Pharmacist Career Information
Written by rifqi on February 23rd, 2010 in Careers Employment.
Most pharmacists work within the community, for example, at a drugstore, or in a health care facility, like a hospital, nursing home, mental health institution, or neighborhood health clinic. These pharmacists not only dispense medications, but also counsel members of the public and advise physicians as to suitable courses of medication for their patients. Increasingly though, those who train how to become a pharmacist are pursuing non-traditional types of pharmacy work. Some conduct research for pharmaceutical manufacturers, developing new drugs and testing their effects. Others work in sales or marketing, providing clients with expertise on the use, effectiveness, and potential side effects of drugs.
Courses available at colleges of pharmacy will teach you about becoming a pharmacist and about related topics too, such as drug therapy. You will also be taught how to communicate with patients, and health care providers, about types of drugs and therapies. Classes on professional ethics, concepts of public health, and medication distribution systems will be included too. Your studies will not be restricted to the classroom either, as you will spend around a quarter of the time in an assortment of pharmacy practice settings under the supervision of licensed pharmacists.
To be admitted to a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) course, you are required to have completed at least 2 years of post-secondary study, however, the majority applicants have completed 3 or more years. Additional entry requirements usually include courses in natural sciences (such as biology and chemistry), and mathematics. In addition to academic requirements, it is advantageous to have good interpersonal skills and a desire to help others.
On completing the Doctor of Pharmacy course, and having acquired a license, as a result of rapid growth, and the need to replace workers who leave the occupation, finding a job should be no problem. The average starting salary is approximately 90 thousand dollars per year, based on a 40 hour week, and this will rise as you gain more experience.
Read On : Become A Pharmacist
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