Pharmacist
Pharmacist Career Overview
Pharmacists distribute drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners. They also provide information to patients about medications and their use. Therefore, as a pharmacist, you must understand the use, clinical effects, and composition of drugs, including their chemical, biological, and physical properties.
In order to practice pharmacy (and call yourself a pharmacist), you must be licensed. To obtain a license, you have to graduate from a college of pharmacy that is recognized by the ACPE, the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. Various pharmacy programs are available throughout the country, granting you a Doctor of Pharmacy upon completion of at least 6 years of post-secondary study and the passing of the state board examination.
In community pharmacies, upon becoming licensed, pharmacists usually begin at the staff level. In independent pharmacies, after they gain experience and secure the necessary capital, some become owners or part owners of pharmacies.
However, increasingly pharmacists are pursuing nontraditional pharmacy work. Some are involved in research for pharmaceutical manufacturers, developing new drugs and therapies and testing their effects on people. Others work in marketing or sales, providing expertise to clients on a drug's use, effectiveness, and possible side effects. Some pharmacists work for health insurance companies, developing pharmacy benefits packages and carrying out cost-benefit analysis on certain drugs.
Pharmacist Training & Education
A license to practice pharmacy is required in all states and to obtain a license, the prospective pharmacist must graduate from a college of pharmacy that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and pass an examination.
Pharmacy programs grant the degree of Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), which requires at least 6 years of postsecondary study and the passing of a State board of pharmacy's licensure examination. Courses offered at colleges of pharmacy are designed to teach students about all aspects of drug therapy. In addition, schools teach students how to communicate with patients and other health care providers about drug information and patient care.
The Pharm.D. is a four-year program that requires at least two years of college study prior to admittance, although most applicants have completed three years. Entry requirements usually include courses in mathematics and natural sciences, such as chemistry, biology, and physics, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.
Pharmacist Career & Salary Outlook
Because of the increasing demand for pharmaceuticals, particularly from the growing elderly population, employment of pharmacists is expected to grow faster than the average for all other occupations through the year 2014. The increasing numbers of middle-aged and elderly people--who use more prescription drugs than younger people--will continue to spur demand for pharmacists in all employment settings.
Enrollment in pharmacy programs is rising as more students are attracted by high salaries and good job prospects. The average yearly salary of a pharmacist is $84,900. The middle 50% of pharmacists earn between $75,720 and $94,850. Despite this increase in enrollment, job openings will continue to be more numerous than those seeking employment.
Career Fields/Specializations
Pharmacist Career
In their traditional role, pharmacists typically take requests for medicine from a prescribing healthcare provider in the form of a medical prescription, and then dispense that medication to the patient and counsel them on the proper use and adverse effects of that medication.
Pharmacists act as a learned intermediary between patients and their healthcare providers to ensure that proper medical therapy is chosen and implemented in the best way possible. In this role, pharmacists ensure the safe and effective use of medications.
Prospective pharmacists should have strong scientific aptitude, good communication skills, and a desire to help others. You also must be conscientious and pay close attention to detail, because the decisions you make will affect human lives.
As a pharmacist, you will have the opportunity to rise to managerial levels. Sometimes pharmacists even own the pharmacy in which they practice.
Pharmacy Aide Career
Pharmacy aides help licensed pharmacists with the administrative duties involved in running a pharmacy. Aides often serve as clerks or cashiers who answer telephones, handle money, stock shelves, and perform other clerical duties.
Most pharmacy aides receive informal, on-the-job training, but employers favor those who have at least a high school diploma.
Successful pharmacy aides are organized, dedicated, friendly, and responsible. They should be willing and able to take directions.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills are needed because pharmacy aides interact daily with patients, coworkers, and healthcare professionals.
Teamwork is also very important because aides are often required to work with technicians and pharmacists.
Pharmacy Tech Career
Pharmacy technicians help licensed pharmacists provide medication and other health care products to patients. Technicians usually perform routine tasks to help prepare prescribed medication for patients, such as counting tablets and labeling bottles.
Although most pharmacy technicians receive informal, on-the-job training, employers favor those who have completed formal training and certification. However, there are currently no federal requirements for formal training or certification of pharmacy technicians.
Successful pharmacy technicians are alert, observant, organized, dedicated, and responsible.
As a pharmacy tech, you must be precise; details are sometimes a matter of life and death. Although a pharmacist must check and approve all of their work, pharmacy techs should be able to work independently without constant instruction.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills are needed because pharmacy technicians interact daily with patients, coworkers, and healthcare professionals. Being able to work within a team is also very important because technicians are required to work with pharmacists, aides, and other technicians.
Retail Pharmacist Career
Retail pharmacy is the most common and visible career option for pharmacists. Chain pharmacies are becoming more widespread. This makes it difficult for those seeking to open independent pharmacies, but those willing to work for chain stores will have endless opportunities in terms of job location.
The main duties of a retail pharmacist are to make sure patients receive their prescription medications; to ensure those medications are safe for the patient; and to educate the patient in the proper use of those medications.
The retail pharmacist serves as the central source of information about drugs to the community. Therefore, strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential.
It is also important to pay great attention to detail, since the decisions of a retail pharmacist can affect the health of customers.
Geriatric Pharmacist Career
As the baby boomer population ages, pharmacists who hold a Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy (CGP) will be sought after for their unique qualifications and expertise.
In addition to the knowledge of general pharmacy practices, a geriatric pharmacist will need to have an understanding of geriatrics.
Like in all pharmacy areas, interpersonal and communication skills are important since the geriatric pharmacist will be dealing directly with patients, in addition to co-workers and healthcare professionals.
