Pharmacy Careers: What Should I Follow?

Pharmacies generally employ two types of professionals: pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. While both are an integral part of a pharmacy's performance, they represent two very different approaches to pharmacy careers. When deciding which career is right for you, many factors come into play. In this article, we will describe these two careers in pharmacy so you can make the right choice.

Pharmacist: what is it?

Pharmacists are health professionals who are responsible for dispensing prescription drugs to patients. Typically, a pharmacist will fill prescriptions, check a patient's prescription interactions, instruct patients on the proper use of a medication, and supervise pharmacy technicians, interns, and other pharmacy careers. Many pharmacists own or operate their own pharmacy and are more business-minded. Some pharmacists work for pharmaceutical manufacturers and participate in the creation of new drugs. The median annual salary for pharmacists is very good, reaching $ 111,570 as of May 2010, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

How do I become a pharmacist?

The path to becoming a pharmacist is unique, while most graduate programs require a bachelor's degree or four years of college experience, a Doctor of Pharmacy program requires just two, provided the appropriate prerequisites are met, such as courses of chemistry, anatomy, and biology (although some programs require a bachelor's degree). An entrance exam, known as the College Pharmacy Admission Test (PCAT), is also required. Most programs will take approximately four years to complete, and graduates desiring a more advanced pharmacist position will complete a one- or two-year residency program. Many pharmacists who own their own pharmacies will also earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Graduates must also pass two exams detailing pharmacy skills and pharmacy law to obtain a state license. While this process may seem lengthy, it pays off with one of the most rewarding careers in pharmacy.

Pharmacy technician: what is it?

Pharmacy technicians (or pharmacists) help pharmacists dispense prescription drugs to patients. Typically, they are the ones who measure prescriptions, combine medications like ointments, package and label pharmaceuticals, and perform routine tasks such as answering phones and filling out forms. The pharmacy technician will work under the supervision of the pharmacist; If the client has questions about medications or health, the French pharmacy online technician will arrange for the client to speak to the pharmacist, as he / she is the more capable of the two pharmacy careers. . Technicians must have excellent customer service skills, organization skills and be detail oriented. The median annual salary for a pharmacy technician was $ 28,400 as of May 2010, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

How do I become a pharmacy technician?

Becoming a pharmacy technician provides the simplest process of the two pharmacy careers. Each technician must have a high school diploma or equivalent and pass an exam or complete a formal training program, depending on the state. Many pharmacy technicians will learn their skills on-site, but some will attend vocational schools or community colleges to complete programs in pharmacy technology. These programs detail pharmacy arithmetic, law and ethics, and record keeping. This path will allow the fastest job straight from high school for graduates reflecting on one of the careers in pharmacy.