Pharmacy jobs offer several benefits, including a stable work schedule, the opportunity to provide superior customer service and impact public health, and the chance to make a difference in people’s lives.
Pharmacists work in various settings, including retail pharmacies, hospitals, long-term care facilities, pharmaceutical companies, and health systems. While the duties and responsibilities vary depending on the position and employer, pharmacists in all settings are responsible for ensuring that patients receive safe, effective medications by:
• Prescribing medications based on a patient’s medical history, condition, and other factors.
• Disposing of expired medications.
• Educating patients and others on the proper use of medications.
• Monitoring a patient’s response to a medication.
• Documenting each interaction with a patient in a medication record.
Pharmacy jobs also offer employees flexibility, as many employers offer part-time and full-time positions that allow pharmacists to balance their professional life with other commitments. Many positions also include healthcare coverage, paid to time off, and other benefits that may appeal to workers looking for steady employment in the healthcare field.
19 Pharmacy Jobs Offer the Best Career Opportunities
1. Pharmacists/ Staff Pharmacists
Pharmacy jobs vary regarding their level of responsibility, but working as a pharmacist or staff pharmacist is the most common position in the field. Pharmacists in this role are responsible for performing, supervising, and directing a pharmaceutical intermediate-level role. They work directly with patients and healthcare professionals, who have labeled them “key players” in the healthcare system.
2. Pharmacy Clerk
Pharmacy clerks work in one of the largest departments of a drugstore and act as the primary frontline contact with customers. They also have the opportunity to advance to other roles within the store. Because of their proximity to customers, the work environment of a pharmacy clerk may not be as fast-paced or high-energy as other positions.
3. Manager: Retail Pharmacy
In retail pharmacies, managers and supervisors play a pivotal role in the store’s running and patient care. Managers and supervisors receive constant feedback from patients regarding their experiences at the pharmacy and offer suggestions for improvements. They also provide leadership in setting specifications and policies for employees within their department.
4. Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy technicians in this role make most of their profit by selling products and services to customers, so they must be able to communicate effectively and multitask while managing cash register receipts and other duties. Retail pharmacies generally offer more opportunities for advancement for technicians than more regulated hospitals.
5. Manager: Mail Order Pharmacy
It is not uncommon for mail-order pharmacy managers to travel frequently due to the nature of their work, but some manage all of their business from home. Managers in this role are responsible for acquiring, storing, and distributing medications to patients based on orders from physicians. They typically coordinate with insurance companies and pharmacies to ensure that customers receive the correct medication.
6. Clinical Pharmacists
Clinical pharmacists are involved in the care of patients and healthcare professionals. They work in hospitals, health systems, clinical laboratories, and other medical facilities. Most clinical pharmacists also receive specialized training in pharmaceutical compounding (creating brand-name medications for special patient needs) as well as drug use compliance monitoring (ensuring that patients take their prescribed medications).
7. Pharmacy Dispenser
A pharmacy dispenser has the most contact with patients and prescriptions of any pharmacist, often spending the entire day on their feet filling out prescriptions. Pharmacy dispensers also receive a great deal of training to dispose of unused medications or expired drugs properly. They also review nursing assessments, communicate with healthcare professionals, and ensure that patients receive their prescribed medications.
8. Night Pharmacists
Night pharmacists typically work nights, weekends, and holidays. They are required to work independently on tasks such as filling prescriptions, delivering medications, and managing inventory. Night pharmacists also must stay up to date with continuing education classes to comply with state laws.
9. Ambulatory Care Pharmacist
The duties of an ambulatory care pharmacist vary greatly depending on their employer, clientele, and location. On average, however, they provide medication counseling and monitoring for patients in clinics or medical facilities that require daily or weekly visits. They also complete patient drug histories for patients who don’t want to fill their prescriptions at a pharmacy, as well as medications for patients who are discharged from a hospital.
10. Pharmacy Residents
A pharmacy resident is a pharmacist who has received a doctor of pharmacy degree but is still training at an accredited hospital, medical center, or pharmacy. In this position, they work directly under the supervision of a licensed pharmacist. Their duties vary greatly by employer and location but generally include observing and participating in patient care activities performed by other pharmacists.
11. Pharmacists as Providers
Pharmacists who practice independently can also function as providers, providing medication to patients and caregivers at home. While pharmacists do not have licensure in some states, they are required by the NAPLEX Pharmacy Technician examination to treat patients with severe pain.
12. Community Pharmacists
Community pharmacists provide medication for limited medical needs, such as immunizations and influenza. They may also educate patients about the correct use of medicines in various environments, such as shopping centers and pharmacies, for those independently working as community pharmacists.
13. Pharmacy Manager
A pharmacy manager ensures that a retail pharmacy’s overall operation runs smoothly. They are often responsible for allocating human resources to each department, overseeing production and inventory management, and receiving employee feedback about patient satisfaction.
14. Pharmacy Specialist
There are many different specialties within the profession of pharmacy. Each specialty requires additional education and training in the area, such as compounding, providing medication to geriatric patients, managing chronic medications, and other health concerns. Some of these specialty areas include:
15. Health Outcomes Pharmacist
A health outcomes pharmacist is a pharmacist who reduces the prevalence of disease and mortality by providing multidrug management. They play a crucial role in reducing expenditures on expensive drugs by optimizing the use of generics to improve patient health outcomes.
16. Pharmacologist
A pharmacologist is a pharmacist who researches how drugs work, what they do, and why they do it. They typically work in laboratories, where they administer, observe, and document results. Most pharmacologists are also researchers and teachers at the same time.
17. Director of Pharmacy
A director of a pharmacy is a pharmacist who supervises the day-to-day operations of a pharmaceutical facility. They ensure the facility complies with state and federal laws and regulations and oversee the hiring and training of staff members.
18. Health System Pharmacist
A health system pharmacist is a pharmacist who specializes in providing medication and services to patients in a hospital setting. They typically manage and maintain drug inventories and dispensing systems, ensure drug compatibility within the hospital and participate in clinical research.
19. Long-term Care Pharmacists
A long-term care pharmacist is a pharmacist who specializes in providing medication and services to patients who are elderly or are severely physically or mentally disabled. They typically manage drug inventories, dispense medications and provide counseling on the correct use.
Conclusion:
A pharmacist is a professional who prepares prescription medications and dispenses them to patients taking prescribed medications. When a person obtains the proper education, they can move up through the pharmacy ranks and become a pharmacist, owner, and supervisor. A pharmacist can go on to be a specialist or professor at a college or university.
Pharmacists receive training in many different areas, including pharmaceutical terms, pharmaceutical science, pharmacology, therapeutics, and pharmacy law.
