Pharmacist
Matthew Jones
Description of a Pharmacist
A pharmacist serves patients by preparing medications, giving pharmacological information to multidisciplinary health care team, monitoring patient drug therapies, and is directly responsible for the distribution and care of patients.
Job Duties
- Prepares medications by reviewing and interpreting physician orders; detecting therapeutic incompatibilities.
- Dispenses medications by compounding, packaging, and labeling pharmaceuticals.
- Controls medications by monitoring drug therapies; advising interventions.
- Completes pharmacy operational requirements by organizing and directing technicians' work flow; verifying their preparation and labeling of pharmaceuticals; verifying order entries, charges, and inspections.
- Provides pharmacological information by answering questions and requests of health care professionals; counseling patients on drug therapies.
- Protects patients and technicians by adhering to infection-control protocols.
- Maintains safe and clean working environment by complying with procedures, rules, and regulations.
- Etc.
Education Requirements and Pathways
- A doctoral or professional degree in Pharmacy is required.
- Can spend anywhere from six to thirteen years in education.
- Fill pre-requisite classes such as Anatomy and Physiology, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, etc.
- Must also pass certain national exams after earning Doctorate.
Considered College Options
- Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy at High Point University
- University of Chapel Hill
- Wingate University School of Pharmacy.
Fred Wilson School of Pharmacy
University of Chapel Hill
Wingate University of Pharmacy
Potential Salaries in NC, FL, and CA
- NC: $88,000 to $136,000 per year
- FL: $86,000 to $132,000 per year
- CA: $92,000 to $142,000 per year
Growth and Job Need
Labor statistics are projecting employment of pharmacists is growing approximately 14 percent from 2012 to 2022, about as fast as the average for all occupations. There are several factors expected to contribute to this increase, including an aging U.S. population and higher rates of chronic diseases that require medication. In addition, as federal health insurance reform legislation continues to change the landscape, more people will have prescription coverage. As a result, more pharmacists will be needed to fill prescriptions and consult with patients.
Job Availability
There is always a need for workers in the medical field and pharmacy is no exception. It is very likely a pharmacist out of college will be able to find a job, especially with the numerous openings that already exist.
Introduction To The Pharmacy Profession