Pharmacies generally employ two forms of professionals: Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians. While both are integral to a pharmacy’s performance, they represent two different approaches to careers in pharmacy. When deciding what career path is right for you personally, a lot of factors enter into play. In this informative article, we will outline these two careers in pharmacy so you may make the best choice!
Pharmacist- What’s It?
Pharmacists are healthcare professionals who are in charge of dispensing prescription medications to patients. Typically, a pharmacist will fill prescriptions, check interactions of a patient’s prescriptions, instruct patients on proper utilization of a medication, and oversee pharmacy technician, interns, and various other careers in pharmacy. Many pharmacists own or manage their very own pharmacy and are far more business minded. Some pharmacists benefit pharmaceutical manufacturers, and are active in the creation of new medications. The median annual wage of pharmacists is very good, punching in at $111,570 in May 2010, based on the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
How do I become a Pharmacist?
The road to becoming a pharmacist is unique- some graduate programs need a bachelor’s degree or four years of undergraduate experience, левитра купить в украине a Doctor of Pharmacy program requires as little as two, so long as the right prerequisites are met, such as courses in chemistry, anatomy, and biology (although some programs do need a bachelor’s degree). An entrance exam, known as the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT), is also required. Most programs can take about four years to perform, and graduates who want a more advanced pharmacist position will complete a one-two year residency program. Many pharmacists who go on to own their very own pharmacies will even acquire a master’s degree in operation administration (MBA). Graduates should also pass two exams detailing pharmacy skills and pharmacy law in order to attain a state license. While this process might seem long, it pays off with one of the very 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 works under the supervision of the pharmacist- if the consumer has questions about medications or health, the pharmacy technician will arrange for the consumer to consult with the pharmacist, as she or he is the more trained of the 2 careers in pharmacy. Technicians should have great customer care skills, organizational skills, and be detail oriented. The median annual wage of a pharmacy technician was $28,400 in May 2010, based on the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
How do I become a Pharmacy Technician?
Being a pharmacy technician provides the simpler process of the 2 careers in pharmacy. Each technician should have a high school diploma or equivalent and pass an examination or complete a formal training program, with respect to the state. Many pharmacy technicians will learn their skills on-site, however many will attend vocational schools or community colleges to perform programs in pharmacy technology. These programs detail arithmetic, pharmacy law and ethics, and record keeping. This path will allow for the quickest work straight out of high school for graduates pondering among the careers in pharmacy.