Known for centuries as chemists, pharmacists have become as important and personalized as the family physician for many people. Every aspect of pharmacy has certainly evolved over the last one hundred years. Becoming a pharmacist has also changed; it is an easy career to get on track and is also a great career opportunity.
A person might wonder just exactly what it is that a pharmacist does or how to begin earning a pharmacist degree? The answers are easy to find. Finding a school that offers pharmacy courses is the first thing you need to do. Being confident the courses interest you on a basic level.
A pharmacist has many duties. Dispensing drugs that physicians prescribe to patients is the obvious job of any pharmacist. Pharmacists educate consumers about medications. Sometimes a pharmacist will also advise a physician as to drug interactions and effects. As a pharmacist your customers become like loyal followers trusting your knowledge and awareness. Pharmacists maintain medical records and medications in order to be certain a patient is not mixing drugs that are not suitable to mix.
Pharmacist can also manage or even own a pharmacy and that includes taking on responsibilities such as hiring and firing personnel. There are times when a pharmacist will also have to supervise employees when in an ownership or managerial position.
A pharmacist's duties vary greatly and encompass aspects of pharmacy and medicine that one would not traditionally think about initially.
Pharmacists are trained to be involved in drug therapies. These therapies can include such specialty fields as oncology and intravenous nutrition support. So if you are looking for an exciting career choice that holds many rewarding challenges, earns you great money, and takes very little training, then pharmacy is the field for you.
The training you will need in order to be considered a pharmacist begins with your graduation as a Doctor of Pharmacy or PharmD from any accredited higher learning institution. You will also need to serve a predetermined amount of time under a licensed pharmacist in order to be considered a pharmacist your self.
In an overview of what a pharmacist is responsible for it may at first seem a daunting undertaking. In the long run though the benefits far outweigh any trepidation you may first experience. Traditionally pharmacists work in community pharmacies. Some pharmacists, close to one-quarter of all licensed pharmacists, are employed in local hospitals or clinics. Mail order or wholesale pharmaceutical needs employ the smallest portion of pharmacists.
Typically a pharmacist works a forty-hour week. Depending on whether a pharmacist is self-employed or employed in a managerial position the hours worked can be as much as fifty hours a week. As with any medical field-type position there is a shortage of pharmacists so there may be cases where the workload and hours worked will exceed what is typical.
Salaries for pharmacists vary due to elements such as geographical location, the amount of experience you have under your belt, and the level of education you have completed. It would be typical that pharmacists as an overall career choice earn a salary of close to eighty thousand dollars yearly.
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About the Author
Scott Knutson is an entrepreneur and writer. For more of his articles visit: Pharmacy Technician | Pharmacy Schools | Pharmacy Tech
Showing posts with label pharmacist. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pharmacist. Show all posts
January 28, 2008
A Career as a Pharmacist
Author: Nihit Aurora
If you are looking for a rewarding career in the pharmaceutical industry, you might want to think about becoming a pharmacist. Pharmacists dispense drugs that doctors prescribe for patients. Additionally, they advise patients on dosages and side effects. Pharmacists also monitor the health and progress of patients to ensure that patients use prescribed drugs safely and benefit from them. Currently, most pharmaceutical companies manufacture drugs in standard dosages, reducing the need for compounding drugs in the pharmacy.
Overview
Many pharmacists choose to work in retail and community settings, while others prefer to work in-house for health clinics or medical institutions.
Pharmacists who work for healthcare facilities often choose to obtain training in specialty fields like intravenous nutrition support, geriatric pharmacy, oncology, or nuclear pharmacy. Many pharmacists also prepare and administer intravenous drugs to patients, especially those suffering from cancer and other advanced diseases. Additionally, pharmacists are responsible for keeping accurate records of drugs administered to patients. Many senior pharmacists work as faculty members at academic institutions, where they teach, conduct research, and prepare students for graduation and licensure.
Many pharmacists find work with pharmaceutical companies, where they can become involved in research and development. Other pharmacists work in marketing and sales, promoting their companies' products to doctors, hospitals, and allied health professionals. Other employers include government bodies and public healthcare services.
Employment Opportunities
In the United States, a significant number of pharmacists work part time. Most full-time pharmacists work 40 hours per week with occasional overtime. However, many self-employed pharmacists put in more than 50 hours per week. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were about 230,000 pharmacy jobs in the U.S. in 2004. Around 24% of salaried pharmacists work in hospitals, while others work for retail and community pharmacies, clinics, healthcare agencies, or the federal government.
Salaries
Pharmacy is a relatively high-paying professional field. In May 2004, the median earnings of pharmacists were between $75,700 and around $95,000 per year. Pharmacists working for department stores earned the highest salaries, followed by those employed by grocery stores, health and personal care boutiques, hospitals, and other general outlets.
Qualifications and Licensure
In the United States, all pharmacists need to have licenses to practice. Prospective pharmacists are also required to possess degrees accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX). Furthermore, 43 states, including the District of Columbia, require candidates to pass the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE). Additionally, candidates licensed in one state may need to pass a reexamination in another state. It is always advisable to check the examination requirements of other states before applying for a licensing examination.
Summary
Pharmacists should be practical and methodical and should have scientific aptitude. They should also have a strong desire to help others. Aspiring pharmacists can conduct independent searches online to find relevant educational institutions and prospective employers in this field.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/a-career-as-a-pharmacist-201591.html
About the Author:
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative Jobs
If you are looking for a rewarding career in the pharmaceutical industry, you might want to think about becoming a pharmacist. Pharmacists dispense drugs that doctors prescribe for patients. Additionally, they advise patients on dosages and side effects. Pharmacists also monitor the health and progress of patients to ensure that patients use prescribed drugs safely and benefit from them. Currently, most pharmaceutical companies manufacture drugs in standard dosages, reducing the need for compounding drugs in the pharmacy.
Overview
Many pharmacists choose to work in retail and community settings, while others prefer to work in-house for health clinics or medical institutions.
Pharmacists who work for healthcare facilities often choose to obtain training in specialty fields like intravenous nutrition support, geriatric pharmacy, oncology, or nuclear pharmacy. Many pharmacists also prepare and administer intravenous drugs to patients, especially those suffering from cancer and other advanced diseases. Additionally, pharmacists are responsible for keeping accurate records of drugs administered to patients. Many senior pharmacists work as faculty members at academic institutions, where they teach, conduct research, and prepare students for graduation and licensure.
Many pharmacists find work with pharmaceutical companies, where they can become involved in research and development. Other pharmacists work in marketing and sales, promoting their companies' products to doctors, hospitals, and allied health professionals. Other employers include government bodies and public healthcare services.
Employment Opportunities
In the United States, a significant number of pharmacists work part time. Most full-time pharmacists work 40 hours per week with occasional overtime. However, many self-employed pharmacists put in more than 50 hours per week. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were about 230,000 pharmacy jobs in the U.S. in 2004. Around 24% of salaried pharmacists work in hospitals, while others work for retail and community pharmacies, clinics, healthcare agencies, or the federal government.
Salaries
Pharmacy is a relatively high-paying professional field. In May 2004, the median earnings of pharmacists were between $75,700 and around $95,000 per year. Pharmacists working for department stores earned the highest salaries, followed by those employed by grocery stores, health and personal care boutiques, hospitals, and other general outlets.
Qualifications and Licensure
In the United States, all pharmacists need to have licenses to practice. Prospective pharmacists are also required to possess degrees accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX). Furthermore, 43 states, including the District of Columbia, require candidates to pass the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE). Additionally, candidates licensed in one state may need to pass a reexamination in another state. It is always advisable to check the examination requirements of other states before applying for a licensing examination.
Summary
Pharmacists should be practical and methodical and should have scientific aptitude. They should also have a strong desire to help others. Aspiring pharmacists can conduct independent searches online to find relevant educational institutions and prospective employers in this field.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/careers-articles/a-career-as-a-pharmacist-201591.html
About the Author:
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative Jobs
December 27, 2007
Training for a Career in Pharmacy
Career opportunities in the medical field are growing faster than any other field. There are many available opportunities working in a pharmacy setting. Training programs are widely available for both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Training programs vary in length and cost, but provide the pathway to a rewarding career.
Career opportunities in the medical field are growing faster than any other field. There are many available opportunities working in a pharmacy setting. Training programs are widely available for both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Training programs vary in length and cost, but provide the pathway to a rewarding career.
Pharmacy Technician. Training for pharmacy-technician.asp"> pharmacy technicians involves a comprehensive diploma program that takes about one year to complete. Training programs require a high school diploma or equivalent, and are offered at community colleges and hospitals. Students take course work in pharmacy laws, billing, and calculations, as well as medical terminology and computer science. Training programs also consist of an intensive internship program to prepare students for work in a pharmacy. Upon completion of a training program, students are eligible for the title of Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), provided they successfully pass examination administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.
In a given work day, CHPT perform a variety of duties to assist the pharmacists and the daily operations of the pharmacy. CHPT prepare medical prescriptions by measuring, counting, and labeling prescriptions. They also perform administrative duties including managing medical and insurance records and delivering medications and healthcare products to patients, under the direct supervision of a pharmacist. Pharmacy technicians work in variety of healthcare facilities. Training and certification is not always required, but is preferred by most employers, and makes the employee more competitive for jobs and wages.
Pharmacist:
Training for a pharmacist takes considerably longer than that for a technician, but it is a much more complex position. Pharmacists must complete the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) advanced level degree program. Entrance into a PharmD program requires college education in a science related field and an acceptable score on the PCAT-Pharmacy College Admissions Test. A PharmD program prepares a pharmacist with advanced training in extensive medical knowledge, including pharmaceutical practice, patient care, and drug therapy. To become certified, Pharmacists must complete a one year internship and successfully pass the NAPLEX-North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination. Pharmacists may also complete residencies to become further specialized in the field of pharmacy. Some specialties include nuclear pharmacy, pharmacotherapy, and psychiatric pharmacy.
Pharmacists perform a variety of duties and have direct healthcare responsibilities to patients. Pharmacists assist patients with healthcare questions and problems, develop medication schedules, and monitor and evaluate treatments. A pharmacist's extensive knowledge of pharmacy and patient care helps them to serve as liaison between physicians and patients.
Job opportunities in pharmacy positions are very abundant, and there are several advantages to a career in the field. Earnings for pharmacy professionals are very competitive. Training for tech positions is relatively short, while PharmD training provides the professional development for a challenging career.
Articles Source - Free Articles
About the Author
Angela Oliver is a contributing writer for Healthcare-TrainingCenter.com, a site offering free information for healthcare training and job opportunities. Please visit the site for more information about training for a career in a pharmacy.
Career opportunities in the medical field are growing faster than any other field. There are many available opportunities working in a pharmacy setting. Training programs are widely available for both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Training programs vary in length and cost, but provide the pathway to a rewarding career.
Pharmacy Technician. Training for pharmacy-technician.asp"> pharmacy technicians involves a comprehensive diploma program that takes about one year to complete. Training programs require a high school diploma or equivalent, and are offered at community colleges and hospitals. Students take course work in pharmacy laws, billing, and calculations, as well as medical terminology and computer science. Training programs also consist of an intensive internship program to prepare students for work in a pharmacy. Upon completion of a training program, students are eligible for the title of Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT), provided they successfully pass examination administered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.
In a given work day, CHPT perform a variety of duties to assist the pharmacists and the daily operations of the pharmacy. CHPT prepare medical prescriptions by measuring, counting, and labeling prescriptions. They also perform administrative duties including managing medical and insurance records and delivering medications and healthcare products to patients, under the direct supervision of a pharmacist. Pharmacy technicians work in variety of healthcare facilities. Training and certification is not always required, but is preferred by most employers, and makes the employee more competitive for jobs and wages.
Pharmacist:
Training for a pharmacist takes considerably longer than that for a technician, but it is a much more complex position. Pharmacists must complete the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) advanced level degree program. Entrance into a PharmD program requires college education in a science related field and an acceptable score on the PCAT-Pharmacy College Admissions Test. A PharmD program prepares a pharmacist with advanced training in extensive medical knowledge, including pharmaceutical practice, patient care, and drug therapy. To become certified, Pharmacists must complete a one year internship and successfully pass the NAPLEX-North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination. Pharmacists may also complete residencies to become further specialized in the field of pharmacy. Some specialties include nuclear pharmacy, pharmacotherapy, and psychiatric pharmacy.
Pharmacists perform a variety of duties and have direct healthcare responsibilities to patients. Pharmacists assist patients with healthcare questions and problems, develop medication schedules, and monitor and evaluate treatments. A pharmacist's extensive knowledge of pharmacy and patient care helps them to serve as liaison between physicians and patients.
Job opportunities in pharmacy positions are very abundant, and there are several advantages to a career in the field. Earnings for pharmacy professionals are very competitive. Training for tech positions is relatively short, while PharmD training provides the professional development for a challenging career.
Articles Source - Free Articles
About the Author
Angela Oliver is a contributing writer for Healthcare-TrainingCenter.com, a site offering free information for healthcare training and job opportunities. Please visit the site for more information about training for a career in a pharmacy.
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