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In the United
States, those individuals that engage in careers in pharmacies are
considered to be the leading experts regarding medicine. This makes the
opportunity for acquiring a job in pharmacology very accessible for many
individuals. This career is considered to be one of the fastest growing
careers in the industry of healthcare. In this article, you will be
introduced to careers in pharmacies.
Today, many different types of doctors make a diagnosis on the many ailments
that people and animals may experience. One of the steps that can help
humans and animals recover from the ailments that they experience is by
participating in prescription therapy. Numerous healthcare professionals
write prescriptions. These include general doctors, pediatricians,
psychiatrists, optometrists, dentists, and even veterinarians. The pharmacy
is the location where the prescriptions, or drug orders, are filled and then
dispensed to the proper individuals.
In a pharmacy,
you will normally find two types of jobs. That of the pharmacist and that of
the pharmacy technician. You may also find pharmacy assistants or sales
associates in the pharmacy as well. These individuals must take the
prescription, decipher the handwriting on it, make an overall interpretation
of the prescription, select the medication from the stock, count out or
measure the prescription, and make an appropriate label for the medication.
In addition to the above task, the patient must receive counseling on the
medications that they are going to be ingesting. It is also the duty of the
individuals who have careers in pharmacies to maintain the records of the
customers. Insurance information must also be gathered, confirmed,
documented, and recorded so that the companies may pay their share of an
individuals cost that are associated with medications. This profession can
be quite stressful due to the laws and liabilities that are dealt with. This
is why careers in pharmacies require an individual to be properly educated.
Pharmacists
Pharmacists are considered to be the "drug information specialists". These
are the most highly trained individuals in the pharmacy. While pharmacy
technicians and assistants may have the same basic understanding as a
pharmacist on many things, the pharmacist is the one with the official
educational background and certification to accurately perform their duties
within the state that they practice. These individuals verify the
prescriptions that are filled prior to being given to the patient. There are
also responsible for discussing the medication with the patients.
In addition to the above information, a pharmacist may find that they are in
a position where they must offer advice to doctors and other professionals
on certain kinds of medications. Some of these individuals have the ability
to write prescriptions. However, the ability to perform this task is
directly related to what the laws outline in regards to the specific area in
which that pharmacist works.
Individuals who are interested in acquiring the ability to become a
pharmacist must attend college. Those that attend college for four to five
years are issued a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy. Once this is acquired,
an R.Ph will be added to the end of the name of the individual. There is
also a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree that many choose to obtain in the field.
These can be obtained once the BS degree is obtained. Individuals may elect
to simply enter an add on program that enriches their current degree.
The following classes outline the coursework that pharmacists are generally
subjected to when acquiring a degree in pharmacology:
1. Writing
2. Sociology
3. History
4. Ethics
5. Communications
6. Psychology
7. Advanced Math Courses
8. Biology
9. Chemistry
10. Medications and Drug Courses
11. Pharmacology Machinery
12. Pharmacological Calculations
This particular job pays an average of $50,000.00 - $175,000.00 annually,
depending on the size of the area in which the individual works, the demand,
and the educational background achieved in the areas related to the
profession.
Pharmacy Technicians
Pharmacy technicians play a very important role in pharmacies in the United
States and Canada. These individuals normally work to greet the customers
that visit the pharmacy and answer telephone calls. It is very common for
the pharmacy technician to deal with customers, insurance companies, and
doctors directly. They assist in the filling and dispensing process within
the pharmacy as well. Operating computers, understanding the technical
aspects of the inner workings of the pharmacy and dealing with
pharmacological calculations and measurements is a common task.
A certification is normally required to become a pharmacy technician. The
most common classes for an individual in this career include:
1. Regulations for Drug Development
2. Drug Manufacturers
3. Medical Terminology
4. Pharmaceutical Calculations
5. Dosages forms and Administration
6. Prescriptions
7. Pharmaceutical Dispensing
8. Anatomy and Physiology
9. Basic Chemistry of Drug Molecules
10. Over-The-Counter Drugs
11. Package Inserts
12. Drug Emergencies
The average pharmacy technician can receive their education in less than two
years time. The average pay rate for this position ranges from $12.00 -
$18.00 per hour depending on the location of the pharmacy and the demand for
certified pharmacy technicians.
Pharmaceutical Companies
Biogen Idec - Canada
Amgen - Canada
MedImmune - Canada
Chiron Corporation - Canada
Millennium Pharmaceuticals - Canada
Johnson & Johnson - United States
Pfizer - United States
Abbott Laboratories - United States
Wyeth - United States
Proctor & Gamble - United States |
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