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