What are the Different Pharmacist Jobs?

There are several different pharmacist jobs available to those looking for a meaningful career in the health services field. With the appropriate level of education and training, one can find work as a pharmacist in retail settings, hospitals, universities, or research institutions. New opportunities for pharmacist jobs are constantly being created due to an expanding global population and the resulting need for new medications and drug therapies.

Retail pharmacists typically work in drug stores and grocery stores. Their primary task is to fill prescription orders, though they also play a vital role in patient care by providing information and advice to customers. Retail pharmacists must be very knowledgeable about a wide range of both prescription and over-the-counter medications, so that they can answer customers' questions and recommend appropriate products to treat various illnesses and ailments. Retail pharmacists often work long hours, which can include overnight shifts, weekends, and holidays.

Clinical pharmacists in hospitals, health clinics, and nursing homes often work directly with doctors to determine which medications are appropriate for specific patients. They counsel doctors and patients about different types of drugs and treatment plans available. After drugs are administered, they monitor patient reactions and, when necessary, formulate long-term medication regimens. In order to provide the best possible care to patients, many clinical pharmacists specialize in certain areas, such as cardiac health, cancer medicine, psychiatric medicine, or geriatrics. Clinical pharmacists often work long shifts, including nights and weekends, and may be placed on-call to deal with emergency situations.

Many research universities and pharmaceutical companies provide alternatives to clinical and retail pharmacist jobs. They frequently employ pharmacists to research new drugs and treatments before they are made widely available to the public. Research pharmacists study the chemical composition of existing drugs and experiment with new compounds to develop potentially marketable medications. In addition, some are put in charge of organizing and conducting clinical trials to test the effectiveness of new medicines. Research pharmacists typically work long but steady hours.

To be eligible for pharmacist jobs in any setting, a person must graduate from an accredited pharmacy school, often complete several hundred hours of practical training, and pass a series of licensing exams. Once licensing is obtained, many people find that pharmacist jobs are readily available. There is an ever-expanding need for qualified people to research, test, distribute, and monitor new medicines and treatments. More pharmacists are needed to ensure that a growing number of people will have access to quality care.