The Prescription for a Great Pharmacist Career

Pharmacists have been around for about 50 centuries, evolving from the practice of medicine slowly into what it is today. To this day, there isn’t anyone as knowledgeable about all the types of medication as a pharmacist. You can find a pharmacist working in places like big box retail pharmacies to internet-based medical companies, doling out prescription medications and offering helpful advice.

Read further to understand what a pharmacist's career entails.

A DOSE OF A DAY IN THE LIFE

A pharmacist has a varied career encompassing a large part of the care and wellness plans of patients. Pharmacists also profoundly influence research and the advancement of medicine. What a pharmacist’s day looks like will vary based on where they’re employed.

Most commonly found on the daily to-do list of a pharmacist:

• Fill prescriptions: Pharmacists have to dole out medicine and prepare the bottles for patients. In doing so, they need to ensure the dosing is correct, there will be no conflicting medications that may cause an adverse reaction, and make sure medication is being given to the correct patient.
• Communicate with prescribers: If a pharmacist notices conflicting information or does not understand a prescription, they will contact the doctor who prescribed the medication.
• Ensure safety of the patient: Pharmacists are responsible for patient safety — this includes ensuring medications that are administered will not interact with one another.
• Working with insurance companies: No patient should go without their medications. And it’s sometimes the pharmacist that has to be the patient’s advocate.
• Staff supervision: A pharmacist may also be responsible for monitoring others working in the pharmacy such as techs and assistants.
• Administration work: Pharmacists are also responsible for supplying the necessary amount of medication and supplies, upkeep of paperwork and patient reports, along with other daily tasks.
• Administer vaccinations: A pharmacist who is certified in immunizations is able to vaccinate patients.
• Building relationships: Pharmacists may also spend time with patients responding to questions and concerns about the prescribed medicine. As patients become more comfortable with you, they may even refer friends and family to your pharmacy.

QUALITIES THAT MAKE A GREAT PHARMACIST

Becoming a pharmacist, you can expect to have a highly rewarding career within the medical industry. It is not a job everyone can handle; there are certain soft skills and qualities necessary for you to be a successful pharmacist.

• Patience with the patients: The care you provide needs to be patient-focused. Not every patient may be easy, but more often than not, listening to their concerns and sharing your knowledge can mitigate most situations.
• Communication: As a pharmacist, you need to be able communicate well with doctors and patients alike. You’ll also have to be a good listener.
• Be analytical: To accurately and safely administer medications, patient needs along with the orders of the doctor, must be assessed.
• Some business savvy: Whether you own a pharmacy or work at one, you need some business acumen to operate as the face of the pharmacy. You will be managing inventory, as well as the staff.
• Be a team player: Whether you’re working alongside other pharmacists, techs, or computers, you need to be able to get along with, listen to, and collaborate with everyone on your team.

IS PHARMACY A GOOD CAREER CHOICE?

Pharmacy is an excellent industry for a person who is proficient in chemistry and enjoys helping others. It is also a very lucrative career. While there is not a lot of flexibility in pharmacy work hours, pharmacists have much room for upward mobility in their careers. Generally speaking, this career advancement can result in corresponding raises.

Pharmacists also have a variety of places they can work in. A pharmacist can work in a standard, retail pharmacy, but can also work in a hospital building, inpatient care units, or even in research fields.

IT TAKES TIME — SO ENJOY THE JOURNEY

It generally takes between 6-8 years to become a licensed pharmacist, but the career is well worth the schooling it involves.

Your pharmacy educational path at a glance:

• Receive your high school diploma or GED.
• Undergrad is a must. Four years with a focus on science such as biology, anatomy and physiology, chemistry and organic chemistry, along with mathematical courses.
• After completing your undergrad, you must apply to pharmacy school to earn your doctorate. You must take the PCAT (Pharmacy College Admissions Test) to get admitted to a pharmacy school.
• Obtain your doctorate in pharmacy, often referred to as Pharm.D.
• After you’ve completed all the required education, you’ll have to sit for and pass the North American Pharmacist Licensing Exam (NAPLEX).
• Upon passing the NAPLEX, you will need to pass the state specific exam, the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE).
• Some states may require internships.
• If you decide you want to specialize, you can spend one to two years in a clinical residency. There are some fascinating specialties available to pharmacists.

YOU CAN CHOOSE TO SPECIALIZE

Specializing isn’t a requirement for pharmacists, but to broaden your knowledge and skills, and gain a competitive edge, you may want to choose a specialty. Specialization certifications must be renewed, and there are continuing education components to each one as well.

• Ambulatory Care Pharmacist: This is a newer practice and certification for pharmacists. Ambulatory care incorporates integrated, accessible healthcare services with patient care and medication management.
• Critical Care Pharmacist: This certification allows pharmacists to work alongside the medical team assisting with critically ill patients. They make sure the medications that are being administered are safe and necessary.
• Geriatric Pharmacist: With this board certification, pharmacists consult with the healthcare team taking care of elderly patients within nursing and assisted living facilities, as well as hospice.
• Nuclear Pharmacist: This is a specialty area in which pharmacists are certified to work with radioactive materials used in nuclear medicine.
• Nutrition Support Pharmacist: Board Certified Nutrition Support Pharmacists care for patients who have to use specialized diets such as an IV or a feeding tube.
• Oncology Pharmacist: An oncology pharmacist is board certified to work with cancer patients. They are the experts managing all aspects of patient treatment and any side effects.
• Pediatric Pharmacist: Board Certified Pediatric Pharmacists will explain medications to their pediatric patients and family, track progress, and manage interactions and any side effects. Pediatric pharmacists usually work within doctor offices, medical clinics, hospitals, or pharmacies.
• Pharmacotherapy Pharmacist: This certification allows pharmacists to work alongside the medical team to determine the best course of medicine to optimize the patient’s outcome.
• Psychiatric Pharmacist: Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacists work with mentally ill patients to make sure they are using the most effective medications possible.
• Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE): People see their pharmacist more often than their physician. By adding a CDE designation to your title, you can help patients with diabetes.
• Providing CDC-Approved Immunizations: If you’re going to be administering vaccinations, then you’ll need to have an additional certification which is available through the American Pharmacists Association. Most states do require this certification for their pharmacists.

COLLEGE EXPENSES

Your pharmacy school education could fall somewhere in the range of $20,000 to well over $100,000. While it goes without saying that the range is huge and the amount is daunting, scholarships and financial aid are available to those who qualify, which we will discuss in our next section.

Despite the large amount of student loans one can incur during their years in pharmacy school, the average salary pharmacists earn can offset the amount of student debt once employed. The average salary for pharmacists falls into six-figures.

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR PHARMACY STUDENTS

There are a significant amount of scholarships available for students heading into, or already attending pharmacy school. These can be compounded with other types of awards, as well. Make sure you first fill out the FAFSA online.

• CVS Health Foundation: Gives money directly to pharmacy schools who then offer applying students a way to earn the scholarship funds.
• NCPA Foundation: The NCPA offers a few different pharmacy scholarships, each including a stipend to attend its annual conference, which is a requirement when accepting the scholarship awards.
• Tylenol Future Care Scholarship: The Tylenol Future Care Scholarship can be earned by students going into the healthcare industry.
• APhA Foundation Student Scholarship Program: Opening in the Fall, it is available to active members of the APhA Academy of Student Pharmacists.
• AFPE Program Scholarships: There are eight programs for the first year through fellowship programs.
• Fruth Scholarship Fund: This family-funded scholarship program offers school-specific scholarships, as well as some additional scholarships.

PHARMACIST SALARY

According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, pharmacists earned an average salary of $134,790 in 2023, with the top 10 percent making $168,650 or more. Pharmacists' pay varies depending on location, experience, and industry.

Highest Paying States in 2023

JOB MARKET

The Bureau of Labor Statistics also reported that the demand for pharmacists is expected to slightly grow 3 percent by 2032, which is consistent with the national average of all occupations. To remain competitive in the job market, it is important to ensure you have the correct licenses required by your state.

Additionally, if you get licensed in one of the specialty areas of pharmacy, you may have a better chance of being hired over someone without any additional licensing to their credit.

BEYOND THE DEGREE: LICENSING REQUIREMENTS BY STATE