The term Pharmacist brings to mind a frazzled person poring over and trying to figure out a doctor's prescription. The truth is not confined to such stereotypical beliefs. As highly skilled and educated healthcare professionals who are the most accessible to patients, Pharmacists play a crucial role in e... Continue Reading
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Explore Career The term Pharmacist brings to mind a frazzled person poring over and trying to figure out a doctor's prescription. The truth is not confined to such stereotypical beliefs. As highly skilled and educated healthcare professionals who are the most accessible to patients, Pharmacists play a crucial role in ensuring people gain optimal benefits from their medication.
What are the typical responsibilities of a Pharmacist?
Generally, Pharmacists work in clean, well-lit, and well-ventilated community settings. Travel is possible when working with international companies.
Most Pharmacists work full time four to five days a week, but their schedule depends on their work and employer. They may work around 10 to 12 hours a day, including night shifts, weekends, and holidays.
Finding a new job might seem challenging. Pharmacists can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms and leveraging social media.
Pharmacists are generally employed by:
Healthcare associations such as the International Pharmaceutical Federation (IPF) provide unparalleled networking and educational opportunities. They offer all the certification courses members will need throughout their professional careers.
Affiliated Pharmacists may attend conventions, seminars, and dinners frequented by peers, mentors, and other industry leaders. The events help them learn about the newest breakthroughs and latest developments in the field, including plum jobs.
You will spend a quarter of your time in retail or hospital pharmacies interning under an experienced professional. Two- to six-week-long summer work placements in community/hospital pharmacies or industrial pharmacy will also help aspiring Pharmacists gain practical experience. Some employers may use these programs to hire pre-registration trainees.
Some locations require promising candidates to complete a year-long pre-registration training in a community pharmacy or other approved training sites under the supervision of a tutor.
Hospital pharmacies may offer opportunities for gratis work experience lasting from a few days to a few weeks; they will enhance your customer/patient care skills. Placement in a pharmaceutical company and shadowing an experienced pharmacist will also give you a feel for the working environment.
As in any career, reading as much as possible about the profession, talking with a high school counselor, and interviewing your local pharmacist will offer proof of your commitment to course providers and prospective employers.
Aspiring Pharmacists should normally obtain a bachelor’s degree, which gives them adequate knowledge about biology, general & organic chemistry, physics, math, statistics, English, history, and economics to gain admission to an accredited pharmacy program.
There is more than one way to qualify as a Pharmacist. Requirements for admission to the various PharmD programs also vary. Most admit applicants who earn commendable college grades and pass a nationally valid pharmacy school entrance test. Invest adequate time in due diligence before settling upon a specific path.
Some programs require pharmacy students to complete two years of pre-professional college education before admission to the PharmD program. Others accept students who have just completed high school and ensure they meet all the requirements for qualification (except licensing) over the next six to seven years.
Early assurance programs allow a fresh high school graduate to enter a pharmacy school after completing two years of undergraduate coursework and other basic requirements.
A Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm D) program usually takes four years to complete, but some universities offer accelerated programs that may be completed in two to three years.
PharmD programs use chemistry, organic chemistry and biology to explain how pharmaceuticals affect the human body. Students also take classes in pharmacologic law and ethics, medical terminology, and written correspondence.
In some locations, students may choose to complete a four-year master’s degree in pharmacy (MPharm) approved by their national pharmaceutical council. Integrated training programs entail building an understanding of pharmacology, pharmaceutics, and physiology.
If you do not have the required qualifications to get admission to an accredited MPharm program, enrol in a two-year, full-time pharmacy foundation course that includes the first year of the MPharm degree and work placements. It will enable you to enter year two without further ado.
Regardless of the pathway chosen, Pharmacists need to complete a one- to two-year residency after completing the postgraduate program. Pharmacists who complete a two-year residency program gain additional experience in a speciality such as internal medicine or geriatric treatment.
A Pharmacist may become a Certified Diabetes Educator or obtain certification in a speciality such as nutrition or oncology. You may need to demonstrate the required work experience, pass an exam, and usually pay a fee to get certified.
Pharmacists require a license, especially those who administer vaccinations and immunisations. Individual government entities conduct the licensing process. It typically requires a minimum level of education, passing exams that test your skills and knowledge in pharmacy and pharmacy law, and accumulating two to six weeks of work experience. You may need to take additional exams to retain your license when you move to a different location.
Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive the career progression of Pharmacists. If you work for a large pharmaceutical chain, you may advance to Branch and District Manager positions. That of a Pharmacy Superintendent may be the peak of your career. There will also be opportunities to advance into management positions to supervise pharmacy technicians and sales assistants.
Some Pharmacists may promote their careers by working in GP surgeries and health centres as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team. If you are so inclined, you will have the chance to focus on scientific writing, research, publishing, and consultancy, including recruitment and training. And, of course, you may get to open a pharmacy after accumulating significant experience and capital.
There is intense competition for jobs. Pharmacists with speciality certifications and strong interpersonal skills have better job prospects.
Employers typically offer formal and rigorous professional development training programs of varying lengths to help freshly recruited Pharmacists gain experience in diverse retail areas. Employers also provide training sessions in problem-solving, decision-making, and communication skills which are highly advantageous when interacting with patients.
You must stay updated with advances in pharmacological science, existing and new legislation by reading medical journals/articles and attending conferences.
Postgraduate training to earn a clinical diploma or postgraduate courses in pharmaceutical technology and medicinal chemistry will enhance your knowledge and skills. Additionally, qualified Pharmacists who own a pharmacy may opt to pursue a master's degree in business administration (MBA).
Those who graduate from PharmD programs need to renew their license annually. In other locations, qualified Pharmacists need to also renew their registration with their national pharmaceutical council or its equivalent annually. In both cases, CPD and continuing education courses will demonstrate that your knowledge is up to date.
Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment
Freelancing Pharmacists have more flexible work schedules and locations. They have full ownership of the business and can select their clients and areas they want to specialise in. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.
On the other hand, a full-time Pharmacist has company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety. When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.
Specialisations
Pharmacists searching for career opportunities beyond conventional pill-dispensing roles at the local drugstore or hospital have many choices.
Academic Pharmacists work in educational institutes to teach and train aspiring pharmacists and pharmaceutical scientists. They engage in research to discover new drugs while improving therapeutic and health outcomes and manufacturing technology. They also work as consultants in universities and health, patient care, & public service organisations.
Ambulatory Pharmacists deal with patients who transition from the hospital to their homes or other care facilities and those in outpatient clinics. You must educate and aid patients with chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol while promoting their health and wellness.
Compounding Pharmacists create custom prescription drugs to meet the specific needs of each patient. They prepare, mix, assemble, package, and label the products.
Consultant Pharmacists, also known as long-term-care Pharmacists, ensure that residents of long-term-care facilities receive the proper dosage of medication at the right time. They focus on subacute care, psychiatric clinics, hospice services, and in-home & community-based care.
Pharmaceutical companies employ industrial Pharmacists to supervise all aspects of drug production. They may specialise in aerosol or topical prescriptions, tablets or capsules.
Travel Pharmacists work on a contract with either a pharmacy or a pharmaceutical company to fill staffing needs while searching for a permanent employee. You may need to move to a new location as frequently as every three months.
Hospital Pharmacists collaborate closely with medical and nursing personnel to ensure that hospital patients receive the best care possible regarding drug quality, dosage, and administration methods.
Oncology Pharmacists assist cancer patients at any stage of their treatment, from assessment and diagnosis to treatment decisions, drug management, symptom management, and supportive care, and eventually survivorship services at the end of their treatment.
A home infusion Pharmacist looks after patients’ medical and pharmaceutical needs in the comfort of their homes or residential care environments. They work closely with doctors and other medical practitioners to provide expert guidance.
Without Pharmacists, the medical community's balance would be disrupted; they ascertain patients receive appropriate medication and education. And if they experience a series of medical adventures on the way that lead to essential but unexpected findings, well, it makes for a kaleidoscopic and rewarding career.
Put yourself in the shoes of the patient or caregiver for a moment. Before you answer, give them your full attention and demonstrate your humanity and your professional knowledge.
Pharmacists are licensed to administer vaccines.
A Pharmacist would typically need to:
Accredited
$75,330
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