Your go-to guide to being a pharmacist: With skills and qualifications

The role of pharmacists has evolved significantly beyond dispensing medication. They’re now often the first point of contact for patients seeking advice. The modern approach involves understanding patients’ health profiles and medication needs and addressing potential drug-related issues. This guide explores a pharmacist’s job description, salary, work environment, and qualifications.

What does a pharmacist do?

Pharmacists actively participate in patient care. Key responsibilities include managing medications, conducting reviews, assessing drug interactions, and adjusting dosages. Other duties include:

• Reviewing prescriptions and patient histories for drug contraindications
• Packing pharmaceuticals for distribution
• Ensuring correct dosages for therapeutic effect
• Monitoring the distribution of non-prescription medications
• Labeling pharmaceuticals with recommendations and warnings for patients
• Advising patients and customers about over-the-counter medications for specific symptoms
• Submitting insurance claims for reimbursement
• Managing and educating pharmacy employees
• Maintaining patient records and ensuring their confidentiality
• Answering patient queries about side effects, missed dosages, and other issues
• Administering state-approved vaccines to eligible patients

Work environment

Most pharmacists work in retail, including pharmacies and drugstores. They maintain the inventory, dispense medications, provide patient education, and administer vaccinations. Pharmacists who work outside retail settings can have varied work environments. In this role, you may also work in hospitals, clinics, specialty centers, or pharmaceutical companies.

Many pharmacists work with other professionals, such as doctors, nurses, pharmacy technicians, and health care assistants.

Understanding electronic health records helps pharmacists with documentation, accessing patient histories, linking medications to patient problems, and evaluating therapy effectiveness.

How many hours do pharmacists work?

Pharmacists typically work full-time, approximately 40 hours a week. Depending on pharmacy hours, shifts may include evenings, weekends, and holidays, especially in retail or hospital settings with 24-hour operations.

What training does a pharmacist require?

Pharmacists undergo a college education, training, and work experience. Here are some qualifications you may need.

Education

If you want a career as a pharmacist, you’ll need to study for a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree and obtain a state license. You can work in a pharmacy with a high school education or bachelor’s degree, but independent pharmacists have a professional degree. You can focus on a major in fields such as chemistry, biology, physics, or biomedical science during your undergraduate study. Then, you can apply to the pharmacy education program of your choice.

Experience

After earning your Pharm.D., you can take the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination to start practicing. Each state has its own pharmacy board with specific licensure requirements, which may include additional exams or practical experience.

You can gain experience with an internship under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. This hands-on training will help you make contacts and understand the responsibilities of pharmacists. Ongoing education is also essential to maintain your license.

Skills

Crucial skills for pharmacists include:

• Electronic health record knowledge: Understanding electronic health records helps pharmacists with documentation, accessing patient histories, linking medications to patient problems, and evaluating therapy effectiveness.
• Pharmacology expertise: Expertise in pharmacology helps make informed decisions about drug therapy and recommendations.
• Compounding techniques: Pharmacists often prepare customized medications, requiring skills in compounding to meet specific patient needs.
• Communication skills: Strong communication skills can help you interact with patients and healthcare teams.
• Supervisory skills: Managing pharmacists must delegate tasks, educate staff, and oversee schedules.
• Research skills: The ability to research drug interactions, new pharmaceuticals, and other facets of the industry will prove valuable. 

Salary expectations

The average annual salary for a pharmacist is $129,500, varying by experience, location, and type of practice. Elevated costs of living often mean higher salaries, and earnings typically increase with experience. 

Look up salaries in your location with CareerBuilder’s salary tool.

Projected growth

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for pharmacists will grow by 5% from 2023 to 2033. An estimated 14,200 openings for pharmacists will occur each year as the demand for healthcare and prescription medications rises.

Frequently asked questions about being a pharmacist

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding this profession.

What does a day in the life of a pharmacist look like?

A pharmacist’s day involves various tasks, such as:

• Managing prescriptions: Checking accuracy in medication dispensation and consulting with health care providers.
• Interacting with patients: Answering questions about medications, providing advice, and assisting with insurance claims.
• Organizing inventory: Tracking medication supplies and updating patient records.
• Administrative duties: Maintaining digital records of patient interactions and adverse effects.

What different types of pharmacist jobs are there?

Pharmacists can specialize in various areas, including:

• Retail: Pharmacists often work in drug stores, providing direct patient care.
• Clinical roles: Clinical pharmacists typically work in hospitals, collaborating with medical teams to optimize patient care.
• Oncology: These pharmacists focus on cancer treatment medications, ensuring proper drug management.

What kind of advancement opportunities exist for pharmacists?

Pharmacists can advance to managerial roles, specialize in oncology or pediatrics, or move into research, academia, or corporate positions within pharmaceutical companies.

You can refer to this guide to help decide if a career as a pharmacist is right for you. If you’re ready to start your job search, upload your resume to CareerBuilder and improve your chances of getting hired! 

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