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If you are a pharmacist, you will be the one in charge of drug prescription. As a professional in the field of healthcare, you will be applying your extensive knowledge in medicine composition, possible side effects of certain drugs and laws regulating sale of medicine and advise patients and consumers on doctor’s instructions when medication is involved. Other than the above, you can also offer recommendation on a patient’s diet, exercise regime and daily routine for a better lifestyle.
Pharmacist Salary Information:
Your yearly salary as a pharmacist will be from $80,000 to $113,000. Depending on who your employer is, working in the retail industry is usually the most profitable. Although the monetary reward is attractive, working as a pharmacist means great responsibility in dispensing the correct drugs with the adequate strength and dosage, since any mistake may spell disaster to the patients. If you think you fit the bill, then you are probably going to be the next pharmacist in the business!
Pharmacist Education Requirements:
You will need to acquire a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, which includes 2 years of coursework on basic subjects such as biology, chemistry and mathematics, as well as another 4 years of advanced curriculum covering genetics, pharmaceuticals and medical ethics. Before you can even begin, you need to pass the Pharmacy College Admission Test and the college of your choice needs to be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.
Upon graduation, you are still required to take the North America Pharmacist Licensure Exam in order to be certified to begin your career as a pharmacist. In most of the states, you may need to pass another Multi-State Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam and even if it is bypassed in certain states, another test will usually be administered before you receive the license. Furthermore, you will need to have prior experience in the job before you are allowed to practice, and this is usually fulfilled during your internship period in your undergraduate days.
Pharmacist Work Environment:
As you will be handling drugs and medication most of the time, you will be stationed in clean environment indoors, which are usually air-conditioned. Working hour is 40 per week on average, though you may be working up to 50 hours per week if you are your own boss. As a pharmacist based in hospital, you will be expected to work beyond office hours and on weekends. In addition, you may have to stand for extended hours, so being physically fit is an asset. |
