What You Need to Know About Pharmacist
Position 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.
List of Pharmacist Job Duties
- 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.
- Manage pharmacy operations, hiring or supervising staff, performing administrative duties, or buying or selling non-pharmaceutical merchandise.
- Maintain records, such as pharmacy files, patient profiles, charge system files, inventories, control records for radioactive nuclei, or registries of poisons, narcotics, or controlled drugs.
- Teach pharmacy students serving as interns in preparation for their graduation or licensure.
- Assess the identity, strength, or purity of medications.
- Prepare sterile solutions or infusions for use in surgical procedures, emergency rooms, or patients’ homes.
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Skills Needed to be a Pharmacist
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.
Related Job Titles
- Pharmacist in Charge, Owner (PIC, Owner)
- Pharmacist
- Pharmacist Apprentice
- Druggist
- Clinical Pharmacist
What Kind of Pharmacist Job Opportunities Are There?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 312,500 jobs in the United States for Pharmacist. 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 15,300 job openings in this field each 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.
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 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 |
What Tools do Pharmacists Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Pharmacists may use on a daily basis:
- 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?
What education or degrees do I need to become a Pharmacist?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Pharmacist?
Pharmacists Sector
The table below shows the approximate number of Pharmacists employed by various industries.
References:
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More about our data sources and methodologies.
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