Duties of a Pharmacist why become a Pharmacist what does a Pharmacist do
Not many people realize the duties and responsibilities that a pharmacist performs everyday. Going to your local pharmacy is one of the most routine trips in day to day life, but have you ever wondered who the people are that fill your prescriptions? A pharmacist is a specialist with years of training who is an expert regarding drugs, a teacher to the public at large, and the one who assures that drug mistakes do not happen.
Knowledge of Medication
Knowledge of medications is absolutely vital for a pharmacist. The job of this clinician is to be the ultimate expert on everything about drugs from street dugs to over the counter supplements. Medications number in the thousands and require a specialized knowledge of their own. Most pharmacists know far more about drugs than physicians and so work in close association with all of the healthcare team to ensure favorable patient outcomes.
Pharmacists also have to keep track of the newest drugs on the market and have the ability to answer questions regarding them as well. The pharmacists never stops learning about medication and requires the attention to detail that such life saving knowledge requires.
Dispensing of Medication
Pharmacists are responsible for acting on a doctor's prescription and dispensing the medication ordered. They will check the medication against the patient's other medications to ensure there will be no adverse interactive effects. In addition, they check the dose and frequency to confirm that it is the right order for the patient's health, age, and body weight. Pharmacists also have a duty to correctly and accurately dispense of medications after safety is established. They check to be sure the right drug is dispensed, and that it is given to the right patient in the right dosage. Pharmacists check that the right amount of the drug is dispensed, and that the patient receives the right self administering instructions. They are also capable of compounding and mixing drugs for a wide range of applications as prescribed by the physician.
Teaching about Medication
Pharmacists not only dispense medication, but they also teach the general public about drugs and advise them on safe use. This is probably the single most important responsibility of the pharmacist. If they cannot educate the healthcare staff and the general public about medications, there is serious risk that drugs will be misused. A pharmacist explains to the patient when to take the medications and how they must be taken, i.e. with or without food, at bedtime, etc. They inform the patient what side effects to watch out for and when to call the doctor should those side effects become life threatening. Pharmacists advise doctors regarding what medications to prescribe and in what dosage, in addition to being a resource for nurses regarding the properties of safe medication administration. Pharmacists are a vital part of the multidisciplinary care team and are responsible for teaching all who come in contact with medications.
How to become a pharmacist
Becoming a pharmacist is a long and arduous task, comparable to becoming a medical doctor. Training starts in high school with a focus on chemistry and other lab sciences in addition to standards such as advanced mathematics and English. College students will take the required general education courses in addition to biology, chemistry, calculus, and speech. Usually after two years of general study, a student can be admitted into a pharmacy program to earn their doctorate of Pharmacy or PharmD. To be admitted into pharmacy school, a personal interview, letter of reference, and a GPA of at least 3.0 are typically required. A good score on the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) is also needed to attend most pharmacy schools. Pharmacists earn on average between $80,000 - $100,000 per year. Check the link at the end of this article for a comprehensive list of salaries. After graduation, pharmacists can work in drug stores, hospitals, drug corporations, research labs, and any other place drugs and medicines have a prominent role. They are the protection against drug harm and advocate for wellness that protect the patient from the harmful and potentially fatal use of drugs.
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