Interested in a career as a hospital pharmacist? Look no further! This article will give you the main requirements, job duties, and tips and advice on how you can find a job as a hospital pharmacist. The article will also give you information about what you can expect for your salary.
To become a registered pharmacist, you will need to go to a pharmacy school that is accredited. The PCAT exam may be necessary to gain entry to a pharmacy school and most pharmacy schools are 4 years of education and includes internships. After graduation, you will need to take the NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination) and the law exam (usually MPJE or Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam) to get a license to practice pharmacy. After the entire process is complete, you will have a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree (Pharm. D.) along with a state license.
At the hospital, pharmacists work with healthcare professionals to provide medications and accurate dosages. Some even spend time visiting patients alongside doctors to recommend treatment options. The goal is to minimize side effects and cure the patients. Sometimes, a hospital pharmacist may also compound medications (creams and IV mixtures). Depending on the hospital, some pharmacists may also be required to counsel patients to ensure safe and effective medication management. A lot of pharmacists also supervise pharmacy technicians to complete all the tasks in a quick and efficient manner. Leadership abilities is a must for this job.
Pharmacists require experience before they can make their way into a hospital pharmacy. You should try to get an internship with a hospital while in school to get used to the hospital environment as well as get training in pharmacy before you apply for jobs. Networking with other pharmacists and health professionals will also give you a better chance at getting a job. In addition, it is helpful to go through a 2 year residency program after pharmacy school to make yourself more competitive in the job market.
The career outlook for hospital pharmacists is great. Many countries require pharmacists to dispense medications and the job is protected from recessions and downturns because it is part of the healthcare industry. Salaries are high and can exceed $50 per hour or over $100,000 per year.
Although it takes a lot of effort to become a hospital pharmacist, the career is rewarding and the end result is worth it.