AboutBarbara Judge Expertise Outpatient pharmacy and general health. I have recently completed a Pharmceutical Care Certificate Program offered by Purdue University (Spring 1999 completion). I have personal experience dealing with terminally ill persons and their needs, as well as their families` needs. I graduated in 1984 from Pharmacy School and have been a Licensed Pharmacist since then. I have 18 years retail pharmacy experience. Prior to my pharmacy training I have 3 years hospital experience as a Nurse`s Aide.
Question My name is Tony Chen. I am doing the “Spotlight a Science Career” project about pharmacists for my 8th grade class. I would like to ask a few questions about pharmacists.
1. What tasks are performed in a typical workday?
2. What education is required to be a pharmacist?
3. What experience is required?
4. What kind of equipment do you use?
5. What are the work hours and pay ranges for pharmacists?
6. What is the work environment like (are there hostile patients, frustrated patients, etc.)?
7. What benefits do you get as a pharmacist?
8. What types of companies typically employ pharmacists?
9. What does the future look like for pharmacists?
10. What are the main responsibilities of a pharmacist?
11. What safety precautions must be taken?
12. How many days do you have off every year? Sick days? Vacations?
Answer 1. In a typical workday I fill prescriptions, counsel patients on the proper use of prescription and over the counter medications, contact doctors for various reasons such as prescription refills or prescription clarifications, and contact insurance companies to help patients with insurance issues.
2. A minimum of 6 years of college is required before you are eligible to take the licensing exam to become a pharmacist.
3. Experience requirements vary by state. Most are included in your college career. In most pharmacy programs there is 1 year of clinical rotations in the last year (the 6th year) of pharmacy school.
4. The computer and a balance (scale) are the most commonly used pieces of equipment.
5. Work hours vary greatly since there are pharmacies that are open 24 hours a day that must be staffed with a pharmacist. Pay ranges from $85,000 to $125,000 per year depending on where you live, your exact job title and responsibilities.
6. The work environment is like most any work environment..it is what you make of it. There will always be difficult days, difficult situations, and difficult people. As long as you focus on the positive interactions and not the difficult ones you will enjoy your work.
7. I work for a major grocery chain so we have very comprehensive benefits including medical/dental insurance, retirement, stock options, a self funded 401k in addition to company paid retirement, vacation, and an employee discount.
8. The 2 largest groups of employers are hospitals and retail pharmacies. In addition to that some pharmacists also review drug orders for nursing homes, work for mail order pharmacies, work for drug companies, and work in manufacturing or pharmaceuticals.
9. Unless there is a major change in the laws governing the dispensing of drugs the future of pharmacy is excellent. This year was the first year pharmacist could administer flu shots and take on an additional clinical role in the community.
10. The main responsitilities of a pharmacist are to insure that patients understand how to correctly take their medication and make sure they have the best possible outcome when taking medications.
11. ???unsure of question
12. I have 6 weeks paid vacation. Sick days are not limited unless you need to take an extended leave of absence. A medical leave of absence is determined by your doctor at the time of illness or hospitalization.
