AboutMary E Scott, RPh, CGP Expertise I am a certified geriatric pharmacist with over 23 years experience as a long-term care consultant to nursing homes. I also do community-based consulting on an individual basis. My facility-based monthly newsletter on pharmacy topics is read by nurses in over 200 long-term care facilities in 5 states.
Experience I received a BS in Pharmacy in 1980 with post-graduate work in public health. I have had a Consultant Pharmacist license since 1984.
Organizations American Society of Consultant Pharmacists .I received certification in geriatric pharmacy in 1998.
Question Hello, I am a student at Los Amigos High School. My Chemistry teacher assigned my fellow classmates and myself a career project in which we choose a field in science and research it. I choose Pharmacy and I would like to know if you could answer a few questions for me. First off, how is science integrated into pharmacy? Also, what do you look for when hiring people? What is your salary? How is your average week? And what is your overall opinion on your carer? It would help me so much if you could answer these questions for me. Thank you.
Answer Hi,Marquez!
I would be happy to answer some questions about pharmacy. Several of the sciences are integrated into pharmacy. You need a working knowledge of biology, anatomy and physiology,as well as extensive knowledge of chemistry (inorganic as well as organic).Math is also very important.
I look for consciencious, detail-oriented people with working knowledge of computers,able to get along with others, and have good communication skills.
Just as there are different positions in pharmacy, there are different salaries. Pharmacists work in retail stores, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, industry, and education, so there is a wide range of salaries. I would say a median salary for a retail pharamcist would be $80,000/yr.
I work as a consultant pharmacist for several nursing homes.I work about 20hrs/wk and I make my own schedule during weekday hours.I evaluate the medication regimen of all residents at least monthly, making recommendations to the nursing staff and physicians. I also make sure state regulations on medication administration are being followed by the nursing home to avoid problems with state surveyors, and regularly inservice the nursing staff on new drugs, drug interactions, med pass administration, etc. I also consult for 2 hospice organizations.
I have been a pharmacist for 20 yrs and still love it. It is challenging, but I always feel as if I am learning something. There has been a shortage of pharmacists since before I graduated and, due to the aging of the baby-boomer generation, will probably continue for some time to come. It is a career which is constantly changing and allows you to feel like you are contributing in a good way to people's lives. Hope this helps, and feel free to e-mail me again if you have more questions and I can clarify something. Mary
