Pharmacist

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Work Tasks

• Fill prescriptions for drugs and medications
• Give information to patients about how to use the drug and any possible side effects
• Mix ingredients to form powders, tablets, capsules, ointments, and solutions when they are not already mixed by drug companies
• Keep inventory and order drugs when supplies are low
• Work for pharmacies, hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, pharmacy wholesalers, mail-order pharmacies, the federal government, and schools
• Work with prescription and non-prescription medicines, measuring devices, patient records, computers, drug information software, medical journals, inventory, order forms, data, tablet counting equipment, sterile products, lab equipment, and personnel records

Salary, Size & Growth

• $110,000 average per year ($53.00 per hour)
• A large occupation (268,000 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (1.7% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree
• Employers Prefer: Experience working under a licensed pharmacist
• Skills/Courses: College courses include math, chemistry, biology, physics, and courses in the humanities and social sciences. After 2 years of college, you can apply to a Pharm.D. degree program, which takes at least 4 more years.
• Licensing/Certification: A Ph.D. and license is required to practice pharmacy.