There are a variety of pharmacy careers available in a variety of settings, all of which require varying levels of education and experience. In some cases, a student’s choices may be based on the amount of education he or she wishes to obtain in pharmacy. In other cases, when considering various pharmacy careers, benefits and the setting will be factors to consider.
Though most people associate pharmacy jobs with working at a local drug or grocery store, pharmacists are needed in a variety of settings and perform a variety of tasks. A hospital pharmacist will dispense medications to individual patients, usually making them available to nurses, and will almost certainly never see the patient. Nonetheless, it is the pharmacist’s responsibility to ensure that any medications being taken are compatible with one another and that the prescribed dosages are correct.
One of the pharmacy careers that deals directly with the public on a daily basis is that of a retail pharmacist. Customers can either bring in their own prescriptions or have them called in by a doctor. The order will then be filled by a pharmacist or a technician working under the pharmacist’s supervision. The pharmacist will take the customer’s order and then provide any necessary consultations. Typically, pharmacists will explain when and under what circumstances it is appropriate to take the medication, as well as any potential side effects.
In addition to dispensing medications, some pharmacy careers serve as advisors. A clinical pharmacist is an example of this. This person may be in charge of filling prescriptions and giving patients advice, but there’s more to it. The pharmacist will also collaborate closely with doctors, providing advice on a variety of pharmaceutical issues, such as drug interactions and side effects. This can be done in a group setting such as a classroom or a meeting, or it can be done one-on-one.
The research pharmacist is a different type of pharmacist. In general, this pharmacist is in charge of developing new drugs, improving existing ones, and investigating drug problems. A pharmacist like this could work for a pharmaceutical company, the government, or be supported by grants for self-directed research. This type of pharmacist will require a stronger scientific background than other types of pharmacists.
A PharmD degree, also known as a Doctor of Pharmacy, is required for each of these pharmacy careers. This degree qualifies a person for any of these jobs, though some may be highly competitive, with those with experience being given preference. It is common for all of these pharmacy careers to offer unusually high starting salaries, regardless of specialization. Because of the long hours and intensity of the work, retail pharmacist positions pay slightly more than hospital positions.
Another pharmacy career path to consider is that of a pharmacy technician. This person is frequently the one who is in charge of filling prescriptions. The pharmacist will oversee the work and consult with the patient, as well as ensure that all regulatory requirements are met and, in some cases, that the prescription is valid. Although many states do not require formal training, a pharmacy technician program can usually be completed in six months or less.