Becoming a Pharmacist: Getting the Necessary Training

For those who are thinking about being a pharmacist, then you need to ready yourself to undertake the rigorous training needed to be equipped for the position and setting of a pharmacist. In general, a pharmacist's main job would be to dispense medications for patients with prescriptions written by a doctor. At some point, pharmacists also compounded the prescription drugs, but that is far less common now in the days of big drug companies.

Even though providing patients prescription medication is a major function of this position, counseling them is a major duty as well. Pharmacists notify patients about side effects, safety concerns, and also catch potential drug interactions with medicines they're currently taking. In addition they consult with doctors and other medical experts to assist in providing the best drug therapy available. Keeping track of the effectiveness and progress connected with drug therapy regimens are also typical of the tasks of the pharmacist.

The biggest piece of becoming a pharmacist in the U.S. is to earn your doctorate of pharmacy from an accredited college. This particular degree program usually takes about four years to complete, but once completed you will be very familiar with drug therapies. Ethics, public health, communication and business management are other topics that will be discussed.

However before getting your doctorate of pharmacy, you've got to be sure to prepare yourself with advanced science courses, and also humanities courses; postsecondary studies can be very helpful here. The Pharm.D is probably not the program for you if you want to concentrate on clinical and research pharmacy; in this situation, go after the Ph.D or the Master of Science degrees. Those that pursue these avenues routinely work in a research facility or a university.

Additionally, there are a few exams that have to be taken, which will differ based on state. The standard exam required in the United States is called the NAPLEX. Other states also require the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam.

The former examination examines knowledge and skills, and the second one is focused on law. But before you think about the examinations, be aware that you have practical experience in a pharmacy setting you will need to get first. There are also proof of age and background checks required for pharmacists also.

Then you can determine which of the two common places pharmacists work is ideal for you:

- Health care facility (ex. hospital)

Hand out medicines. Offer help on medications to health care practitioners relating to choosing medications, how to best use them, as well as issues of safety. Create intravenous solutions. Every so often, a pharmacist's area of specialization is utilized. Prior to discharge, give advice to individuals.

- Community (ex. Drugstore)

Give advice on devices in addition to medical tools for home healthcare. Give prescribed medication to patients. Pharmacists also counsel people on their dietary management, exercise, lifestyle, and managing stress. Paperwork. Responsible for supervising staff as well as all round operation. Vaccine administration is a part of your job.

Pharmacists are enjoying big job growth rates and job security, so those people considering the career field are lucky. This is a profitable career field where the average earning is over $100,000.Considering the aging population as well as the increasing complexity of prescribed drugs and therapies, the demand for pharmacists will most definitely grow.