What is a Pharmacist?
Job Description & Duties 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.
Pharmacist Responsibilities
- Collaborate with other health care professionals to plan, monitor, review, or evaluate the quality or effectiveness of drugs or drug regimens, providing advice on drug applications or characteristics.
- Advise customers on the selection of medication brands, medical equipment, or healthcare supplies.
- Work in hospitals or clinics or for Health Management Organizations (HMOs), dispensing prescriptions, serving as a medical team consultant, or specializing in specific drug therapy areas, such as oncology or nuclear pharmacotherapy.
- Update or troubleshoot pharmacy information databases.
- Publish educational information for other pharmacists, doctors, or patients.
- Analyze prescribing trends to monitor patient compliance and to prevent excessive usage or harmful interactions.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Pharmacist?
When polled, Pharmacists say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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
- Prescriptionist
- Druggist
- Staff Pharmacist
- Staff Pharmacist, Hospital
- Retail Pharmacist
Is There Job Demand for Pharmacists?
In the United States, there were 312,500 jobs for Pharmacist in 2016. 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. The BLS estimates 15,300 yearly job openings in this field.
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.
Pharmacist Average Salary
The salary for Pharmacists ranges between about $87,790 and $161,250 a year.
Pharmacists who work in Alaska, California, or Vermont, make the highest salaries.
How much do Pharmacists make in different U.S. states?
| 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 |
What Tools & Technology do Pharmacists Use?
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 do I Become a Pharmacist?
Education needed to be a Pharmacist:
What work experience do I need to become a Pharmacist?
Pharmacists Sector
Below are examples of industries where Pharmacists work:
References:
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More about our data sources and methodologies.
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