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Pharmacists work in conjunction with doctors and pharmacy
technicians to fill prescriptions and dispense drugs to
patients. A pharmacy career requires extensive training in the
natural sciences, mathematics, and study of the human body. A
pharmacy career may involve direct interaction with patients, or
work within the pharmaceutical research industry.
Job Description and Responsibilities of Pharmacy School Graduates for a Pharmacy
Career
Graduates of pharmacy schools
are expected to:
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Put patients at ease by
explaining health concerns and physician's recommendations
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Work in conjunction with
pharmacy technicians and pharmacy aides
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Administer vaccinations
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Complete various
administrative duties and learn about insurance paperwork
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Counsel and answer patient
questions
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Dispense medication
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Evaluate drug-use patterns
and provide advice
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Maintain confidentiality and
health industry codes of ethics
Pharmacy Career Options After
Pharmacy
School or Pharmacy College
Students of pharmacy school or pharmacy college can choose to work
in:
Pharmacy Career Specializations
Pharmacy career students and
pharmacy school graduates may choose to pursue a variety of specializations such
as:
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Nuclear Pharmacy to
administer radioactive drugs during therapy
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Geriatric Pharmacy to treat
diseases and disorders of elderly patients
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Pediatric Pharmacy to
administer drugs to children
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Nutrition Support Pharmacy to
provide specialized plans for optimal nutrition
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Psychiatric Pharmacy to
specialize in treatment for psychiatric disorders
Pharmacy School Training, Certification, and Pharmacy College Degree Programs
Prospective pharmacy school
students can obtain training and certification through a formal degree program,
or choose to purse an online pharmacy school program. Preparation for a pharmacy
school degree generally requires enrollment in a pre-pharmacy program. This can
take up to two years of study with a highly-structured curriculum. Most pharmacy
college students will enroll in classes such as:
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General Chemistry
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Fundamentals of Biology
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Intro Analysis of Calculus
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Anatomy & Physiology
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Intro to Microbiology
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Organic Chemistry
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General Physics
The Bachelor of Science in
Pharmaceutical Sciences (BSPS) is a four-year degree program offered at the
undergraduate level through the School o f Pharmacy. The Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.
D) is a six-year program that enables students to obtain a license in addition
to the hands-on experience.
All students interested in
pursuing a pharmacy career must obtain a state license. The pharmacy college
student or pharmacy school graduate must pass an exam from an accredited
pharmacy institution. All States in the United States test pharmacy school
students by administering the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX).
The District of Columbia requires all students to pass the Multistate Pharmacy
Jurisprudence Exam (MJPE). California is the only state which does not require
extensive reexamination to pharmacists who obtained a license in another state.
Most states do require ongoing education in order to renew the pharmacist
license, and each state board outlines the details for license renewal,
examination procedures, and transfers.
Graduate programs for pharmacy
schools can lead to a Master of Science or Ph.D. degree. Continuing education
programs may involve non-degree certificate programs in each division. Common
continuing education programs for pharmacy students include:
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Nuclear Pharmacy
Certification
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Diabetes Patient Care
Certification
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Pharmaceutical Care
Certification
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Asthma Patient Care
Certification
Online Pharmacy Degree Options
with Online Pharmacy Schools
Another option is to enroll in
an online pharmacy degree program. An online pharmacy school can offer the
flexibility of working on an independent schedule, while still including
comprehensive research material for review and study. Obtaining a pharmacy
degree online is a valuable option for many students who are returning adult
students, have full-time jobs, or are located too far from their prospective
pharmacy school.
Accreditation of Pharmacy Schools
Pharmacy school accreditation
is conducted through the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) and the Council for
Higher Education Association (CHEA). The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy
Education (ACPE) sets the standards for the majority of pharmacy programs and
pharmacy colleges. Six regional bodies throughout the
United States
also accredit pharmacy education, and the National Association of Boards of
Pharmacy enforces many guidelines and standards.
Pharmacy School and Pharmacy College Graduates
Earning Potential and Employment Prospects
With scientific advances increasing in scope, the demand for
highly-trained pharmacists is growing at a faster than average pace. The rise in
healthcare services, especially for the elderly population, makes a pharmacy
career a very valuable employment option. Community pharmacies continue to grow
and expand throughout the country, and licensed pharmacists can look forward to
a promising, long-term pharmacy career. The median salary for pharmacists was
$89,400 in 2004. Earnings vary depending on location, employer, and skill level.
Related occupations include:
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Pharmacy aides
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Chemists
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Medical scientists
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Physicians and surgeons
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Biological scientists
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Pharmaceutical sales
- Pharmaceutical
research
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