| The new year will be ushering in a new president and | | | | placing graduates in their own teaching hospitals or |
| his cabinet, and what seems to be new agenda for | | | | finding them placement in the immediate area. |
| health care. The US Department of Labor has | | | | We found specialty sites like Pharmacy Postings to be |
| predicted that there will be a greater need in | | | | easy to use. The site works with accredited |
| employment of pharmacists during the next five to | | | | employers to connect them with pharmacists, students |
| seven years. This demand is predicated by the aging | | | | and technicians. Jobs are posted nationwide, and the |
| baby boomer population, their need for healthcare, and | | | | site features a "quick apply" system to connect |
| their increase in prescription medication. | | | | potential employees resumes directly to the employer. |
| With this increased need and what is a hopeful | | | | The website also features tools to help job seekers |
| restructuring of our current healthcare predicament, | | | | write their resumes, as well as tips on interviewing, as |
| there will be a necessity for more employees trained in | | | | well as potential interview questions and answers. It |
| pharmaceuticals and disease management. Along with | | | | offers a customized job search so that seekers can |
| the aging population comes the notion that jobs will | | | | narrow their results by type of job or region. |
| also be opening due to retirement vacancies. Not only | | | | Employers can post their jobs with confidence |
| is the local drug store looking for qualified individuals, but | | | | knowing that the site will work with them to create the |
| long term care facilities, hospitals, pharmaceutical | | | | best listing for them. |
| companies, and state regulatory commissions. | | | | The website also features a section with links to |
| As recent as November 2008, it has been noted that | | | | pharmacy schools, associations, and state boards in |
| up to 8% of pharmacist jobs are vacant. Many | | | | order to provide complete information to those |
| companies are offering incentives and signing bonuses | | | | interested in the field. Programs are at least two years |
| to attract new employees. Flex time has become | | | | undergraduate work, followed by four years of |
| negotiable as another enticement. Even with a | | | | professional study resulting in a PharmD degree. |
| struggling economy and some patients forgoing | | | | According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the |
| treatments to save money, the forecast is positive as | | | | average salary is close to $100,000 for a full time |
| the long term demand will continue. According to the | | | | position. The position is not without its risks, as the |
| American Association of College of Pharmacy, | | | | pharmacist must know the chemistry of drugs, how |
| enrollments are up as new schools have opened with | | | | they interact with other drugs, as well as correct |
| the increased demand. Many medical schools are | | | | dosages and patient advice. |