A Career in Pharmacy: Prescription for Success |
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November 15, 2005
by Kathy A. Johnson
kathy.johnson@healthcare-programs.com
Healthcare Programs Columnist
Due to increased pharmacy job openings, fewer pharmacy degrees, and an increasing demand for medications, the pharmacy job outlook is excellent.
Pharmacists dispense prescription drugs, give advice to patients, and occasionally compound drugs. They also advise doctors and other health care professionals about the selection, side effects, interactions, and proper dosages of medications. If they work in a drugstore pharmacy, they may also answer patients' questions about over-the-counter drugs.
Pharmacists should be detail-oriented, good communicators, and have a solid scientific understanding of drugs. Extensive education (including supervised internship under a licensed pharmacist) and licensing exams prepare those seeking a pharmacy career for the job's demands.
Education and Licensing
All states require that pharmacists be licensed. To obtain a license, students must graduate from a college of pharmacy accredited by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE) and pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX). In all states except California, they must also pass the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE). California has its own exam--the California Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam.
Alternative Pharmacy Jobs
In addition to pharmacies and hospitals, pharmacists may also work for managed-care organizations analyzing medication trends and patterns, or in sales and development for pharmaceutical companies. Another pharmacy career option is a medical education and communication company (MECC). MECCs produce educational material for physicians and other health care professionals. A pharmacist working for an MECC may do anything from writing articles for medical journals to serving as a clinical expert on a project team.
Pharmacy jobs pay well--the median wage in 2002 was $77,050. Hospital and pharmacy hours can be long, and include nights, weekends, and holidays. A pharmacy career requires a commitment to education and a significant investment of time. Still, many feel the rewarding work, good pay, and plentiful jobs add up to a prescription for success.
Source
www.bls.gov
About the Author:
Kathy A. Johnson has written articles on health, fitness, and many other topics in her career as a freelance writer and editor. She lives in Florida, and is the features editor of Forum, a bimonthly publication of the national mothers group, Mothers & More.
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