Pharmacists :: Job Description

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Pharmacists

Careers / Pharmacists

Summary Description


	Dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use. May advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosage, interactions, and side effects of medications.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Apothecary

2.	Clinical Pharmacist

3.	Doctor of Pharmacy

4.	Druggist

5.	Hospital Pharmacist

6.	Industrial Pharmacist

7.	Outpatient Pharmacy Manager

8.	Pharmacist

9.	Pharmacist Apprentice

10.	Pharmacist in Charge (PIC)

11.	Pharmacy Consultant

12.	Pharmacy Informaticist

13.	Pharmacy Intern

14.	Pharmacy Manager

15.	Pharmacy Services Director

16.	Prescriptionist

17.	Radiopharmacist

18.	Registered Pharmacist

19.	Staff Pharmacist

Job Tasks

	Review prescriptions to assure accuracy, to ascertain the needed ingredients, and to evaluate their suitability.

	Provide information and advice regarding drug interactions, side effects, dosage, and proper medication storage.

	Prepare sterile solutions or infusions for use in surgical procedures, emergency rooms, or patients' homes.

	Assess the identity, strength, or purity of medications.

	Maintain records, such as pharmacy files, patient profiles, charge system files, inventories, control records for radioactive nuclei, or registries of poisons, narcotics, or controlled drugs.

	Compound and dispense medications as prescribed by doctors and dentists, by calculating, weighing, measuring, and mixing ingredients, or oversee these activities.

	Plan, implement, or maintain procedures for mixing, packaging, or labeling pharmaceuticals, according to policy and legal requirements, to ensure quality, security, and proper disposal.

	Work in hospitals or clinics or for Health Management Organizations (HMOs), dispensing prescriptions, serving as a medical team consultant, or specializing in specific drug therapy areas, such as oncology or nuclear pharmacotherapy.

	Teach pharmacy students serving as interns in preparation for their graduation or licensure.

	Advise customers on the selection of medication brands, medical equipment, or healthcare supplies.

	Provide specialized services to help patients manage conditions such as diabetes, asthma, smoking cessation, or high blood pressure.

	Collaborate with other health care professionals to plan, monitor, review, or evaluate the quality or effectiveness of drugs or drug regimens, providing advice on drug applications or characteristics.

	Analyze prescribing trends to monitor patient compliance and to prevent excessive usage or harmful interactions.

	Manage pharmacy operations, hiring or supervising staff, performing administrative duties, or buying or selling non-pharmaceutical merchandise.

	Assay radiopharmaceuticals, verify rates of disintegration, and calculate the volume required to produce the desired results, to ensure proper dosages.

	Order and purchase pharmaceutical supplies, medical supplies, or drugs, maintaining stock and storing and handling it properly.

	Offer health promotion and prevention activities, for example, training people to use devices such as blood pressure or diabetes monitors.

	Refer patients to other health professionals or agencies when appropriate.

	Publish educational information for other pharmacists, doctors, or patients.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.


		use computers to enter, access or retrieve data

		use relational database software

		use spreadsheet software

		use word processing or desktop publishing software

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.


		use chemical testing or analysis procedures

		follow confidentiality procedures

		apply drug information to patient treatment

		use health or sanitation standards

		follow infectious materials procedures

		use interpersonal communication techniques

		use quality assurance techniques

		use research methodology procedures in health care

		use scientific research methodology

		follow safe waste disposal procedures

		use sanitation practices in health care settings

		use knowledge of medical terminology

		use knowledge of investigation techniques

		use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems

		use quantitative research methods

		use knowledge of metric system

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.


		calculate medical dosages

		compile numerical or statistical data

		develop tables depicting data

		calculate radiation dosage, following physician's prescription

		measure, weigh, or count products or materials

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.


		collect scientific or technical data

		accept prescriptions for filling

		obtain information from individuals

		obtain information from clients, customers, or patients

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.


		inventory medical supplies or instruments

		label pharmaceutical supplies

		maintain customer records

		inventory stock to ensure adequate supplies

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.


		explain complex mathematical information

		explain uses or effects of drugs

		interpret prescriptions

		write scholarly or technical research papers

		write technical health or medical documents

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.


		adhere to safety procedures

		maintain established procedures concerning quality assurance

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.


		understand properties or composition of drugs

		distinguish colors

		understand pharmaceutical formulas

		understand drug products

		understand government health, hotel or food service regulations

		understand properties of gases or liquids

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.


		analyze medical data

		analyze scientific research data or investigative findings

		analyze chemical experimental, test, or analysis data or findings

		conduct laboratory research or experiments

		conduct standardized qualitative laboratory analyses

		conduct standardized quantitative laboratory analyses

		conduct analyses or tests of organic compounds

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.


		provide customer service

		answer customer or public inquiries

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.


		advise clients or customers

		refer patients to community resources

		provide advice on food or drug storage or use

		advise governmental or industrial personnel

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.


		plan or organize work

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.


		communicate technical information

		make presentations

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.


		demonstrate or explain assembly or use of equipment

		teach individuals work-related techniques or skills

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.


		work as a team member

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.


		direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.


		dispense prescribed medications and pharmaceuticals

		maintain record of medication or equipment dispensed to patient

		order or purchase supplies, materials, or equipment

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.


		compound pharmaceuticals or medical preparations

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.


		assign work to staff or employees

		monitor worker performance

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.


		maintain records, reports, or files

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.


		create mathematical or statistical diagrams or charts

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.


		develop policies, procedures, methods, or standards

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.


		hire, discharge, transfer, or promote workers

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.


		mix paint, ingredients, or chemicals, according to specifications

		store pharmaceutical supplies or filled prescriptions

		prepare sterile solutions, infusions, or intravenous packs

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.


		sell merchandise

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).


		use precision measuring tools or equipment

		use laboratory equipment

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Pharmacists
	Pharmacists distribute prescription drugs to individuals. They also advise their patients, physicians, and other health practitioners on the selection, dosages, interactions, and side effects of medications, as well as monitor the health and progress of those patients to ensure that they are using their medications safely and effectively. Compounding—the actual mixing of ingredients to form medications—is a small part of a pharmacist's practice, because most medicines are produced by pharmaceutical companies in standard dosages and drug delivery forms. Most pharmacists work in a community setting, such as a retail drugstore, or in a healthcare facility, such as a hospital.

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Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Pharmacists
	Pharmacists work in clean, well-lighted, and well-ventilated areas. Many pharmacists spend most of their workday on their feet. When working with sterile or dangerous pharmaceutical products, pharmacists wear gloves, masks, and other protective equipment.

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Interesting Fact

Thomas Edison not only invented electric light, he also invented wax paper, the phonograph (and record), the radio vacuum tube, the motion picture camera, an electronic voting machine and dozens more!

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