Pharmacist Career Guide

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Pharmacists are important component in the healthcare industry. They are experts in prescription medication and advise patients and medical practitioners on medication interactions, side effects, dosage and selection.

What do Pharmacists do?

what does a pharmacist doPharmacists are responsible for dispensing doctor prescribed medication and advising on the safe consumption of them. Their duties can range from filling prescriptions, to advising patients about safe consumption and side effects, to filling out insurance claim forms. If a pharmacist owns their own office, they can spend more time on administrative tasks, such as inventory management.

While most pharmacists work in retail stores, there are other specialties that have different work environments. Two specialists that are in this category are clinical and consultant pharmacists. Clinical pharmacists work directly with patients in hospitals of other healthcare settings. They focus on recommending medications for the patients, monitoring the patient’s health, and advising patents on when to take the medication. They do not, however, spend time dispending medication. Consultant pharmacists’ main duty is to advise insurance providers and healthcare facilities on how to increase efficiency in pharmacy services.

How to Become a Pharmacist

Becoming a pharmacist is a long journey but well worth the time. To begin the application process, potential pharmacists must have at least 2 to 3 years of undergraduate course work, some pharmacy schools require a bachelor’s degree, and take the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT). Once they’ve completed these requirements, they must apply and be accepted to a pharmacy school that is accredited by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education.

Pharmacists must complete a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D.) program to meet the requirements for licensure. Most schools have a four year timeline for Pharm. D. programs but some schools have a three year option. The future pharmacist will be supervised in different work environments, like hospitals or retail pharmacies, while taking classes such as medical ethics, pharmacology, and toxicology. If the pharmacist wants to specialize in one of the two areas or do research, they usually complete a one to two year residency once they’ve completed their Pharm. D.

Once they have completed their Pharm. D., prospective pharmacists must pass two state exams, one on pharmacy knowledge and skill, the other one on state-specific pharmacy laws.

Pharmacist Salary

pharmacist salary information

As of May 2011, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational and Employment Wages states the median hourly rate for pharmacists was $53.92 and $112,160 for the annual salary. This rate does not reflect the differences in years of experience, different specialties, or full- verses part-time work.

The top five paying states are Alaska ($125,330), Maine ($125,310), California ($122,800), Vermont ($122,490), and Alabama ($119,810). The top five paying industries are Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing ($125,480); Other General Merchandise Stores ($118,630); Management, Scientific and Technical Consulting Services ($118,490); Offices of Physicians ($117,750); and Outpatient Care Centers ($117,510).

Important Skills to have as a Pharmacist

There are four important skills for a pharmacist to have: analytical skills, communication skills, managerial skills, and being detail oriented. Pharmacists must have good analytical skills because they have to evaluate patients and prescriptions. These evaluations are to make sure that the medicine prescribed will not adversely interact with other medicine and that it will accurately meet the needs of the customer. Communication skills are required because pharmacists interact with people every day, from doctors, to patients, to other interns and pharmacy technicians. They must be able to effectively explain the medicine to patients, especially side effects and how and when to take them.

Pharmacists should have good managerial skills because they can be required to oversee employees, especially interns and pharmacy technicians. In addition, if they own their own pharmacy, they need to have administrative skills, like managing inventory and staff schedules.

Lastly, pharmacists rely on being detail oriented. Many medicines look similar or can have different effects in different quantities. They have to ensure that the prescriptions are filled accurately because serious health risks can arise with improper medicine procedures.

With the expected 25% increase in the amount of pharmacist jobs by 2020, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, being a pharmacist is a perfect career to help the population while having the benefits of job security.

How Much Do Pharmacists Make in The US?

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Competitive salaries and ideal growth possibilities are two significant reasons for various job openings in various medical related fields. Among an array of career possibilities within the healthcare market, pharmaceutical jobs have risen to become probably the most desired careers. As with every profession, salaries play a vital role in assisting candidates choose which career choice to choose.

The area of pharmacy has developed to become a very promising career when it comes to financial gains. Pharmacy specialist wages are very good amongst medical professions and with the aging of the population in the US as reported by the United States Bureau of Labor, it is now regarded as one of the quickest growing careers. To discover how much do Pharmacists make nowadays, a survey was sent to those currently working as Pharmacists to give an idea of the current average pharmacist salary.

how much do pharmacists make in 2011

What’s the Average Salary of a Pharmacist?

The typical earnings of a pharmacist relies upon various factors with rise in needs of pharmacy specialists in a variety of industries, the typical earnings of a pharmacist has additionally elevated. The pharmacist starting salary is usually at the very least US$ 70,000 but can change a lot depending on location and specialization. Unquestionably, a pharmacist career has developed to become a lucrative choice for applicants in medical school.

pharmacist salary compared to other professions

If you are wondering how much does a pharmacist make compared to other health professions, this chart should help clear things up!

The pharmaceutical companies prefer graduate and postgraduate degree holders in pharmacy related subjects and also the average earnings of a pharmacist is dependent around the educational qualifications from the aspirant. The pharmacist education needs are based on good understanding and understanding in pharmacy subjects. With better educational and academic background, candidates have better employment possibilities and therefore better generating potential. Graduation from the recognized college also favors likelihood of better generating as companies hire applicants from well-known institutions which are popular for his or her excellent educational training. To command better salaries, getting understanding of pharmacy jobs is important.

The typical earnings of a pharmacist having a experience around 1-4 years is between US$ 85,000 to US$ 115,000. It is possible to cross $100,000 within a couple of years from the career development path this area promises.

As the average earnings of a pharmacist relies upon educational qualifications and experience, it’s also importantly dependent of the work location. Metropolitan areas where living costs are greater, will definitely pay more for their employees as that may compliment the standards of just living in costly areas. While as a pharmacist in California could make around US$ 121,000, individuals employed in Pennsylvania can earn about US$ 108,000. Using the growth and business possibilities growing quickly, you will find various drugs companies online that hire skilled pharmacy specialists to take care of their drugs and medicines business. Since control over drugs online require good understanding of computer systems and internet, being tech savvy might help candidates.

The typical earnings of a pharmacy specialist that has labored for around ten years has got the chance to earn an income around US$ 95,000 to US$ 117,000 yearly. For individuals pharmacy technician who’ve been employed by some two decades the typical salaries can go up to US$ 14,0000. The typical earnings of a pharmacist as possible see is competitive and finest among various medical jobs. Students interested to operate within this profession has to start mobilizing their efforts at the start of their career to ensure that they are able to obtain a strong platform to achieve success further within their career. For more information on this career path or if you are interested in pharmacy wages outside of the US, make sure to consult the Wikipedia page on this subject!

Phamacist Job Description: What They Do

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What is a pharmacist? You are probably well aware that it’s a career that specializes in healthcare, but there is more to the pharmacist job description than that. This post is focused on a pharmacist’s job description and will help you know exactly what a pharmacist does and what responsibilities the position entails. For detailed information on their salary or education requirements you might want to head to their relevant posts.

Prescribing and Dispensing Drugs

A pharmacist is a professional health care provider whose job is to dispense drugs prescribed by doctors and physicians to their clients. This sounds easy but it’s not, for the pharmacist needs to be well-trained and educated to correctly measure drugs and differentiate the countless pills, capsules, syrups and solutions from each other. The majority of pharmacists work in retail drug stores or health care facilities such as hospitals. A fewer number work in medical laboratories for the creation of medicines, and this career often requires more training and education.

There is probably no one more knowledgeable in the different kinds of drugs and their uses, interactions, contraindications, side effects and available dosages than a pharmacist. It may surprise you to know that they often have more knowledge about the particular characteristics of each medicine than the doctor doing the prescribing, but that is because knowing every important factor about the different types of drugs are the pharmacist’s main focus of responsibility.

When visiting a drug store, the pharmacist is the right person to ask about any question regarding the medicines you are buying. This is why they need to be able to give details on what to expect for possible side effects, what drugs interact with each other and even give counsel on the best times of the day to take medicines. The pharmacist needs to know about the many symptoms of the illnesses that a particular drug will treat and help people with allergies avoid the wrong medication. In other words, a pharmacist should be able to supply the information that a doctor may have forgotten to provide and help clients get the best medicines available for them.

Pharmacists are a vital component of the health care system because they provide a direct and personalized communication with people who don’t need to get their medicines from a doctor or hospital. Many people end up using the same drug store and visiting the same pharmacist for many years and will eventually build a trusting relationship with them. The pharmacists will then be familiar with the health issues and concerns of their clients, and in fact this is considered part of their job description. Because they are also well-informed in other health areas, they can give advice on healthier lifestyle habits for diets, exercise and stress management and even give recommendations on which products to use. Some drug stores offer vaccination services and assistance in helping people get over smoking and drinking as well as health problems like asthma, diabetes, and high blood pressure, and a pharmacist needs to be well-trained in these areas.

There are some pharmacists who work in hospitals, and their job is to prepare and dispense medications that the doctors and physicians will then give to their patients. These types of pharmacists are often called on as medicinal advisers to provide training on the uses and side effects of the many drugs available. They may also be called on to counsel patients about to be discharged on the drugs that they will be taking. Sometimes they will also be required to prepare special sterile solutions that are administered intravenously.

Other more specialized pharmacist occupations

Once a pharmacist has received the necessary training, he or she may choose to specialize in certain areas of drug therapy uses such as oncology, geriatrics pharmacy, psychiatric drugs or nuclear pharmacy. Pharmacists can also decide to do research for pharmaceutical manufacturers or work for health insurance companies, public health services and even the armed forces.

Wherever drugs are researched, created, developed, dispensed, studied and taught, there is a need for pharmacists, and this need is steadily increasing as the medical and health industry continues to grow. If you are interested in becoming a pharmacist, the bureau of labor statistics currently projects a 25% increase in jobs for pharmacists from 2010 to 2020! Now is the right time to start studying in this field. The pharmacist salary is also quite substantial and the career opportunities are numerous. A pharmacist can decide to get more training and specialize in oncology, psychiatric drugs, geriatrics pharmacy or nuclear pharmacy. Pharmacists can also decide to do research for pharmaceutical manufacturers or work for health insurance companies, public health services and even the armed forces. A pharmacist can also decide to earn a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) and set up their own drug store.

You may find it just as helpful to personally talk to a few pharmacists in their work environment and know more about their daily responsibilities. This will help you make an informed decision. For a global perspective on being a pharmacist head over to wikipedia.

Pharmacy Technician Job Description

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The health care industry is a vast and growing one; especially the field concerned with the fast and correct dispensing of drugs. The number of professionals working within the field is growing as well, and this is why you there are similar-sounding jobs like pharmacist and pharmacy technician. So what is a pharmacy technician? Simply put, he or she is a licensed professional who works under the supervision of a pharmacist. Their job is to help the pharmacist dispense prescribed drugs to clients, among other duties such as counting tablets and labeling bottles to clerical tasks such as answering the phone and keeping the shelves fully and neatly stocked.

what does a pharmacy technician do?The primary duties of a pharmacy technician differ depending on the work environment and the number of employees. If there are pharmacy aides around, the pharmacy technician is usually spared from doing the clerical tasks. In other words, the pharmacy technician is the middle level between the pharmacist and pharmacy aide.

Most pharmacy technicians work in drugstores, and this environment is what their profession is best known for. Their work involves receiving prescription requests from clients, preparing the drugs given on the prescriptions, selecting and labeling the bottles, and pricing and filing the prescription for the correct clients. Drug prescriptions can be received from the clients or delivered from the doctor or hospital straight to the drug store, and the pharmacy technician needs to make sure that the prescriptions are valid

Because there are so many different types of drugs that come in many different types, uses, forms and dosages, you can say that the pharmacy technician job description consists of the huge responsibility of knowing all necessary medicinal information. Preparing drugs may involve counting pills, pouring liquid medications, weighing and measuring drugs and sometimes mixing them for specific preparations. Accuracy and precision is part of the job description and need to be exercised, not just when preparing medications but also with simpler tasks like correctly preparing bottle labels. An incorrectly spelled word or misplaced dot can spell disaster and the pharmacy technician needs to be careful  at all times, although all tasks done by the pharmacy technician will be double checked by the pharmacist in charge before being dispensed to the client.

The most important job of the pharmacy technician is preparing each drug prescription correctly, and many large-scale drugstores feature scores of pharmacy techs who do nothing else but this task. After separating the correct drug type, dose of the drug and number of pills, the pharmacy technician then prepares the label for the container and may add additional information to the label if necessary. Each container is then correctly priced and checked by the pharmacist before being picked up or delivered to the client.

The pharmacy technician job description also includes creating and updating the individual profiles of the clients, and it is critical that the data are accurate and kept up to date. If the client profiles are in good order, all the clients of the drugstore are well protected from any possible drug interactions. This is especially important, for it is not at all uncommon for clients to come with drug prescriptions that come from different doctors or physicians who are not in contact with each other. Patients may not also always remember what drugs they need to take or forget to inform their doctor or specialist of a drug allergy. The pharmacy technician can answer most of the client’s general questions about medicines, but more specific questions about drugs and queries about health care matters must be referred to the pharmacist. All new drugs requested by clients should also be checked by the pharmacist.

A few pharmacy technicians work in settings other than drugstores, such as hospitals and nursing homes. Their duties are quite similar, though, such as delivering medications, preparing sterile solutions for IVs and keeping the medicinal information of all the patients recorded and updated.

A pharmacy technician’s job is quite strenuous, and wherever you choose to work, you should be prepared to stand for long hours of the day and possibly work weekends and evenings too. You will also need to keep yourself informed on new drugs and their uses, side effects, interactions, and all other pertinent information.

For more information on the duties of a pharmacy technician, feel free to consult the two websites below which we have used as a reference in writing this post:

http://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-2052.00

http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292052.htm

Pharmacy Technician Salary In The United States

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The positions of pharmacist, pharmacy technician and pharmacy assistant or aide are quite similar in the sense that all three involve working in the field of healthcare, especially drugstores. The pharmacist is the head position and supervises the other two. The pharmacy technician has a job position lower than that of a pharmacist but higher than that of a pharmacy assistant or aide, and this means that the pharmacy tech has more job responsibilities and skills that need to be learned and mastered. This post is mostly about how much do pharmacy technicians make, what influences their salary in terms of industry and location and finally, job growth expectations.

Skills and Salary for Pharmacy Technicians

Pharmacy technicians undergo a lot of training, for they are responsible for correct drug dispensation. Accuracy and precision is needed to count pills quickly and correctly, label bottles clearly and completely, and keep the records of client profiles updated and neat. So how much do pharmacy technicians make? Although the exact figures differ from state to state, in general the salaries of pharmacy technicians in the United States are quite high, with 10 percent earning an estimated $19,800 a year; 25 percent earning $23,000 a year and seventy five percent earning $34,000 a year and more. The average pharmacy technician salary is estimated to be around $28,000 to $35,000.

Current pharmacy technician salary and growth opportunitiesFor pharmacy assistants, the estimated average salary is a little over $10.00 an hour; which can equal to $21,430 a year. However, the majority of pharmacy assistants nowadays earn over $25,000 a year. Like the pharmacy tech salary, the amount depends on the experience of the pharmacy assistant, the state of the medical industry and the location of the drugstore. The smaller figures are due to the fact that pharmacy assistants or pharmacy aides perform tasks that are mostly clerical. They are in charge of answering phones, keeping the pharmacy well-stocked and performing cash transactions.

The 5 Highest-Paying Industries For Pharmacy Technicians!

Knowing the average pharmacy technician pay isn’t enough, for you also need to know the top five highest paying industries for this occupation. Number one is the Federal Executive Branch, paying as much as $40,000 yearly. Academic institutions like universities give around $36,850 for a year, scientific and technical consulting service jobs pay an average of $38,680 a year, company and enterprise management pays $36,560 and pharmacy specialties pay $36,000 a year.

For pharmacy assistants, colleges and universities are known for giving the highest salaries, offering about $36,000 a year. State governments pay $32,940 for each year of service, while those working in substance abuse facilities and psychiatric hospitals can earn about $32,600. Public or general hospitals offer $29,990 and private or specialty hospitals pay pharmacy assistants around $27,990 per year.

Employment Projections for Pharmacy Technicians in the USA

The number of pharmacy technicians in the USA alone is expected to climb from 326,000 technicians in 2008 to 426,000 by the year 2018. This is an increase of over 99,000 individual pharmacy technicians or a rise of 31 percent, so those considering this career path right now are in the perfect place in time to benefit the most. This growth gives a positive effect on the question of how much do pharmacy technicians make, for it means that the industry can well support salary growth. Job prospects for pharmacy technicians are looking good, especially for those who are not just certified and trained but also well-experienced, which will entitle them to secure jobs with a higher salary. All these job openings will come as more hospitals and other medical institutions like drugstores are created to accommodate the health needs of the growing US population.

On the other hand, projections for the number of pharmacy assistants are expected to decline, although this depends from state to state. There were 54,900 pharmacy assistants in the US for 2008, but it is expected that there will be a decrease of 3,500 or 6 percent of workers in this occupation by the year 2018. Even with this decline, the employment prospects for the pharmacy assistant job are rated as good by the U.S. Department of Labor, for  there will be available positions as elderly pharmacy assistants retire.

If you are interested in becoming a pharmacy technician, you should look into passing the PTCB certification, which will include a full background check and passing an exam. For more information please consult http://www.ptcb.org.

Length & Education Requirements for Becoming A Pharmacist

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A pharmacist is one of the most secure jobs around, for inventions and innovations in science and medicine will never cease to appear year after year. The more medical and health professionals there are, the better, and this is why becoming a pharmacist will offer you not just job security but a rewarding career too. As the US population grows, so will the demand for well-trained pharmacists, and what’s more, the average pharmacist’s salary will grow right along with the population, offering great financial satisfaction too.

This article will help you learn all about how to become a pharmacist and help you find out how much time it takes to master the job, the educational requirements needed and even some suggestions to help you get the best training and become the best pharmacist you can be.

Let’s first tackle the question of “how long does it take to become a pharmacist?” There really is no straight answer to this, for the length of time depends on what educational achievements you have and what else you still need to go through. There is the Pharm.D course that lasts for 4 years, and this course is currently being used and has replaced the Bachelor of Pharmacy Degree program. It needs to be accredited by the ACPE. But in order to qualify for the Pharm.D course, you need to have had at least 2 years of formal studies with subjects in mathematics, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences like chemistry, biology, and physics. The formal studies will furnish you with all the knowledge necessary for the Pharm.D course. Considering this, the earliest you can graduate will be by the time you are 24 years old. On coreynahman.com’s pharmacy page you can see some of the main courses you should be focusing on since High School if you became interested in this profession at a young age.

Pharmacist education requirements and length of study can definitely vary dependent on what you decide. Some people decide to take a program that features 3 years of related studies in order to better prepare for the 2 year formal studies and the Pharm.D course. The 3 years of related studies are taken at a college or university, but these are not considered mandatory to take the Pharm.D program, unlike the 2 years of formal studies.

After completing the 2 years of formal studies and passing the Pharm.D course, you may decide to enter a 1- or 2-year residency program or fellowship, but like the 3 years of related studies, it will help further your education but is optional and not considered necessary to become a pharmacist.

If you decide to take up both the requirements and options for becoming a pharmacist, it will set you back a good ten to twelve years, and this is why the pharmacist education requirements are considered lengthy. However, this length of time is necessary, for a pharmacist needs time, training and practice to become truly professional. Pharmacists have an important part to play in the medical field, for they carry the huge responsibility of correctly dispensing medications for the countless health problems that exist. It is absolutely crucial for the pharmacist to be armed and updated with all the knowledge necessary before beginning practice.

For the least amount of time required to become a pharmacist, it would be the 6 years that will consist of the 2 year formal studies and the 4 year Pharm.D course. This amount of time will make you eligible for the profession and should be considered a serious commitment.

The 4 year Pharm.D course is the most important part of the pharmacist’s education, and it will focus on the many different aspects of drug therapy and will enable you to learn from and work with licensed pharmacists in various environments. Aside from medicinal subjects, the course will also teach professional ethics, business management and public health concepts to help you communicate well with clients and fellow healthcare providers like doctors and nurses. For the best educational training, choose a Pharm.D program offered by a college or university that has been approved by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. After graduating, you will then be required to take up and pass the North American Pharmacist License Exam (NAPLEX). Once you pass the NAPLEX, you may want to take up a 1- or 2-year residency program, and this will qualify you for a pharmaceutical career in a specialized clinical setting, such as a research laboratory which will of course help you earn a higher pharmacist salary.

Becoming a pharmacist doesn’t just take time but also commitment and hard work, but in the end it will be well worth it, for a pharmacist’s job is very rewarding in terms of job satisfaction, career opportunities and financial security. If you are wondering about the job description/the actual work involved in being a pharmacist, make sure to read our post on what is a pharmacist. If you would rather get on the job market faster, check out our pharmacy technician’s job description post for a similar career in the health field.

Quick Intro To Pharmacists

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UPDATE: This post has been divided into more lengthy pieces of content. Refer to the posts below depending on what you are most interested in:

Specific Pharmacist salary information in 2011

Length and education requirements to become a pharmacist

The paycheck of the pharmacist is determined by working experience, industry and physical location. Additionally, there are lots of specialties through which some pharmacists are trained that could ultimately impact how much do pharmacists make per year. By all accounts, employment opportunities on this profession are wonderful for all expertise. And although many pharmacists work in the whole week.

pharmacist salary informationThe United States Department of Labor Occupational Employment Statistics reports that somewhere around 268,000 pharmacists have been employed in the United States Of America by May 2010. General merchandise stores and also ambulatory health services each one compensate pharmacy technicians somewhere around $112,000 per annum. The standard salary can be an average of $52.59 per hour or more and consequently a mean annual wage of $111,000. Ten percent earned $82,000 each year, 25 percent acquired $88,000 per annum. Seventy five percent of the pharmacists earned $125,000 yearly and 90 % received $138,000.

Psychological health as well as drug abuse companies compensate a yearly mean paycheck of $122,380 for pharmacists. Drugstore specialists in management, scientific or perhaps technical services obtain around $121,000. Physicians’ offices pay back pharmacy technicians, typically, $113,450.