman

December 4, 2020

3 Min Read
Hy-Vee Pharmacy Store-Iowa City.jpg
Last month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services named Hy-Vee as a national COVID-19 vaccine provider, once the immunizations receive FDA approval and are ready for distribution.Hy-Vee

Midwestern food and drug chain Hy-Vee plans to hire 1,000 pharmacy technicians across its market area as it works to expand coronavirus testing and prepare for the distribution of COVID-19 vaccinations.

West Des Moines, Iowa-based Hy-Vee said Friday it aims to add both full- and part-time licensed pharmacy techs at its 270-plus pharmacies to bolster support for its pharmacists. The company noted that a resurgence in the incidence of COVID-19 in the United States — now with nearly 14.3 million confirmed cases and almost 278,000 deaths from the virus — is hiking the demands on health care professionals nationwide, including pharmacy staff. 

“Right now, there is a critical need for trained pharmacy technicians who can help support our pharmacies and patients as we prepare for the next step in battling this virus,” according to Aaron Wiese, executive vice president of business innovation and chief health officer at Hy-Vee. “For technicians, this is a great opportunity for them to practice at the top of their license and work for a company that offers amazing benefits, competitive wages, flexible scheduling and job advancement opportunities.”  

Hy-Vee said that, on Nov. 12, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) named the company as a national COVID-19 vaccine provider, once the immunizations are approved by the Food and Drug Administration and become available to the health care system. The retailer said its pharmacists and pharmacy techs are trained to administer vaccines and will provide patients access to COVID-19 vaccinations in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin.   

Related:HHS enlists food and drug chains to boost COVID-19 vaccine access

Demand remains high for Hy-Vee’s free COVID-19 drive-thru testing, offered in tandem with partner eTrueNorth, the retailer said. Hy-Vee launched coronavirus testing on a limited basis in August and then expanded coverage to over 150 locations in October. The rollout of test sites has continued, and Hy-Vee now offers the service at more than 180 locations. 

Recently added COVID-19 test sites include Hy-Vee supermarket, drugstore, HealthMarket and clinic pharmacies in Ames, Bloomfield, Cedar Rapids (three locations), Fairfield, Iowa City, Marshalltown, Mason City, Ottumwa, Waterloo, Waukee and West Des Moines, Iowa; St. Charles and Stewartville, Minn.; and Maryville, Mo.

HHS is looking to pharmacy staff, among other health professionals, to help broaden access to countermeasures against COVID-19, including vaccines. Yesterday, the department amended the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP Act) to expand scope of health care providers who could administer COVID-19 and other vaccines by modifying and clarifying required training for pharmacists, pharmacy interns and pharmacy technicians. The move was applauded by the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS).

Related:Hy-Vee adds more drive-up COVID-19 test sites

“NACDS had urged HHS to resolve inconsistencies between federal and state training requirements — inconsistencies that could stand in the way of patients’ access to vaccinations. This includes safe and effective COVID-19 vaccinations when they are available,” NACDS President and CEO Steve Anderson said in a statement. “On behalf of national and regional pharmacies that have worked hard to ensure preparedness to serve patients at this critical time — and the trained and professional pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy interns on the front lines — we appreciate HHS’ responsiveness in continuing to address policy barriers that could hamper the full response to the pandemic.”

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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