| are pharmacy jobs? Where are these jobs available? | | | | services sections. |
| How do you qualify for these jobs? This article seeks | | | | 6. Community and consultant pharmacies are other |
| to answer these questions. In the USA, there are more | | | | agencies that need pharmacists. |
| pharmacy jobs than qualified pharmacists. It is thus a | | | | The demand for pharmacists exceeds supply in the |
| good career option. | | | | USA. |
| Pharmacy Jobs | | | | How Do You Qualify as a Pharmacist? |
| Medicines can be prepared and dispensed only by | | | | Pharmacy is the science that deals with collection, |
| qualified pharmacists. In olden times, they used to mix | | | | preparation and standardization of drugs. |
| drug products from measured raw materials according | | | | As a preliminary for your course in pharmacy, you |
| to doctor's prescriptions. These days, they dispense | | | | need to attend college level classes in such subjects |
| pre-measured tablets and capsules produced by | | | | as chemistry, biology, physics and mathematics, for |
| pharmaceutical companies. They also advise patients | | | | about two years. You might also have to pass a |
| on the use of prescription and over the counter | | | | Pharmacy Colleges Admissions Test. |
| medicines. | | | | You then have to complete a 6-year (or 5 year) |
| In addition to technical knowledge about the required | | | | Pharm D. (or B.S.) curriculum prescribed by an |
| purity and dosages of many medicinal products, | | | | accredited college of pharmacy. Internship under a |
| pharmacists also require the human touch and ethical | | | | qualified pharmacist and passing a state examination |
| sense to deal with customers in a trust-building manner. | | | | are other typical requirements before you become a |
| Pharmacists find jobs in numerous settings, such as | | | | licensed pharmacist. |
| retail pharmacy outlets, hospitals & clinics, | | | | Continuing education is a typical requirement to renew |
| healthcare facilities, drug research and development, | | | | the license. |
| pharmaceutical sales and marketing, government | | | | The skills in pharmacy practice include not only |
| agencies and universities. | | | | dispensing prescriptions but also communicating with |
| Pharmacists work as pharmacy managers, clinical | | | | patients and healthcare professionals. (You need to |
| pharmacists, IV pharmacists, retail pharmacists and in | | | | acquire the skill to read doctors' handwritings!) They |
| other roles. | | | | also include understanding the responsibilities of |
| Who Employ Pharmacists? | | | | professional ethics. |
| Some of the major employers of pharmacists are | | | | Other important skills include the management of a |
| listed below. | | | | pharmacy practice, and consulting with other |
| 1. Retail (and Internet) pharmacies need pharmacists | | | | healthcare professionals. |
| and pharmacy managers. | | | | Availability of Pharmacy Jobs |
| 2. Pharmaceutical companies need pharmacists for | | | | As you would have begun to appreciate by now, |
| drug research & development, and for sales and | | | | pharmacists are trained professionals providing an |
| marketing. | | | | essential service in healthcare. They are in high |
| 3. Hospitals, clinics and healthcare facilities need | | | | demand by many agencies and this situation is likely to |
| pharmacists to oversee the formulation, storage and | | | | continue. |
| dispensing of medicines at their facilities. | | | | In fact, all the pharmacy jobs are not being filled now |
| 4. Government agencies and home care facilities also | | | | for want for qualified pharmacists. A career in |
| need the services of pharmacists. | | | | pharmacy is thus a promising career. |
| 5. Armed services need pharmacists in their medical | | | | |