Pharmacist

💡What they do

Pharmacists provide medication to patients. They advise healthcare workers on the dosage and side effects of medications to treat health problems. They overall care for patients by providing them with medications/drugs such as immunizations. In addition they administer vaccines and work with insurance companies to resolve health billing issues. They also hold accurate records for medicine that has been filled to create the best health outcome for patients.

🏢Work environment

Pharmacists work with physician assistants and nurse practitioners.They spend most of the work day standing and are sometimes released to harmful substances so they have to wear lab coats. Some pharmacies stay open 24 hours so they sometimes have to work days,nights and holidays.

🎓How to become one

Usually people are required to have a(Pharm.D) Doctor of Pharmacy which requires at least 2 years of undergraduate study in topics such as physics,statistics and psychology. Some programs also require a bachelor's degree in biology or other science/healthcare related fields. Overall a (Pharm.D) takes 3-4 years to finish or takes a 6 year high school medical program. Then pharmacists will need to do 2 years of residency and get certified and meet the state regulations.

🌟Skills you’ll need

• Prepare and dispense medications accurately according to doctors’ prescriptions
• Review patients’ medical histories
• allergies
• and current medications to prevent harmful drug interactions
• Explain to patients how to take their medications correctly
• including possible side effects and proper storage
• Provide immunizations
• such as influenza vaccines
• Offer guidance on overall health and wellness topics
• including lifestyle habits and appropriate medical supplies
• Communicate with insurance providers to address and resolve payment or coverage concerns
• Oversee and support the duties of pharmacy technicians and pharmacy interns
• Keep detailed and up-to-date records for patients and pharmacy operations
• Train and inform other healthcare professionals on appropriate medication treatments

☀️A day in the life

Day in life of these specific pharmacists: Community pharmacists work in retail settings such as drug stores and owned pharmacies to dispense over the counter medicines Clinical pharmacists they work in hospitals and clinics to make recommendations of medicines to patients and oversee dosage Consultant pharmacists work with insurance providers on patient medication medication use and help improve clinics to make sure they meet state regulations/standards