PharmaPlus Operates a chain of 30 pharmacies. The Pharmacies are staffed by licensed pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. The company currently employs 85 full time equivalent pharmacists(combination of full-time and part-time) and 175 full-time equivalent technicians. Each spring management reviews current staffing levels and makes hiring plans for the year. A recent forecast of the priscriptions load for the next year shows that at least 250 full time equivalent employees(pharmacists and technicians) will be required to staff the pharmacies. The personal departments expects 10 pharmacists and 30 technicians to leave over the next year. To accomodate the expected attrition and prepare for future growth, management stated that atleast 15 new pharmacists must be hired. In addition, pharma plus new service quality guidelines specify no more than two technicians per licensed pharmacists. The average salary for licensed pharmacists is $ 40 per hour and the average salary for technicians is $10 per hour. 1) Determine a minimum cost staffing plan for Pharma plus. How many pharmacists and technicians are needed? 2) Given current staffing levels and expected attrition, how many new hires(if any) must be made to reach the level recommended in part (a)?
PharmaPlus Operates a chain of 30 pharmacies. The Pharmacies are staffed by licensed pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. The company currently employs 85 full time equivalent pharmacists(combination of full-time and part-time) and 175 full-time equivalent technicians. Each spring management reviews current staffing levels and makes hiring plans for the year. A recent forecast of the priscriptions load for the next year shows that at least 250 full time equivalent employees(pharmacists and technicians) will be required to staff the pharmacies. The personal departments expects 10 pharmacists and 30 technicians to leave over the next year. To accomodate the expected attrition and prepare for future growth, management stated that atleast 15 new pharmacists must be hired. In addition, pharma plus new service quality guidelines specify no more than two technicians per licensed pharmacists. The average salary for licensed pharmacists is $ 40 per hour and the average salary for technicians is $10 per hour. 1) Determine a minimum cost staffing plan for Pharma plus. How many pharmacists and technicians are needed? 2) Given current staffing levels and expected attrition, how many new hires(if any) must be made to reach the level recommended in part (a)?