Duties of a Pharmacist
These respected individuals have their place within the medical community. People possessing pharmacy degrees can work in hospitals, drug store pharmacies or within other areas where prescribed medications are distributed.
Degrees Required
The degree to work in this field needs to be from an accredited school. People applying to a pharm d degree will be subject to approval. It is often beneficial to complete a prerequisite course in pharmacology prior to applying for the degree program. This can give the student a bachelor or associate degree.
An accredited school will usually require the applicants to take a college admissions test for pharmacology. Applicants need to place well on the exam in order to be accepted into some of the better schools.
After the degree is obtained, the graduate needs to get a license before they can start working in this field. The license is issued upon passing the licensure exam.
Careers for Pharmacists
There are several opportunities for employment in this field. Many large retail chains now have in-store pharmacies which employ licensed pharmacists. This person fills the prescriptions brought in by customers in a retail setting. A hospital also employs this person in their on site pharmacy. In this setting, the pharmacist will dispense medications to patients as well as indicate any special instructions or interactions the drug may have. Similar to a Pharmacy Degree, a degree in Medication Therapy Management can also put you on the right track for a more advanced career in the field of pharmaceuticals.
Expected Salaries
What a pharmacist gets paid depends a lot on what type of setting they are employed in and where it is located. The average starting salary for this profession is between eighty and one hundred and forty thousand dollars a year. For individuals interested in art education, an art education masters degree could be a great option. They are designed for the artist teacher, so that an individual can continue to teach while completing the program.