Education and training
- Complete high school with strong science and mathematics courses.
- Complete prerequisite college coursework.
- Earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree.
- Complete required clinical experiences.
- Obtain licensure through the appropriate examinations.
Responsibilities
- Review prescriptions for safety and accuracy.
- Dispense medications.
- Explain how medications should be taken.
- Identify possible medication interactions.
- Provide health and medication counseling.
- Collaborate with physicians and other healthcare professionals.
Skills needed
Attention to detailKnowledge of chemistry and biologyCommunicationOrganizationProblem-solvingPatient education
Career growth
Pharmacists can specialize in areas such as hospital pharmacy, oncology, infectious diseases, pediatrics, or clinical pharmacy. Other paths include research, pharmaceutical industry, academia, and healthcare administration.
A typical day
A pharmacist may review prescriptions, answer patient questions, counsel patients, communicate with healthcare teams, manage medications, and monitor patients for medication-related concerns.
Where can you work?
- Community pharmacies
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Research institutions
- Universities