Pharmacist

When an MD prescribes medication, it is the pharmacist who dispenses it. They also provide patients with instructions for the medications they'll be using. They also educate the patient in using their medication safely and effectively. Pharmacists typically are not self employed and work in drugstores, healthcare facilities, hospitals, nursing homes, or mental health institutions. Record-keeping is an important aspect of the pharmacist’s practice.

An interest and aptitude for science, attention to detail, conscientiousness and decision-making are attributes a pharmacist must possess. Any would-be pharmacist must be people-oriented and compassionate, and have exemplary attention to detail.

Education and Credentials Required
All fifty US states require pharmacists to be licensed. One must graduate from a school accredited by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE) and pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX) and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE), except in California, as they have their own test. Most states don’t require re-examination to maintain licenses, but do require ongoing education. Many pharmacists practice in multiple states.

There are about 85 accredited pharmacy colleges that grant the degree of Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.). One must attend six years of postsecondary study and complete the licensing exam. Applicants to about half of all pharmacy colleges must take the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT).

Future Prospects
Employment opportunities for pharmacists are expected to outpace the average. This is due to a growing elderly population with increased need for medication. Supply is not expected to keep up with demand, making prospects outstanding for new graduates of pharmacy college.

Salary Range
The median salary, as of 2002, for pharmacists was $77,050. Self-employed Pharmacists can expect to earn significantly more than salaried Pharmacists. Experience, location, skill, reputation, hours worked and other factors impact income. Pharmacists are rarely self-employed and can expect health and retirement benefits.