Friday, June 12, 2015

Pharmacist Career Information

What is a pharmacist?
According to the American Heritage® Dictionary, a pharmacist is a person trained in pharmacy or a druggist.
What is pharmacy?
According to Britannica Encyclopedia Concise, pharmacy is the science dealing with collection, preparation, and standardization of drugs. Pharmacists, who must earn a qualifying degree, prepare and dispense prescribed medications. They formerly mixed and measured drug products from raw materials according to doctors' prescriptions, and are still responsible for formulating, storing, and providing correct dosages of medicines, now usually produced by pharmaceutical companies as pre-measured tablets or capsules. They also advise patients on the use of both prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Laws regulating the pharmaceutical industry are based on the national pharmacopoeia (in the U.S., the U.S. Pharmacopoeia or USP), which outlines the purity and dosages of numerous medicinal products.

Where do pharmacists work?
Pharmacists work in a number of different settings to include: retail, hospitals, clinics, home health care facilities, home infusion facilities, long-term care facilities, managed care facilities, Armed Services, mail service, internet companies, public health service, veterans administration, local, state, and federal government, association management, community pharmacy, consultant pharmacy, pharmaceutical sales and marketing, drug research and development, managed care, universities and numerous other settings.

Why pharmacy as a career?
Pharmacists are considered one of the most visible and one of the most accessible health care professionals in the world. Every day, millions of Americans walk into drug stores and depend on pharmacists for assistance and advice for their health care needs. Pharmacists are trusted to help you with some of your most personal concerns and are trusted to help you. Pharmacists are regarded as one of the most trusted professions in the world. Pharmacy has always been an exciting and rewarding career, but has recently become on the most pursued fields in the health care industry.

What do pharmacists do?
On a daily basis, many pharmacists dispense medications to patients in accordance with doctor's orders and consult patients on medication usage and contraindications. Pharmacists communicate directly with physicians in order to correctly deliver medications. Many pharmacists consult patients on over the counter medications and provide information on home health care supplies and various other health care products. Many pharmacists manage and controlling the environment of the store or facility. Some pharmacies provide services that are not related to health care, such as mail and package delivery, key cutting, soda fountains, deli's, and movie rentals. Many pharmacies provide specialized services associated with your traditional corner drug store pharmacy. Pharmacist can provide specialized services according to the specific area they are specialized. Some pharmacists specialize in psychiatric disorders, intravenous nutrition support, oncology, nuclear pharmacy, and pharmacotherapy.
 
Is pharmacy easy?
Even though pharmacist have rewarding careers, pharmacy is not easy work. Many pharmacists spend a vast majority of the day on their feet. Many work with chemotherapy medications and other semi dangerous products. Pharmacists may be asked to work a variety of shifts, including mornings and nights 365 days a year. Taking care of patients that are sick does not start at 8 and end at 5.