Pharmacist Career Overview Quiz

Pharmacist Career Overview

• Pharmacists counsel patients, plan drug therapies, and have direct patient contact in clinical and retail settings.
• Earnings are generally high, but some night, weekend, and holiday work is common.
• Accredited pharmacy college graduation and licensing exams are required.

Pharmacist Duties (Retail/Community Settings)

• Counsel patients on prescription drugs (side effects, interactions).
• Provide information and recommendations for over-the-counter medications.
• Advise on durable medical equipment and home healthcare supplies.
• Coordinate with insurance companies to ensure cost coverage.
• May sell non-healthcare merchandise, manage staff, and oversee pharmacy operations.
• May conduct patient care activities (immunizations, simple tests, therapy management).
• Conduct medication reviews, administer flu shots, and assess patient health.
• Manage conditions like diabetes, asthma, smoking cessation, and high blood pressure.

Pharmacist Duties (Hospital/Clinic Settings)

• Dispense medications and advise medical staff on drug selection/side effects.
• Prepare sterile solutions, purchase supplies, teach students.
• Perform administrative tasks, educate patients, monitor drug regimens, and evaluate drug use.
• Consult with the medical team on drug therapy and patient care; some make hospital rounds with physicians.
• Monitor drug therapy and prepare home medications/infusions for home healthcare.

Pharmacist Roles in Federal/State Government

• Pharmacists work in staff/supervisory positions within the U.S. Public Health Service, Veterans Administration, FDA, and armed forces.
• Some positions are commissioned officer roles; others are civil service.
• State and federal boards regulate pharmacy practice and employ pharmacists as executive officers and inspectors.
• Pharmacists are involved in large-scale medical and pharmaceutical supply purchases.
• Active pharmaceutical associations in most states employ full-time executive officers.
• Pharmacists work in various specialized fields (advertising, packaging, technical writing, legal).

Pharmacist Specialization & Knowledge Areas

• Side effects: Pharmacists provide expertise on drug complexities and potential side effects.
• Compounding: While less common, pharmacists understand drug composition, use, and effects.
• Medication profiles: Use computerized records to avoid drug interactions and monitor patient compliance.
• Pharmacotherapists: Specialize in drug therapy, frequently working closely with physicians.
• Nutrition Support Pharmacists: Aid in determining and preparing nutritional drugs; potentially in oncology/psychiatric settings.
• Radiopharmacists/Nuclear Pharmacists: Prepare and dispense radioactive drugs for diagnosis/therapy.
• Pharmaceutical Industry Pharmacists: Work in sales, research & development, marketing of pharmaceutical companies.
• Their insight into patient use is valuable for developing new drugs, ensuring safety/quality.

Pharmacist Work Environment

• Clean, well-lit laboratories with shelves of drug products.
• Refrigerated and locked storage for narcotics, depressants, stimulants.
• Standing/walking is prevalent in a typical workday.
• Potential night, weekend, and holiday work (especially in retail/hospital settings).
• Consultant pharmacists may travel to other facilities.

Employment and Advancement

• Pharmacists held ~321,700 jobs in 2019, prevalent in retail (42%), hospitals (26%).
• Median annual wage (May 2020): $128,710.
• Employment growth is expected to be mixed
• Employment is expected to decline overall in 2029
• Potential for supervisor/manager positions in chains, administrative positions in hospitals and advanced roles in the industry.

Educational and Licensing Requirements

• Required to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) from an accredited college.
• Complete licensing examinations (NAPLEX and MPJE, plus state-specific exams).
• PharmD programs usually take four years.

Job Trends

• Pharmacists (employment) is expected to decline by 3% between 2019 and 2029
• The growth of mail-order and online prescriptions and some patient care tasks being delegated to pharmacy technicians has decreased the need for pharmacists in retail settings.
• Conversely, hospitals are increasing their pharmacist staff and seeking pharmacists to perform patient care tasks.
• Demand for pharmacists is rising due to an aging population, assisted living facilities, home care needs, and chronic disease.

Additional Factors & Qualifications

• Scientific aptitude, interpersonal skills, meticulous attention to detail, and a desire to help others are valuable traits.
• Pharmacist graduates may pursue certifications (diabetes educator, various specialties) requiring work experience and exams.