What Does it Take to Be a Pharmacist?
Pharmacist Job Description Dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use. May advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosage, interactions, and side effects of medications.
Life As a Pharmacist
- Analyze prescribing trends to monitor patient compliance and to prevent excessive usage or harmful interactions.
- Contact insurance companies to resolve billing issues.
- Teach pharmacy students serving as interns in preparation for their graduation or licensure.
- Refer patients to other health professionals or agencies when appropriate.
- Offer health promotion or prevention activities, such as training people to use blood pressure devices or diabetes monitors.
- Update or troubleshoot pharmacy information databases.
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What a Pharmacist Should Know
Below is a list of the skills most Pharmacists say are important on the job.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Types of Pharmacist Jobs
- Registered Pharmacist
- Pharmacy Services Director
- Prescriptionist
- Pharmacy Consultant
- Pharmacist in Charge (PIC)
Job Demand for Pharmacists
There were about 312,500 jobs for Pharmacist in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 17,400 new jobs for Pharmacist by 2026. There will be an estimated 15,300 positions for Pharmacist per year.
The states with the most job growth for Pharmacist are Utah, Arizona, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Wisconsin, or New Jersey. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Pharmacist
The typical yearly salary for Pharmacists is somewhere between $87,790 and $161,250.
Pharmacists who work in Alaska, California, or Vermont, make the highest salaries.
How much do Pharmacists make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $122,200 |
| Alaska | $139,880 |
| Arizona | $125,210 |
| Arkansas | $118,320 |
| California | $139,690 |
| Colorado | $120,980 |
| Connecticut | $123,950 |
| Delaware | $125,400 |
| District of Columbia | $125,160 |
| Florida | $119,710 |
| Georgia | $118,710 |
| Hawaii | $121,780 |
| Idaho | $121,940 |
| Illinois | $125,360 |
| Indiana | $117,260 |
| Iowa | $116,160 |
| Kansas | $121,790 |
| Kentucky | $122,450 |
| Louisiana | $119,380 |
| Maine | $133,050 |
| Maryland | $121,210 |
| Massachusetts | $116,890 |
| Michigan | $117,680 |
| Minnesota | $129,080 |
| Mississippi | $124,120 |
| Missouri | $128,420 |
| Montana | $112,290 |
| Nebraska | $119,670 |
| Nevada | $124,430 |
| New Hampshire | $127,350 |
| New Jersey | $120,660 |
| New Mexico | $125,450 |
| New York | $121,030 |
| North Carolina | $123,370 |
| North Dakota | $103,250 |
| Ohio | $116,720 |
| Oklahoma | $115,000 |
| Oregon | $130,480 |
| Pennsylvania | $116,200 |
| Rhode Island | $120,890 |
| South Carolina | $122,900 |
| South Dakota | $116,410 |
| Tennessee | $124,310 |
| Texas | $126,800 |
| Utah | $117,570 |
| Vermont | $135,420 |
| Virginia | $123,920 |
| Washington | $127,360 |
| West Virginia | $115,130 |
| Wisconsin | $132,400 |
| Wyoming | $117,700 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Pharmacists
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Pharmacists:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft SharePoint
- MEDITECH software
- Epic Systems
- Recordkeeping software
- Pyxis MedStation software
- Label-making software
How to Become a Pharmacist
Education needed to be a Pharmacist:
What work experience do I need to become a Pharmacist?
Pharmacists Sector
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
References:
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More about our data sources and methodologies.
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