Pharmacies generally employ two forms of professionals: Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians. While both are integral to a pharmacy’s performance, they represent two completely different approaches to careers in pharmacy. When deciding what career path is right for you, a lot of factors enter into play. In this information, we will outline both of these careers in pharmacy so you can make the best choice!
Pharmacist- What’s It?
Pharmacists are healthcare professionals who are responsible for dispensing prescription medications to patients. Typically, a pharmacist will fill prescriptions, check interactions of a patient’s prescriptions, instruct patients on proper usage of a medication, левитра в украине цена and oversee pharmacy technician, interns, and some other careers in pharmacy. Many pharmacists own or manage their own pharmacy and are more business minded. Some pharmacists benefit pharmaceutical manufacturers, and are involved in the creation of new medications. The median annual wage of pharmacists is great, punching in at $111,570 in May 2010, in line with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
How can I develop into a Pharmacist?
The way to learning to be a pharmacist is unique- some graduate programs demand a bachelor’s degree or four years of undergraduate experience, a Doctor of Pharmacy program requires less than two, provided that the right prerequisites are met, such as courses in chemistry, anatomy, and biology (although some programs do demand a bachelor’s degree). An entrance exam, known as the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT), can also be required. Most programs can take about four years to accomplish, and graduates who desire a more complex pharmacist position will complete a one-two year residency program. Many pharmacists who continue to possess their own pharmacies may also acquire a master’s degree running a business administration (MBA). Graduates must pass two exams detailing pharmacy skills and pharmacy law in order to attain a state license. While this process may seem long, it takes care of with one of the most rewarding careers in pharmacy.
Pharmacy Technician- What’s It?
Pharmacy (or pharmaceutical) technicians help pharmacists dispense prescription medications to patients. They’ll usually be the people measuring out prescriptions, compounding medications like ointments, packaging and labeling pharmaceuticals, and performing routine tasks like answering phones and filling forms. The pharmacy technician will work beneath the supervision of the pharmacist- if the customer has questions about medications or health, the pharmacy technician will arrange for the customer to talk with the pharmacist, as he or she may be the more trained of the two careers in pharmacy. Technicians must have great customer support skills, organizational skills, and be detail oriented. The median annual wage of a pharmacy technician was $28,400 in May 2010, in line with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
How can I develop into a Pharmacy Technician?
Learning to be a pharmacy technician supplies the simpler procedure for the two careers in pharmacy. Each technician must have a senior school diploma or equivalent and pass an examination or complete a proper training program, with regards to the state. Many pharmacy technicians will learn their skills on-site, however many will attend vocational schools or community colleges to accomplish programs in pharmacy technology. These programs detail arithmetic, pharmacy law and ethics, and record keeping. This path allows for the quickest work straight out of senior school for graduates pondering one of many careers in pharmacy.