A Career as a Pharmacist

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The flow of the medical community is dependent on every person employed there. The harmony it creates does not only come from the doctors or nurses, but the janitors, surgeons, receptionists, and even the pharmacists. Each job is necessary in order for the hospitals to function properly; for instance, the doctors diagnose the patient with their illness, prescribe them medication to cure it, and send them to the pharmacist, who then gives them their medication and sends them home. However, some jobs are overlooked more than others and do not receive the proper credit, like the pharmacist. Pharmacists are recognized for dispensing and sorting drugs, but their jobs help educate patients over their prescription and uphold the balance in the medical community.

When young adults are challenged to pick a career, particularly in the medical field, most do not think of becoming a pharmacist. This low key career started with apothecaries, people who used botany and chemistry to help cure people. Unfortunately, their practice helped cure little to no patients, but as technology advanced, they abandoned their botany based methods and began to work with physicians. Thus, the pharmacist was created and continues to help heal the sick today. A pharmacist is “an expert in the use of medicines and drugs” (McAlpine 52) and uses their knowledge to create medications according to the doctors’ instructions. However, the job description of a pharmacist is increasing and it is not uncommon to find a patient directly talking to a pharmacist about their prescription. Pharmacists now inform patients on the proper usage of the medication and its side effects (52). Patients can bypass their physician, if they have any questions or concerns abou...

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Works Cited

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. “Pharmacist.” Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition. 17 Dec. 2009. 21 Nov. 2011. .

Carpenter, Rachel. “Pros and Cons of Being A Pharmacist.” Associated Content by Yahoo.

01 Oct. 2010. 22 Nov. 2011. .

Gable, Fred. Opportunities in Pharmacy Careers. New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies, 2004. (33-41, 63-65).

Hart, Alison. “Top Skills You Need To Be A Pharmacist.” USA Today. 19 Nov. 2002. 21 Nov. 2011. .

McAlpine, Margaret. Working in Health Care. Milwaukee: Garth Stevens Publishing, 2005.

(52-55).

Yuping Yen. Personal Interview. 28 Nov. 2011.

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