Career: Pharmacists
When you imagine pharmacists at work, do you see them counting out pills and filling bottles? That’s actually only a small part of a pharmacist’s job.
These professionals play a key role in the treatment of disease. They advise both doctors and patients about the dosages, interactions, and side effects of medications. In fact, pharmacists don’t only work at the corner drugstore. You’ll also find them researching new medications for drug companies or monitoring drug therapy at hospitals, nursing homes, and mental health institutions.
Pharmacists prepare and distribute medications prescribed by doctors and other health practitioners. They advise patients on the drugs they take and make sure that they avoid dangerous drug interactions.
Did You Know?
- Some pharmacists specialize in specific drug therapies such as cancer or mental health treatments.
Are You Ready To...?
- Pass a licensing exam to practice in your state
- Educate patients and answer a wide range of questions
- Provide diet, exercise, and other health information that does not involve prescription medication
- Respect and protect patient privacy
- Conduct experiments if you go into research and development
- Keep up with the latest advances
- Work some nights and weekends
It Helps to Be...
A careful communicator who is interested in helping people and pays close attention to detail. You must be certain that clients understand drug instructions and pay careful attention to the dangers of drug interactions and side effects.
Make High School Count
- Take plenty of math and science classes, including AP® courses in biology, chemistry, physics, and calculus.
- Build communication skills in English, drama, and speech classes.
- Learn a foreign language so you can communicate with patients in diverse communities.
- Volunteer or work at a health clinic, hospital, or community pharmacy.
- Explore summer study programs like the University of Massachusetts’ High School Health Careers Program or the Health Careers Opportunity Program at the University of Montana.
Did You Know?
- Pharmacists help patients kick their cigarette habits or manage health conditions such as diabetes.
Outlook
Government economists expect job growth for pharmacists to be faster than the average for all careers through 2014. Even now, there are not enough pharmacists to fill job openings, and the country is experiencing a shortage.
Job growth is expected in part because the aging U.S. population will need more medications. Advances in science, such as genetic research, should also create more drugs and therefore more opportunities for pharmacists. Finally, pharmacists are needed to compare the costs and benefits of certain medications for HMOs.
Compensation
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary of pharmacists in 2006 was $93,500.
