Job Description: Pharmacist

A Pharmacist does much more than just count out pills to put in prescription bottles.

 

A typical course of education for a pharmacist begins with a Bachelors Degree: 2 years of generals and then 2 years of classes such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy & Physiology, and pharmaceutical practices.


The doctorate degree includes education in laws involved with pharmacy practice, dosage, health management, and equipment used on the job. The schooling will then include a residency program lasting one to two years, similar to a medical doctor.


Education must take place at a school accredited by the Accreditation Council of Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE), and must pass the NAPLEX (Board certification exam) to obtain a license to practice as a pharmacist.

Here are some responsibilities of a pharmacist:

 

• Noting allergies:Does the patient have a reaction to a drug? What can be substituted?
• Filling prescriptions on a timely basis
• Knowledge of insurance coverage: there are many insurance companies to deal with, including people using Medicare or Medicaid or assistance with their prescriptions: What's covered, and the amount covered?
• Advising patients about their medications
• Staying up-do-date on new medications
• Being aware of any problems with medications such as recalls
• Knowledge of chronic illnesses and their medications, such as diabetes or heart disease

• Communicating with medical professionals such as doctors or nurse practitioners
• Knowing when two drugs cannot be taken together, catching that mistake, and suggesting a different combination, possibly to the physician
• Instructing patients how to take their medications: Does orange juice make it less powerful? Can you take it on an empty stomach, or not?
• Understanding how the drugs are going to work to combat a condition
• Warning patients of side effects
• Knowledge about over the counter  (not prescription) treatments

More details on the coursework:  http://study.com/pharmacist_education.html

 Here is a link to the University of MN's Pharmacy program:  https://www.pharmacy.umn.edu/
University of North Dakota:  https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/north-dakota-state-university-200332
University of Wisconsin-Madison  (scroll down)  https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/university-of-wisconsin-madison-240444