Pharmacist's Job Profile
The job of a pharmacist revolves around research and manufacture of various medications. This in turn, involves studying the chemical structure of various drugs, their origin, how they can be developed, and their effects on the human body as well as disease stricken cells. Pharmacists study how the medicine will benefit people and how the chemistry behind it works with the cells in a person's body. Within pharmacy, pharmacists can find their interest within various areas like hospital work, research work, marketing and sales work, and along these are required a specific set of skills in each. A pharmacist can work in various positions such as research, marketing and selling newly developed and approved medications, develop medications in pharmaceutical companies and much more. These positions are available in nursing homes, local pharmacies and hospitals.
Skills Required
As the field of pharmacy involves the scientific study of drugs and their structure, people who practice in the pharmaceutical field must have a scientifically oriented mind. The person should be geared toward studying medications and their effects on the human body and chemistry.
Pharmacists who are looking to enter the field of research must have a high level of knowledge in the pharmaceutical field and various drugs. A pharmacist should be methodical, responsible, sympathetic and caring with patients. Pharmacists must have excellent communication skills, even more so when in the marketing sector of the pharmaceutical field. Good pharmacists must also have efficient management skills as well as marketing skills.
Academic Qualifications and Training
Expertise in the field of science is mandatory to move to a higher position in the field of pharmacy. There are many courses that are available at graduate and post graduate levels as well as diplomas. The field of biotechnology has also been associated with the field of late. The duration of these courses varies from two years to four years.
Individuals who wish to pursue pharmaceutical research can opt for biotechnology after completion of undergraduate courses in pharmacy. Graduates who would like to gain experience can work with hospitals or pharmacy retailers. Postgraduates have the maximum numbers of choices. They can work in any of the areas of the pharmaceuticals field. A pharmacist must be licensed by the authority to ensure the safety and well being of people's health.
Job Prospects
Pharmacists can work as a hospital pharmacist, retail pharmacist, industrial pharmacist or research pharmacist. A hospital pharmacist works in a hospital setting. This type of pharmacist must keep a check on the stock and dispense of medicines apart from meeting patients and prescribing them the medicines and sharing with them the various affects of the medicines while keeping a track of the patient's drug intake history. Hospital pharmacists must keep track of all incoming medications and distributed medications. This type of pharmacist must also track patients' medication history. Information regarding the prescription is shared with patients. A retail pharmacist sells the prescribed medicine to customers. He or she also keeps a record of sales of medicines prescribed by doctors. A retail pharmacist also distributes over the counter medicines as well.
An industrial pharmacist is involved with research for developing new prescription as well as existing medications. They also manage and supervise the pharmaceutical production, storage and distribution processes.
A research pharmacist is involved only in research and studies related to the chemistry of various drugs, medicine and their affects. Those who opt for D. Pharm. are employed in pharmaceutical companies in lower positions. They are also able to find employment opportunities in pharmacies and medical shops Pharmacies and medical shops must employ a pharmacist to comply with the law.
Salary
A pharmacist can earn between $83,180 and $108,140 per year. Pharmacists in a retail store can earn approximately $92,291 per year as compared to $97,545 earned by a pharmacist working in an institutional setup. Fulltime pharmacists can earn up to $102,336 per year as compared to $55,589 earned by a part time pharmacist.
If we take a look around we will see that how pharmacists play a very important role in the very survival of mankind for it is they who develop various medicines that can cure the most frightening of illnesses man suffers from.
