Pharmacist
Pharmacist Job Description
A pharmacist is a trained professional who dispenses medication that was prescribed by a healthcare professional. Pharmacists must be extremely knowledgeable about the medication they are dispensing, as they must offer accurate advice on its safe use. Pharmacists can be asked to write Drug Utilization reviews, displaying their expert knowledge and opinions of the medication and its effectiveness. A pharmacist may be called upon by patients to answer basic health question, and offer the best advice about which medications, equipment, or remedies would most efficiently ease their symptoms.
Some administrative duties are required of a pharmacist. For instance, it is the pharmacist’s responsibility to work with patients’ insurance companies so that he or she may receive the necessary medication. Keeping detailed records of all filled prescriptions and an accurate inventory of all the medications in the store are two vital duties of a pharmacist. Most pharmacists will have pharmacy technicians or interns working for them. Therefore, it is the pharmacist’s obligation to oversee all work completed by these individuals and assumes all responsibility for inaccuracies that occur. Finally, pharmacists have the responsibility to inform other healthcare practitioners of new or more accurate medication therapies to better treat their patients.
Pharmacist Salary Statistics as of 2015
Average annual salary for a Pharmacist is $109622 based on statistics in the U.S. as of 2015. The highest salary recorded was $132006. The lowest salary reported was $70527. These figures will vary on a state to state basis as these are averages across all 50 states.
Median hourly wage for a Pharmacist is $38.7 based on statistics in the U.S. as of 2015. The highest hourly rate recorded was $57.31. The lowest hourly rate recorded was $20.09. These figures will vary on a state to state basis as these are averages across all 50 states.
Bonuses for a Pharmacist are based on the years of experience using statistics from the U.S. as of 2015. The average bonus recorded was $982 from people with 15+ years of experience. The average bonus recorded was $218 from people with under 1 year of experience.
These are the highest paying states for a Pharmacist. These numbers are based of the median annual salary as of 2015.
California – $49,749 – $132,293
Florida – $57,325 – $123,456
Illinois – $30,913 – $125,990
Massachusetts – $55,924 – $129,178
New York – $49,933 – $122,850
Pennsylvania – $76,963 – $118,935
Texas – $60,403 – $127,563
These are the highest paying cities for a Pharmacist. These numbers are based of the median annual salary as of 2015.
Houston, Texas –
New York, New York –
Boston, Massachusetts –
Los Angeles, California –
Dallas, Texas –
Denver, Colorado –
Chicago, Illinois –
This chart outlines the average annual salary of a Pharmacist from the past 5 years. In 2015 the average annual salary was $109622 while in 2007 it was just $101661.52
Specialized fields
Most pharmacists are employed by various retail stores. However, some may choose to work in specialized fields. Below is a list of the different fields:
•Research pharmacists- Universities and pharmaceutical companies hire pharmacists to research and evaluate new medications. Along these same lines, pharmacists may choose, in specific cases, to deviate from the standard dosages given from pharmaceutical companies, and they create customized ingredients through a process called compounding.
•Clinical pharmacists- These individuals work in healthcare setting such as hospitals or private practices. Here, pharmacists work directly with patients. Most will follow a doctor as he or she goes on rounds and give advice on which medication to use. A clinical pharmacist will monitor a patient’s health and when and how they consume their medications.
•Consultant pharmacists- These pharmacists work directly with insurance companies and healthcare providers to come up with ways to make the pharmacy industry run more efficiently. Like a clinical pharmacists, they may work directly with patients to help them better manage their prescriptions.
Work Environment
As mentioned before, pharmacists can work in a range of settings such as retail stores, universities, pharmaceutical companies, private practices, or hospitals. However, in a majority of locations, they spend most of the workday standing. Although most pharmacists work full time, part time positions exist. In some settings where the store is opened at all hours, pharmacists may be required to work overnight shifts or weekends. The job requirements of a pharmacist are extensive, but typically technicians and interns will help facilitate the day’s tasks. Unless working directly with a patient, a pharmacist can count spending the workday in a pharmacy.
Requirements
Pharmacists are requires to complete at least a Pharm.D. program. This usually takes three to four years after the completions of two to three years of undergraduate prerequisite studies. Also, most programs require the applicant to pass the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT). For applicants seeking a position as a clinical or research pharmacist, they must complete a one to two year residency following their Pharm. D. A master’s degree can be useful for promotions or other employment opportunities.
In order to get a job, a pharmacy candidate who has completed their Pharm. D. must pass two licensing exams. One exam covers skills and general knowledge of pharmacy, and the other covers the laws of the licensing state regarding pharmaceuticals.
Job Outlook
Due to significant scientific advances in the drug industry and the large number of pharmacists reaching retirement, graduating pharmacists can expect positive employment prospects. Also, private practices, the offices of physicians, outpatient care centers, and nursing homes are starting to see the advantages of having their own pharmacists on staff. Overall, the prospects for new hires in the pharmacy industry are very high for the next few years.
Gender Statistics |
Related Jobs |
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53%
47%
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Based on our stats gathered across the U.S. 53% of Pharmacists were males while 47% were females. These numbers are based on averages across all states combined. Some individual states may have a much different ratio however.
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Past Jobs Pharmacy Intern |
Future Jobs Retail Pharmacist |
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