| If you are looking for a rewarding career in the | | | | self-employed pharmacists put in more than 50 |
| pharmaceutical industry, you might want to think | | | | hours per week. According to the Bureau of |
| about becoming a pharmacist. Pharmacists | | | | Labor Statistics, there were about 230,000 |
| dispense drugs that doctors prescribe for patients. | | | | pharmacy jobs in the U.S. in 2004. Around 24% |
| Additionally, they advise patients on dosages and | | | | of salaried pharmacists work in hospitals, while |
| side effects. Pharmacists also monitor the health | | | | others work for retail and community pharmacies, |
| and progress of patients to ensure that patients | | | | clinics, healthcare agencies, or the federal |
| use prescribed drugs safely and benefit from | | | | government. |
| them. Currently, most pharmaceutical companies | | | | Salaries |
| manufacture drugs in standard dosages, reducing | | | | Pharmacy is a relatively high-paying professional |
| the need for compounding drugs in the pharmacy. | | | | field. In May 2004, the median earnings of |
| Overview | | | | pharmacists were between $75,700 and around |
| Many pharmacists choose to work in retail and | | | | $95,000 per year. Pharmacists working for |
| community settings, while others prefer to work | | | | department stores earned the highest salaries, |
| in-house for health clinics or medical institutions. | | | | followed by those employed by grocery stores, |
| Pharmacists who work for healthcare facilities | | | | health and personal care boutiques, hospitals, and |
| often choose to obtain training in specialty fields | | | | other general outlets. |
| like intravenous nutrition support, geriatric | | | | Qualifications and Licensure |
| pharmacy, oncology, or nuclear pharmacy. Many | | | | In the United States, all pharmacists need to have |
| pharmacists also prepare and administer | | | | licenses to practice. Prospective pharmacists are |
| intravenous drugs to patients, especially those | | | | also required to possess degrees accredited by |
| suffering from cancer and other advanced | | | | the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education |
| diseases. Additionally, pharmacists are responsible | | | | (ACPE) and pass the North American Pharmacist |
| for keeping accurate records of drugs | | | | Licensure Examination (NAPLEX). Furthermore, 43 |
| administered to patients. Many senior pharmacists | | | | states, including the District of Columbia, require |
| work as faculty members at academic institutions, | | | | candidates to pass the Multistate Pharmacy |
| where they teach, conduct research, and prepare | | | | Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE). Additionally, |
| students for graduation and licensure. | | | | candidates licensed in one state may need to pass |
| Many pharmacists find work with pharmaceutical | | | | a reexamination in another state. It is always |
| companies, where they can become involved in | | | | advisable to check the examination requirements |
| research and development. Other pharmacists | | | | of other states before applying for a licensing |
| work in marketing and sales, promoting their | | | | examination. |
| companies' products to doctors, hospitals, and | | | | Summary |
| allied health professionals. Other employers include | | | | Pharmacists should be practical and methodical and |
| government bodies and public healthcare services. | | | | should have scientific aptitude. They should also |
| Employment Opportunities | | | | have a strong desire to help others. Aspiring |
| In the United States, a significant number of | | | | pharmacists can conduct independent searches |
| pharmacists work part time. Most full-time | | | | online to find relevant educational institutions and |
| pharmacists work 40 hours per week with | | | | prospective employers in this field. |
| occasional overtime. However, many | | | | |