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, plenty of factors enter into play. In this article, we will outline those two careers in pharmacy so you possibly can make the best choice!
Pharmacist- What’s It?
Pharmacists are healthcare professionals that 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 use of a medication, and oversee pharmacy technician, interns, and several other careers in pharmacy. Many pharmacists own or manage their own pharmacy and tend to be more business minded. Some pharmacists work for pharmaceutical manufacturers, and are active in the creation левитра of new medications. The median annual wage of pharmacists is excellent, punching in at $111,570 in May 2010, based on the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Just how do I develop into a Pharmacist?
The way to becoming a pharmacist is unique- while most graduate programs demand a bachelor’s degree or four years of undergraduate experience, a Doctor of Pharmacy program requires less than two, as long as the appropriate 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 be required. Most programs will require about four years to complete, and graduates who would like a more advanced pharmacist position will complete a one-two year residency program. Many pharmacists who continue to own their own pharmacies will also acquire a master’s degree in operation administration (MBA). Graduates should also pass two exams detailing pharmacy skills and pharmacy law to be able to attain circumstances license. While this technique may appear long, it pays off with one of the very 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 speak with the pharmacist, as she or he is the more trained of the two 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.
Just how do I develop into a Pharmacy Technician?
Being a pharmacy technician offers the simpler process of the two careers in pharmacy. Each technician should have a high school diploma or equivalent and pass an exam or complete a conventional training program, with regards to the state. Many pharmacy technicians will learn their skills on-site, but some will attend vocational schools or community colleges to complete 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 one of many careers in pharmacy.