PHARMACIST

Specialties: Pharmacologists.

What does a Pharmacist do?

  • Pharmacists prepare, compound, and dispense medicines prescribed by Doctors, Veterinarians, and Dentists.
  • They advise customers or patients on the use and interaction of medicines and over-the-counter products.
  • They also advise Doctors, Veterinarians, and other prescribers on the proper selection and effect of drugs.
  • They may also maintain patient-medication profiles, buy and sell non pharmaceutical supplies, and hire and supervise personnel.
  • Some specialize in pure research.
  • Pharmacists learn to recognize and classify hundreds of medicines, many of which are new, and must know how to prepare others.

Salary and Employment Outlook:

EDD Labor Market Information

Occupational Outlook Handbook

Career Info Net

Typical Employers:

Pharmacists work for the pharmacy departments of hospitals, medical clinics and retail stores. A large number are self-employed and some work for research laboratories and in the military.

Preparation:

Pharmacists must be a graduate of a program at a school accredited by the American Council of Pharmaceutical Education. There are undergraduate and graduate level professional programs in Pharmacy. Some schools offer only the graduate-level program. You can get education and experience in the military. Most schools require pre-Pharmacy curriculum emphasizing Mathematics and basic sciences, such as Chemistry, Biology, and Physics, but also include courses in the Humanities and Social Sciences. Pre- Pharmacy students should inquire about curriculum requirements to individual colleges because entry requirements vary.

Educational Program(s):

  • Pharmacy
  • Related Program: Chemistry

    Web Resources:

    EDD Labor Market Information

    Occupational Outlook Handbook

    ONet Online

    Career Info Net

    Career Center

    CollegeBoard.com

    National Association of Chain Drugstores

    American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy

    National Association of Boards of Pharmacy

     

     

    Career Center Home Page | Career Info Sheets

    Diablo Valley College Career/Technical Education Homepage