Why Choose a Career in Pharmacy?
Pharmacists distribute prescription drugs to customers, usually in a retail store setting. They also ensure that their customers understand proper use of prescriptions, as well as side effects and drug interactions. A career in pharmacy offers many advantages, including an excellent salary, an abundance of job opportunities and the satisfaction of helping people on a daily basis.
Significance
A career in pharmacy is a good one for individuals with excellent interpersonal skills who enjoy interacting with many different people. No two days are alike, and the pharmacist will encounter a wide variety of situations, including coronary patients taking many different types of medication, parents needing emergency antibiotics for a child and people buying insulin for their diabetic dog or cat.
Geography
Pharmacists work in clean, brightly-lit and climate-controlled areas. Most are employed in retail stores such as an independent or chain drugstore or a department store pharmacy. Some work a retail counter and also sell non-health-related items. Others work in hospital pharmacies, clinics, nursing homes or mental health institutions. Because of the high demand, pharmacists can choose to work in rural areas, small towns and metropolitan areas--anywhere that fits their preferred lifestyle.
Benefits
The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics sees an excellent job outlook for pharmacists through at least 2016 because of the aging population and an increasing emphasis on preventive care. Earnings are high, with the middle 50 percent of pharmacists in 2006 earning between $83,000 and $108,000 a year. Most positions are full-time and include health insurance, paid vacations and holidays and a 401(k) plan. Some part-time positions are available also, paying significantly higher than part-time work in almost any other field.
Features
Pharmacists have a satisfying job knowing they are helping a great many people with health care. Many are actively involved in monitoring the health and progress of their regular clients and ensuring the safe and effective use of prescriptions. Often they assist with over-the-counter questions regarding the best types of vitamins, painkillers, cold medicines and more. A career in pharmacy also involves continuous learning and professional development.
Potential
Promotional opportunities are good in chain stores. A pharmacist can become pharmacy supervisor or manager at the individual store, then move upward to the district or regional level and even to a position at company headquarters. Pharmacists working in hospitals also can advance to supervisory or management positions. With experience, pharmacists can manage or own their own drugstore, where they continue to fill prescriptions, supervise personnel and sometimes oversee the entire store operation. Those who choose to leave the retail sales field can find work in marketing and sales, research and development or manufacturing and quality control.
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