Embarking on a career as a pharmacist offers a unique blend of healthcare expertise and
patient-centered care. Each day, pharmacists work to ensure medication safety, effectively
communicate with patients, and provide essential medication counseling.
If you’re curious about becoming a pharmacist, you should know that they do much more than
hand off medications and verify insurance coverage. A pharmacy career also doesn’t confine
you to working in retail settings alone. In fact, pharmacists engage in a combination of
administrative, technical, and people-centered tasks, and are found within the following exciting
career paths:
- Academic Pharmacists
- Ambulatory Care Pharmacists
- Clinical Pharmacists
- Consultant Pharmacists
- Hospital Pharmacists
- Industrial Pharmacists
Before you begin working towards this career, consider these five key elements of becoming a pharmacist. These crucial factors allow you to better weigh each aspect of this demanding — yet rewarding — healthcare career.
1. What Pharmacists Really Do: Roles and Responsibilities
The answer to the question “what does a pharmacist do?” might surprise you. That’s because
pharmacists carry out tasks beyond just managing medications and communicating with patients.
In their day-to-day work, pharmacists may perform a diverse range of duties such as conducting quality assurance, overseeing pharmacy operations, optimizing patient medication dosages, communicating drug interactions to colleagues, and/or participating in clinical trials for a new medication brand.
2. Educational Requirements for Pharmacists
Regardless of the type of pharmacist you want to become, you need to earn a minimum of a
Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) to serve as a licensed pharmacist.
However, your education is one portion of the larger picture, meaning you’ll also need to gain hands-on experience, pass the North American Pharmacist Examination (NAPLEX), and take state-specific licensing exams. While the specific requirements for becoming a pharmacist vary from state to state, the general path is the same:
- Complete prerequisite coursework in areas such as math and science.
- Gain optional hands-on experience in the healthcare field. While enrolled as an undergraduate or transitioning to a graduate program, you should take on an internship, volunteer, or shadow a licensed pharmacist to bolster your chances of being admitted to a PharmD program.
- Earn your Doctor of Pharmacy degree. This postgraduate degree generally takes four years to complete; however, some accelerated PharmD programs allow you to graduate in as little as three years.
- Enroll in a residency. While optional, residency programs can make or break your pharmacy career as they provide you with networking opportunities, advanced clinical training, and preparation for certifications beyond your PharmD program.
- Study and pass the NAPLEX. This is a six-hour exam delivered in a computerized form. It covers several major areas of pharmacy practice, which are divided into six sections.
- Apply for state licensure in the state where you intend to practice. Prepare to provide information such as your transcripts, relevant exam scores, and additional documentation.
- Maintain licensure. Your state’s board of pharmacy mandates that you periodically renew your relevant pharmacist licenses. This typically involves enrolling in continuing education (CE) credits or hours.
3. Skills and Traits of a Successful Pharmacist
Early on, you should familiarize yourself with the essential skills and traits required to thrive in this healthcare field. While you don’t have to have these qualities, developing them can significantly benefit your career. Take a look at the most common characteristics pharmacists need to succeed:
- Ability to Multitask
- Cable of Keeping Calm Under Stress
- Capacity to Manage
- Eagerness for Continuous Learning
- Exceptional Communication Skills
- Keen Attention to Detail
- Math Skills
- Science Skills
- Solid Organizational Skills
- Strong Ethical Judgment
It’s vital to remember that if you’re just starting in a PharmD program or still deciding which one
to choose, don’t get discouraged by the requirements. Advancements in science continually
evolve the pharmacy field, requiring licensed pharmacists—just like new students—to constantly
brush up on their skills. Try to build on your strengths and bear in mind that a strong thirst for
learning can get you far in your career.
4. You’ll Engage in Dynamic Work
Pharmacists, especially those in retail settings, are constantly on the move checking inventory,
filling prescriptions, interacting with customers, and leading teams. It’s a dynamic profession that
keeps you occupied throughout your shift.
Some retail pharmacists might also work weekend shifts to meet the diverse healthcare needs
of their community — which can mean responding to an uptick in influenza variants or the rapid
onset of seasonal allergies brought on by weather changes.
Because populations depend on these healthcare professionals, pharmacists stay both mentally
sharp and physically fit. A career as a pharmacist is a perfect match for individuals who thrive in
an active role.
5. Lifestyle Considerations for a Pharmacist Career
If you already understand the educational requirements for becoming a pharmacist, now is the time to reflect on how the profession’s demands might align with your personal commitments and lifestyle. Assess factors such as job prospects, evolving work environments, work-life balance, and ongoing education needs to determine if pursuing this health career is right for you.
For example, weigh the rewards against the sacrifices you may need to make. Could attending all of your classes full-time and in-person pose challenges? If so, a hybrid PharmD program may be the right fit for you.
For additional insight, review the WCU PharmD career guide.
Prepare for a Fulfilling Career Through WCU’s PharmD Program
Your time is important, so choose a career that aligns with your strengths and passions.
If you’re looking to become a pharmacist, West Coast University’s hybrid Doctor of Pharmacy program can be completed in as little as 33 months, offering you the flexibility needed for success in your busy life.
The WCU School of Pharmacy is located at the Center for Graduate Studies in the heart of Los Angeles. Enroll in a program that helps ensure that you gain the hands-on experience you need to become a skilled and confident pharmacist!
WCU provides career guidance and assistance but cannot guarantee employment. The views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs or position of the school or of any instructor or student.
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