A Career as a Pharmacist

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Pharmacists have very important roles in healthcare from all angles. Physicians and licensed practitioners that write a written prescription, the pharmacist reviews patient history, health conditions, and interactions with the new medication prescribed. As a pharmacy technician (for six years) I had a somewhat of an overview on what they accomplished in a shift but did not know everything on what I know now from this research. Pharmacy students that are in the process to obtain their doctor of pharmacy (D.Pharm.) go through a series of training, education and internship to become a well-rounded pharmacist.

In the beginning they must have skills in reading comprehension, active listening, critical thinking and speaking. The education and training to become a pharmacists requires 2 to 3 year of undergraduate and for the D. Pharm. program is 4 years. In their last year of study they must practice under a licensed pharmacist (like an internship) graduate from and accredited college and pass the pharmacy knowledge exam known as the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT). Although they have an option after completion for D.Pharm, several colleges offer an award Ph.D. degrees. Ph. D degrees give them the opportunity to work in laboratories and further research experiments. After graduation and passing the PCAT to obtain their license, the new licensed pharmacist has endless responsibilities.

Most states, especially Louisiana, has a ratio 3:1; three licensed technicians, two licensed technicians and one permitted technician or two licensed technicians and one pharmacy student intern to one licensed pharmacists. Pharmacists can work in hospitals, retail pharmacies, independent pharmacies, clinics or Health Management Organization...

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...nd consultation on line 4. Although I would be very good at it since my boss and several others told me to go for it just the doubt in my mind that says no, but still have some time before making this final decision after completing my main courses before going into a field of study.

Works Cited

“Website.” Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Pharmacists, 29 Nov. 2013.Web. 29 Nov. 2013.

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacists.htm

“Website.” CDM Career Zone Copyright 2008 Career Planning Associates, Inc. 29 Nov. 2013. Web. 29 Nov. 2013 http://www.cdmcareerzone.com/profile/29-1051.00

“Website.” 2002 Prentice Hall | a division of Pearson Education, plc. Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458 29 Nov. 2013.Web. 29 Nov. 2013. http://www.prenhall.com/success/MajorExp/MEDmajors.html

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