Pharmacist Career
Pharmacists often work in a hospital or store setting filling prescriptions for their patients. They must have a solid grasp of how medications work, including; possible side-effects, dosage, and use. They will advise patients on the medications they take.
Most full-time pharmacists work at least 40 hours per week and spend much of that time on their feet. Many are expected to work some evenings and weekends in order to be available to staff pharmacies.
Pharmacy Career Snapshot
Most pharmacists work in hospitals, drug stores, grocery stores or department stores. Some may also find themselves working with pharmaceutical manufacturers, government agencies, colleges, or health insurance companies.
Here is more information relating to a career as a pharmacist (statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Onet Online):
is the average earnings for pharmacists per year.
increase in employment between 2014 and 2024.
have a professional degree, 37% have a Doctoral degree.
Pharmacist Education
Pharmacists must complete a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an accredited school. Upon graduation, pharmacists must complete an internship and pass the NAPLEX which is essentially a State examination. In many states, candidates will also need to pass the MPJE which covers pharmacy law.
Pharmacist Job Duties
Pharmacists fill prescriptions for medication. They also educate patients on the use and possible side-effects of medication. Pharmacists are responsible for maintaining confidential records on their patients’ medications.
Pharmacist Salary
Pharmacists average between $86,790 and $154,040 per year according to the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey program.
Pharmacist Job Outlook
According to the BLS.gov, pharmacy careers are expected to increase by 3% between 2014 and 2024 which is slower than the average occupation. The increase is mostly due to the fact that there are more pharmacy schools which have created more new graduates.
Pharmacy Career
Discover the typical work activities expected of pharmacists as well as the tools they use.
| Pharmacy Technician Skill Set: | Required Abilities: | Tools Used by Pharmacy Technicians: | Typical Work Activities: |
| • Reading Comprehension • Active Listening • Critical Thinking • Instructing | • Label Machines • Laminar Hoods • Pestles • Scientific Software | • Label Machines • Laminar Hoods • Pestles • Scientific Software | • Updating Knowledge • Getting Information • Computer Use • Processing Information |
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