How to Become a Pharmacist

Pharmacy combines science, healthcare, technology, and business to offer unique opportunities in disease recognition, treatment and emergency response. As a pharmacist, you can make an impact on the quality of patient care, improve medication safety and efficacy, and help patients make informed health choices. Pharmacy is also an exciting profession for those who are interested in working with people, are analytical, and have a strong interest in health and wellness.

The first step to becoming a licensed pharmacist is completing a bachelor’s degree in the sciences. Most colleges of pharmacy require a minimum of five years of study. Courses include chemistry, biology, pharmacology, physics, and more. Most states also require a background check and drug testing before licensing.

Once licensed, you can work in hospitals, pharmacies and other health care settings to provide services to patients. Your responsibilities may include verifying prescriptions, making sure new medications are safe and effective, explaining how to take your medicines correctly, and providing counseling on topics related to healthy living. Other duties include dispensing medicine, delivering vaccinations, and consulting with doctors and nurses to improve medication management for patients.

Some pharmacists choose to specialize in certain areas of practice. For example, an ambulatory care pharmacist can focus on helping patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Others prefer to work in community settings, and focus on helping patients with common conditions such as colds and allergies.

The field of pharmacy is a rapidly growing one, and many job opportunities are available in hospital, retail, and home-based practices. The demand for pharmacists is especially great in rural areas, where there are fewer health care providers.

Depending on your specialty, you will have different job responsibilities and training requirements. Many employers want to hire pharmacists with a bachelor’s degree in the sciences, and a master’s degree in pharmacology. You will also need to pass a licensing exam. This exam will test your knowledge of the laws and regulations in your state.

There are also several non-traditional ways to become a pharmacist, including via online and on-the-job learning. These programs are generally shorter than traditional pharmacy degrees, and some of them can be completed entirely online. The benefits of this type of training include a faster path to employment and a more flexible schedule for those who need it. Many students find that these programs are less expensive and have an excellent return on investment.

Pharmacy combines science, healthcare, technology, and business to offer unique opportunities in disease recognition, treatment and emergency response. As a pharmacist, you can make an impact on the quality of patient care, improve medication safety and efficacy, and help patients make informed health choices. Pharmacy is also an exciting profession for those who are interested in working with people, are analytical, and have a strong interest in health and wellness. The first step to becoming a licensed pharmacist is completing a bachelor’s degree in the sciences. Most colleges of pharmacy require a minimum of five years of study. Courses include chemistry, biology, pharmacology, physics, and more. Most states also require a background check and drug testing before licensing. Once licensed, you can work in hospitals, pharmacies and other health care settings to provide services to patients. Your responsibilities may include verifying prescriptions, making sure new medications are safe and effective, explaining how to take your medicines correctly, and providing counseling on topics related to healthy living. Other duties include dispensing medicine, delivering vaccinations, and consulting with doctors and nurses to improve medication management for patients. Some pharmacists choose to specialize in certain areas of practice. For example, an ambulatory care pharmacist can focus on helping patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Others prefer to work in community settings, and focus on helping patients with common conditions such as colds and allergies. The field of pharmacy is a rapidly growing one, and many job opportunities are available in hospital, retail, and home-based practices. The demand for pharmacists is especially great in rural areas, where there are fewer health care providers. Depending on your specialty, you will have different job responsibilities and training requirements. Many employers want to hire pharmacists with a bachelor’s degree in the sciences, and a master’s degree in pharmacology. You will also need to pass a licensing exam. This exam will test your knowledge of the laws and regulations in your state. There are also several non-traditional ways to become a pharmacist, including via online and on-the-job learning. These programs are generally shorter than traditional pharmacy degrees, and some of them can be completed entirely online. The benefits of this type of training include a faster path to employment and a more flexible schedule for those who need it. Many students find that these programs are less expensive and have an excellent return on investment.