WHAT IS A PHARMACIST? 

Before jumping into what a pharmacist is, let us first discuss what pharmacy means. Pharmacy is the clinical health science that links medical science with chemistry and is conducted with the discovery, production, disposal, safe and effective use, control of medications and drugs. 

Pharmacists are healthcare professionals who specialize in the right way to use, store and preserve medicines. They are also known as either chemists or druggists. They can guide you on using medications and let you know about your intake’s potential adverse effects. 

Pharmacists are further responsible for a variety of other tasks as well. They are answerable for the number of medicines supplied to patients, ensuring that the supply of various medications is kept within the vicinity of the law and advising the proper prescription or drugs to their patients. 

To become a pharmacist, you must be aware of the steps to become a pharmacist. Hence, we shall be reviewing this article and understand those crucial steps. 

HOW TO BECOME A PHARMACIST? 

Being a pharmacist is quite a trustworthy and hectic job. You are not only responsible for the medicine intake but its origins as well. Pharmacists also contribute to the research and testing of new drugs. Though most medical students need four years to complete their respective courses, it usually takes eight years of college study to earn a pharmacy degree.  

We have minimized the steps into basic five-pointers that will give helpful information.

• You must complete a bachelor’s degree in a healthcare field or pre-pharmacy program, which almost takes about two years to complete and is an associate’s degree. 
• Complete a doctorate-level pharmacy degree. This progressive level of education shall equip you with the understanding you need for biology and chemistry. 
• Gain first-hand experience by practicing your skills in a pharmacy, clinic, or hospital. As they say, it is the experience that counts.  
• Pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX). This exam is compulsory to acquire a pharmacist license. Specifically, if you desire to settle in the US, this is a must-have part of your career.  
• Complete licensing in the state you wish to work in or your home state. Even though licensing will require practice hours that vary from state to state, once national and state licensing is complete, you’ll finally be able to operate as a pharmacist.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF PHARMACIES, AND WHERE DO THEY WORK? 

Pharmacists are usually based in clinics, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies. Thus, as a pharmacist, you can function in the following types of pharmacies. Some of them are mentioned as; 

1. Community Pharmacies– consists of a retail storefront and a dispensary where medications are stored and dispensed. 
2. Hospital Pharmacies- some of them have more complex clinical management issues and differ from community pharmacies. 
3. Clinical Pharmacies– collaborate with physicians and other healthcare professionals to improve pharmaceutical care. 
4. Ambulatory Care Pharmacies- are based on pharmacotherapy services provided in a clinic. It is a unique pharmacy practice setting. 
5. Compounding Pharmacies/Industrial Pharmacies- consists of preparing drugs in forms different from the generic prescription standard. 
6. Consultant Pharmacies- this practice focuses more on medication regimen review than on the actual dispensing of drugs. 

WHAT JOBS CAN YOU DO AS A PHARMACIST? 

As a pharmacist, there are jobs that you can acquire based on your experience and qualifications. The jobs stated below are some of the most basic ones to help you get started. 

1. Pharmacy Clerk; has many responsibilities, including film prescription for customers, completing cash register transactions, and updating the patient’s records. 
2. Pharmacy Assistant; helps the pharmacy management with regular administrative tasks like preparing invoices, preparing audits, and ordering office supplies. 
3. Pharmacy Technician; works in a hospital or clinic pharmacy under a licensed pharmacist. They aid in managing the workstation, keeping the shelves clean, well-stocked, and in order. 
4. Pharmacist; has in-depth knowledge about pharmaceutical products and their appropriate usage. They also maintain medical and patient records. 

Do you want to be a successful pharmacist but don’t have any bright ideas where to start? Don’t worry! You can explore different career options with a pharmacy degree and pick one that suits you. 

CONCLUSION: 

Being a pharmacist is a responsible and demanding job. If you have what it takes, don’t hesitate to give it a shot and work hard. We assume that this blog post gave you an understanding of what a pharmacist is and how they operate.