what is a pharmacist?
As a pharmacist, you handle prescriptions and guide customers on the proper use of medications. You fill prescriptions issued by healthcare professionals. If the medications are unavailable, you advise patients on alternatives and explain the possible side effects of the drugs.
Pharmacists typically work in chemist shops, dispensing prescription medication. You help customers choose over-the-counter medicines for minor ailments. You also answer health-related questions, from inquiries about various drugs to methods of use. Some pharmacists work in hospitals and research facilities. The career has evolved from a historical focus on the distribution of medicines to an emphasis on safe and rational drug use. You provide a pharmaceutical service that revolves around preventative health care and monitoring medication use.
The provision of pharmaceutical care relies on understanding the characteristics of medications, from dosage formulations to the dispersal of drugs in the body. It is also important to understand drugs' interactions with the human body to determine their effects.
Personal attributes necessary for pharmacists include compassion and genuine care for patients. You need accuracy to avoid administering the wrong medication.
Would working as a pharmacist suit your passion for helping people and keen attention to detail? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a pharmacist role.
pharmacist jobsaverage pharmacist salary
According to Job Bank, the average salary of a pharmacist in Canada is $95,656 per year. As a pharmacist, your earnings fluctuate based on your experience and where you work. The earnings are slightly lower in a junior-level position, with an annual starting salary of $76,214. As you improve your skills and experience or get promoted to a senior-level position, you receive a salary of $156,257 annually.
what factors affect the salary of a pharmacist?
When you have minimal experience, you start with a lower salary. As you gain valuable experience or complete additional certifications, you are likely to earn more. Your qualifications also influence your earnings. For instance, with a master's degree, you qualify for higher-paying jobs.
Additionally, the pay structure for pharmacists in healthcare facilities differs from community pharmacists in drugstores and chemist shops. Large companies can pay higher salaries due to the unlimited resources available. Besides, working in a large company presents additional responsibilities.
types of pharmacists
Some of the types of pharmacists include:
- community pharmacists: you work in chemist shops and pharmacy counters in larger shops. The job involves administering medications to patients based on their prescriptions. You also answer any questions they have about over-the-counter medication and explain the side effects. Sometimes, you provide primary care, such as administering flu jabs.
- clinical pharmacists: you work in hospitals and other healthcare settings to dispense medication and provide patient care. You go on rounds with doctors and healthcare teams. Your job is to recommend which drugs to administer to patients and oversee the dosage and delivery times of the medications. Clinical pharmacists also conduct some medical tests.
- academic pharmacists: you conduct research on medicines and publish articles on new types of drugs for various ailments. You also lecture trainee pharmacists and mentor them by supervising their practice.
working as a pharmacist
If you are passionate about medicine and helping patients, you will enjoy working as a pharmacist. Check out the specific tasks and work environments of pharmacists.
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what does a pharmacist do?
Some of the tasks of a pharmacist include:
- dispensing medicines: as a pharmacist, you receive prescriptions from doctors and administer medications to patients. You also dispense other drugs and advise patients on their prescriptions. For instance, you provide necessary information to help patients understand what their medications do and instruct them on how to take them properly.
- working with physicians: pharmacists review prescriptions from healthcare professionals and ensure there are no contraindications or allergic reactions with any other drugs that the patient takes. In a clinic or healthcare setting, you recommend medications to treat various conditions and discuss potential incompatibilities. You also supervise the administration and delivery times of the drugs to improve patients' well-being.
- maintaining inventory of the medications: when you work in a chemist's shop or a pharmacy counter, you maintain an inventory of the medicines. You record the medicines you dispense daily and ensure the shelves are stocked with essential drugs.
- advising patients on over-the-counter medications: you assist customers in finding the necessary drugs for minor ailments. Some pharmacists assist patients with immunizations, like giving flu jabs or other vaccinations.
- completing paperwork: as a pharmacist, you complete the paperwork after dispensing medications and keep track of the refill frequencies to ensure patients don't abuse drugs. You also manage payments for prescriptions when necessary.
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work environment of a pharmacist
Pharmacists spend a lot of time indoors, working in hospitals, retail stores or chemist shops. In hospitals, you work alongside other healthcare professionals and spend the day on your feet. When working at a chemist or pharmacy counter, you stand while serving customers but don't spend a long time on your feet. You are required to wear a lab coat when serving customers, as well as gloves and masks when examining patients or administering treatments. When you work in community health centres, you work outdoors during outreach programmes.
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who are your colleagues?
As a pharmacist, you work with various medical professionals, including doctors, registered nurses and pediatricians. When you work in hospitals, you interact with healthcare workers, but in retail pharmacies, you work with sales and marketing teams. For instance, you coordinate the sale of medicine with sales associates, sales representatives and sales managers. You also interact with logistics coordinators and procurement officers to stock the drugstore.
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pharmacist work schedule
The work schedule of a pharmacist depends on the employer. In hospitals, you are likely to work 12-hour shifts, like other healthcare professionals in full-time roles. However, pharmacists in retail stores and chemist shops work regular business hours unless it is a 24-hour drugstore. Community pharmacists work weekends and public holidays. Some employers also offer flexible working arrangements and part-time positions.
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career opportunities as a pharmacist
As a pharmacist, after completing the necessary training and professional certification requirements, you start your career in an entry-level position. You work under a licensed pharmacist to learn the trade, usually starting your career as a pharmacy assistant or pharmacy technician. There is a growing demand for pharmacists in Canada, with 16,100 new job openings expected to occur between 2022 and 2031.
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advantages of finding a job as a pharmacist through randstad
Working with Randstad offers you a range of benefits.
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
branch manager skills and education
The educational requirements for becoming a pharmacist in Canada include:
- university degree: the minimum requirement for becoming a pharmacist is to enrol in an undergraduate program in pharmacy. When you complete the program, consider pursuing a master's degree and completing the supervised practical training required.
- licensing and professional certification: pharmacy is a regulated career in Canada, and you require a license to practice. To get your professional certification, you should pass the examination from the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada. Even with the professional certification, you also require licensure from the province or territory you intend to work in. For instance, to work as a pharmacist in Newfoundland and Labrador, you must apply for a licence from the Newfoundland and Labrador Pharmacy Board.
competencies and characteristics of pharmacists
As a pharmacist, you require the following skills and personal attributes:
- accuracy: as a pharmacist, it is important to dispense proper medications for patients after reviewing their prescriptions. You also check their medical history to avoid potentially dangerous interactions. Attention to detail and a high level of accuracy help you provide patients with the correct medicines and appropriate methods of use.
- problem-solving skills: you assist patients in solving pharmaceutical challenges, such as identifying medication from damaged labels. Since you analyze how various medications interact with the human body, you help doctors find the best pharmaceutical solution. Problem-solving skills are useful in working out the best possible solutions.
- communication skills: you require exceptional communication skills to explain medical concepts to patients. Providing clear and concise information is important in ensuring patients don't misuse prescriptions.
- critical thinking skills: you handle complex medical situations that require you to think critically to help patients. Critical thinking skills help you find the ideal medicine for a patient based on the symptoms they present.
- computer proficiency: as a pharmacist, you use computer systems to perform various tasks, like sending insurance claims, retrieving prescription orders and printing instructions. Having computing skills and proficiency in pharmacy management software is crucial in your role.
FAQs
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a pharmacist.
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what are the duties of a pharmacist?
As a pharmacist, you dispense prescription medication to patients. You advise healthcare workers and doctors on the medicine selection, dosages and interactions. You are expected to explain the side effects of medications used to treat health problems. When administering medication to patients, you provide the necessary information and explain their uses to ensure the proper use of drugs.
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how many years does it take to become a pharmacist?
To become a pharmacist, you must complete a pharmacy degree program after finishing high school. The course takes four years, which includes three years of academic courses and one year of experiential learning. Some universities also require two years of initial study before the degree program.
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is pharmacy a good career?
Becoming a pharmacist is a good career in Canada. It is a stable and growing field with promising job opportunities. Aside from the growing demand, being a pharmacist allows you to help people with various medical conditions. It is also a lucrative career with promising earnings and potential for career growth as you gain experience and expand your skills.
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what skills does a pharmacist require?
While you need pharmaceutical knowledge to excel in your role, your personal attributes are also important. You require effective communication skills to convey clear instructions and explain relevant information to patients. Active listening skills give you insights into the patient's condition from the symptoms they explain. Being detail-oriented is also useful for managing prescription orders and administering medication.
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how much does a pharmacist make in Canada?
Your salary as a pharmacist in Canada depends on your experience and level of education. The average earnings of a pharmacist is $95,656 per year, which is equivalent to an hourly rate of $49.05. With minimal experience, you start with a salary of $76,214 annually, while experienced pharmacists take home over $156,257 yearly.
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how do I find a job as a pharmacist?
Finding a job near you as a pharmacist is easy. Search our job offers. Have you found what you're looking for? Then submit your application using the ‘Apply’ button top right on the page. No jobs available right now? Send us your resume and we'll pass it on to a recruiter who will contact you if an opportunity opens up for you.
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