Pharmacist

Pharmacists Dispense Prescription Medications To Patients And Offer Expertise In The Safe Use Of Prescriptions. They Also May Provide Advice On How To Lead A Healthy Lifestyle, Conduct Health And Wellness Screenings, Provide Immunizations, And Oversee The Medications Given To Patients.

Some Pharmacists Who Own Their Pharmacy Or Manage A Chain Pharmacy Spend Time On Business Activities, Such As Inventory Management. Pharmacists Must Also Take Continuing Education Courses Throughout Their Career To Keep Up With The Latest Advances In Pharmacological Science.

With Most Drugs, Pharmacists Use Standard Dosages From Pharmaceutical Companies. However, Some Pharmacists Create Customized Medications By Mixing Ingredients Themselves, A Process Known As Compounding.

The Following Are Examples Of Types Of Pharmacists:

Clinical Pharmacists Work In Hospitals, Clinics, And Other Healthcare Settings. They Spend Little Time Dispensing Prescriptions. Instead, They Are Involved In Direct Patient Care. Clinical Pharmacists May Go On Rounds In A Hospital With A Physician Or Healthcare Team. They Recommend Medications To Give To Patients And Oversee The Dosage And Timing Of The Delivery Of Those Medications. They May Also Conduct Some Medical Tests And Offer Advice To Patients. For Example, Pharmacists Working In A Diabetes Clinic May Counsel Patients On How And When To Take Medications, Suggest Healthy Food Choices, And Monitor Patients’ Blood Sugar.

Community Pharmacists Work In Retail Stores Such As Chain Drug Stores Or Independently Owned Pharmacies. They Dispense Medications To Patients And Answer Any Questions That Patients May Have About Prescriptions, Over-the-counter Medications, Or Any Health Concerns That The Patient May Have. They May Also Provide Some Primary Care Services Such As Giving Flu Shots.

Consultant Pharmacists Advise Healthcare Facilities Or Insurance Providers On Patient Medication Use Or Improving Pharmacy Services. They Also May Give Advice Directly To Patients, Such As Helping Seniors Manage Their Prescriptions.

Pharmaceutical Industry Pharmacists Work In Areas Such As Marketing, Sales, Or Research And Development. They May Design Or Conduct Clinical Drug Trials And Help To Develop New Drugs. They Also May Help To Establish Safety Regulations And Ensure Quality Control For Drugs.