Pharmacist
A pharmacist is a healthcare professional trained to manage and dispense medications safely and effectively. They play a critical role in advising patients and healthcare providers about proper medication use, potential side effects, and interactions between drugs. Pharmacists often work in retail drugstores, hospitals, or for pharmaceutical companies, and may also provide vaccinations. Their expertise includes knowledge of pharmacology, toxicology, and pharmaceutical chemistry, which they apply to ensure patients receive the correct medications for their health needs.
To become a pharmacist, individuals must earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree, requiring several years of undergraduate and specialized education. Pharmacists typically work in clean, well-lit environments and engage in patient interactions that necessitate strong communication skills and empathy. They may also supervise pharmacy technicians and are well-versed in pharmacy law and regulations. The profession is essential in promoting health and managing medications, making pharmacists integral to healthcare teams.
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Subject Terms
Pharmacist
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Health Science
Interests: Pharmacology, toxicology, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacy administration, chemistry, patient care
Earnings (Yearly Median): $136,030 per year $65.40 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 3% (As fast as average)
Entry-Level Education Doctoral or professional degree
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job Training None
Overview
Sphere of Work. Pharmacists are skilled healthcare professionals responsible for the accurate and safe distribution of prescription drugs. They advise patients, physicians, and other health practitioners on selecting the right medicines and dosages, and help them to avoid harmful drug interactions. Pharmacists understand medication side effects and make recommendations to customers about how to cope with them if they arise. Many customers also rely on pharmacists to answer questions about new medications or for practical advice on how to handle everyday health problems that do not require prescription medication. Pharmacists may also work for pharmaceutical companies, helping develop or market new medications. Some pharmacists may also administer vaccinations.
Work Environment. Pharmacists generally work in retail drugstores or in healthcare facilities such as hospitals. In both places, they advise patients about diet, exercise, and stress management as it relates to durable medical products or home health care supplies. Providing home healthcare is another option in the field of pharmacy. Pharmacists may also work for mail order pharmacies or online telehealth companies.
Occupation Interest. Individuals interested in becoming pharmacists usually want to help people stay healthy or return to health by recommending or dispensing the right medication and by answering questions about medications and health conditions. Helping customers is the first priority for pharmacists, and they maintain a keen interest in drugs, drug therapy, and how drugs work. The specialized technical knowledge of pharmacists is an important resource for understanding the role of medications and how they work to help patients. Many pharmacists run their own businesses and/or manage a staff of pharmacy technicians.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. During a typical work day, pharmacists assist physicians with the selection, dosages, interactions, and side effects of medications. They monitor patient health and progress as it pertains to drug therapy, and they answer questions about prescription and over-the-counter drugs to help patients manage conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma. Frequently they coordinate with physicians via telephone or computer about a particular patient’s needs.
Although physicians prescribe a patient’s medications, pharmacists often possess more comprehensive information about other medications a patient is taking for existing and past conditions. Pharmacists specialize in the study of medications and are sometimes able to offer more in-depth information to the patient about his or her prescriptions. In addition, pharmacists must be well-versed in pharmacy law and the many government regulations surrounding the dispensing of medications.
Those pharmacists who own or manage drug stores may supervise personnel and are adept at business, customer relations, and office management. Pharmacy technicians may assist the pharmacist with many of the more routine, basic aspects of the job, freeing the pharmacist to concentrate on more complicated tasks.
Radiopharmacists (074.161-014). Radiopharmacists prepare and dispense radioactive pharmaceuticals used for patient diagnosis and therapy, applying principles and practices of pharmacy and radiochemistry. They verify that the specified radioactive substance prescribed by a physician will give the desired results in examination and treatment procedures.
Pharmacy Services Directors (074.167-010). Pharmacy Services Directors direct and coordinate the activities and functions of a hospital pharmacy, and plan and implement procedures in the pharmacy according to hospital policy and legal requirements. They also direct pharmacy personnel programs, such as hiring, training, and intern programs.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Pharmacists usually wear white lab coats that identify them to customers, work in clean, well-lighted, and well-ventilated areas, and spend most of their workday hours standing. They work forty hours a week or more; sometimes hours may be extended to include nights and holidays. Some pharmacists travel to healthcare locations to monitor patients’ drug therapies.
Human Environment. Pharmacists work with other pharmacists, physicians, and patients, and need to be good listeners and communicators to help people. Pharmacists must possess patience and empathy.
Technological Environment. Pharmacists work in clean environments where potentially dangerous pharmaceutical products are kept and dispensed, and must wear gloves when manipulating some types of drugs, treatments, and medicines. They also use computers and the Internet for electronic transmission of prescriptions, research, communication, and for other tasks.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. To be admitted to a four-year pharmacy degree program at a college or university, high school students must have completed at least two years of study in math, chemistry, biology, physics, humanities, and social sciences. High school students must have interest in the sciences and maintain good grades to prepare for postsecondary education.
Postsecondary. Pharmacists must earn a doctor of pharmacy degree (PharmD). Admission to a pharmacy program requires at least two years of prior undergraduate coursework. Doctor of pharmacy degree programs usually last four years and must be accredited by the Accreditation Council Pharmacy of Education (ACPE). Doctor of pharmacy coursework usually includes pharmaceutical chemistry, toxicology, pharmacology, ethics, pharmacy administration, and best practices for communicating with patients about health issues and medications. This may be followed by one or more years of postgraduate residency, similar to what medical students undertake. Pharmacists are licensed professionals.
Related Occupations
− Chemist
Bibliography
"Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023 29-1051 Pharmacists." US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291051.htm. Accessed 23 Aug. 2024.
"Pharmacists." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 6 Sept. 2023, www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacists.htm. Accessed 28 Sept. 2023.