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Pharmacist Schools

Typically, a pharmacist Technician sells medicines over the counter. However, the actual role of Pharmacists extends way beyond that. They play an important role in promoting the sale of various pharmaceutical  drugs as well as natural medicine. If you plan to pursue a career in Pharmacy  then acquiring a degree  from one of the accredited Pharmacist Schools will be of considerable help in becoming a Pharmacist. With the growing population, the health related issues are also increasing, which has generated a number of career opportunities for Pharmacists.





Pharmacy schools in all states are helping aspiring students acquire qualifications for pharmacy jobs. These schools offer a range of pharmacy degrees such as PharmD programs and pharmacy certifications. Pharmacy is one of the main sectors of the healthcare industry and is crucial for treating patients. Pharmacology, clinical pharmacy, pharmaceutical chemistry, and medicines management are some of the areas you will cover while enrolled in a pharmacy school.

About Pharmacist Schools

Pharmacist Schools provide students with the basic and advanced health related education that can enable them to potentially pursue a career in this field. A large number of Pharmacist Schools in the US offer Pharm.D Degrees. The duration of these degree programs may be up to four years, though the actual time frame can vary, depending on the program type and format. The curriculum offered by most colleges is designed in line with the modern medicine theories.

You can learn about a wide variety of drugs, their usage and effects by getting enrolled in a Pharmacist School. The key objective of the courses taught at these schools is to educate the students about examining and assessing the medical conditions of patients. In order to become a Pharmacist Technician, you may need to have an advanced understanding of subjects like:

  • Pharmacology
  • Medicines Management
  • Pharmaceutical Chemistry
  • Pharmacognosy
  • Clinical Pharmocokinetics

What Degree do You Need To be a Pharmacist?

  1. First you need to complete a four year Bachelor of Science degree.
  2. You will need to complete at least two years of pre-pharmacy coursework in a bachelor’s degree.
  3. Pre-pharmacy courses include sociology, anatomy, chemistry, biology, calculus, and physics.
  4. Get a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree from an accredited institute
  5. A Pharm.D. degree normally takes four years to complete.
  6. The degree will consist of classroom learning and supervised work experience in hospitals and pharmacies.

These courses can give you a detailed insight in to the medical processes that come into play in Pharmacy. Pharmacist Schools emphasize a lot on laboratory work as well. The lab sessions are meant to develop the practical skills and knowledge of the students. Through practical experimentation, the students are able to learn more about the pharmaceutical sciences and processes. Comprehensive understanding of drug therapy techniques can essentially help you in your professional practice. In addition to this, various skills like interacting with patients can boost your expertise as a Pharmacy Technician. Apart from the class room learning, the students have the opportunity to work with practicing Pharmacists which can enlighten the students about the wide-ranging principles of patient care.

Career Prospects

Pharmacists are expected to perform the following tasks:

  • Managing the pharmacy
  • Offering pharmaceutical care to patients
  • Providing drug related information
  • Promoting health care

With a Pharm.D. Degree from an accredited school, you can capitalize on various career opportunities like in areas like:

  • Hospitals
  • Community Pharmacies
  • Patient Counseling
  • Teaching

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in May 2014, pharmacists were earning a median annual wage of $120,950.

Other Useful Resources

States with the highest employment level in this occupation:

State

Employment

Employment per thousand jobs

Location quotient

Hourly mean wage

Annual mean wage

California 1660 0.11 1.26 18.13 37720
Florida 1130 0.14 1.68 17.97 37370
Illinois 960 0.16 1.92 17.9 37240
Texas 760 0.07 0.78 16.62 34570
New York 650 0.07 0.85 20.12 41840

Source: bls.gov

How long does it take to complete Pharmacist School?

Pursuing a career in Pharmaceutical Science usually takes 6 to 8 years. Most people start off with an associate's degree, then a bachelor's degree, followed by a master's and a doctoral degree. Most pharmacists hold a doctoral or a professional degree if they aim to work in the industry. A four year bachelor's degree has now become mandatory in most well-reputed schools.

What are the requirements to complete Pharmacist School?

A four-year bachelor's degree is quickly becoming the standard requirement for those who want to work in the Pharmaceutical Industry. All Pharmacists are also required to complete an accredited Pharm.D. program and clear the following exams:

•    The North American Pharmacist Licensing Exam (NAPLEX) and

•    The Multi-State Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE).

Pharmacists are widely required to take a lot of courses in Chemistry, Biology and Applied Mathematics.

How much can I make after finishing Pharmacist School?

Trained and certified Pharmacists are employed mostly in pharmacies and drugstores and work full time. Fewer pharmacists work at general stores food and beverage stores. The median annual pay for Pharmacists was $126,120 per annum and approximately $60 per hour as of May 2018. The number of jobs in the Pharmaceutical Industry was 312,500 in 2016 and the rate of growth of employment in the industry is averaged at 6%.

Frequently Asked Question(s)

Q:Are there any scholarships for the Pharmacist Technician courses?

A:There are numerous universities and schools that offer scholarships for the Pharmacist Technician courses. It is, however, advised that you apply for the scholarships well before the deadline, to maximize your chances of approval.

Q:What is taught in the Pharmacokinetics course offered at the Pharmacist Schools online?

A:Many of the Pharmacist Schools online offer the Pharmacokinetics study courses. Pharmacokinetics, which is often abbreviated as PK is that study of Pharmacology that solely deducts the final results and the fate of consumption of a specific drug. Toxins, drugs, hormones, pharmaceutical agents as well as nutrients are studied and tested on humans and animals, for research and development purposes.

Q:How many years of school to become a pharmacist?

A:It typically takes 8 years of pharmacy school to become a pharmacist. There are colleges that offer 6 year long programs as well. These offer associate programs instead of bachelors as a pre-requisite for Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D.). Undergraduate students must take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) to enter Pharmacy College. The exact duration will vary and depend upon which academic route you choose.

Q:How long does it take to become a pharmacist?

A:If you wish to enter the field of pharmacy, you must first complete an undergraduate program which can take 2 to 4 years to complete. Following this, it will take you 3-4 years to earn a professional doctorate degree known as the Pharm. D. or the Doctor of Pharmacy. Apart from the educational requirements, you must spend an additional 1-2 years in a residency program and apply for a professional license in your state. (Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Q:Can you get a pharmacist degree online?

A:Yes you can. There are several colleges that offer online pharmacy programs. Online Programs are designed to allow you to learn at home, online, at work, in person and in groups. Different methods and software are employed to achieve this purpose. Video conferencing and weekend meetings are organized for students if the need arises. Hands-on practice is also an option. The online program is designed in a manner, that gives you the practical and theoretical understanding you need to prepare for a career in this field.

Q:How do I enroll in colleges that specialize in pharmacy?

A:The admission criteria of pharmacy programs will vary from college to college and will depend upon which level of program you wish to enroll in. For undergraduate pharmacy programs, you may be required to submit a high school diploma and meet minimum score requirements. On the other hand, advanced pharmacy programs such as the Doctor of pharmacy (Pharm.D) may require applicants to take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT), submit a transcript of their undergraduate degree, and also complete the basic pre-pharmacy requirements. Some of the courses that students may have to study before applying are: anatomy and physiology, general chemistry, microbiology, statistics etc. It is important to keep in mind that these requirements may vary.

Q:Can you tell me about the general prerequisites for pharmacy school?

A:To enroll in a pharmacy school, you must fulfill the admission requirements of the program. These requirements will vary from place to place. The general requirements include: passing the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT), meeting the minimum CGPA requirement, completion of the prerequisite courses (anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, etc), submitting a letter of recommendation, and the official transcripts of bachelor or masters degree. Applicants must demonstrate sound knowledge of basic sciences and general education courses.

Q:How do you become a pharmacist?

A:The first step towards becoming a pharmacist is completing your High School education and enrolling in an undergraduate college degree. Undergraduate education is a pre-requisite for most pharmacy schools. You will study subjects like anatomy, biology, physics, chemistry and sociology. The next step is to take the PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test).This test measures your academic ability and scientific knowledge. You can then apply for admission in a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D.) degree which can take 3-4 years to complete. Once your education is complete, you must pass two licensing examinations in your state and complete a residency program. The two examinations you must clear are: The NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure) exam and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE). (Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Q:What does it take to become a pharmacist?

A:To become a pharmacist, you need a series of qualifications. At least 2 years of pre-university education is required. It is advisable to take the science path when choosing courses in your university. After these two years of study, you can apply to a Pharmacy College by appearing for your PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test). The results of this test may help you qualify for admission into higher education program such as the Pharm. D. or a Doctorate in Pharmacy. Once this step is complete, you must complete a residency program and pass the licensing examination. There are two exams you must clear: The North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX) and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE). (Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Q:What do you need to do to become a pharmacist?

A:There are certain educational and training requirements you must fulfill to work as a pharmacist in the United States. Such requirements may vary slightly from state to state. You must first of all earn a degree in pharmacy. Apart from a bachelor and masters degree, earning a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D) degree is mandatory. This is a post-graduate degree that can take 3-4 years to complete. With education complete, the next step is to complete a 1-2 year residency and pass the licensing exams which are: The North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX) and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE). (Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Q:What classes do you take to become a pharmacist?

A:To become a pharmacist, individuals must complete a Pharm.D program and take the licensing examination. There are a number of colleges offering graduate and doctoral pharmacy programs. Students will be required to study various courses and also participate in training sessions. Classes will cover topics such as anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pharmacy law, pharmaceutical calculations, medicine, etc. The curriculum and class schedule will vary from college to college.

Q:What is a pharmacy technician?

A:A pharmacy technician is a professional who performs pharmacy-related functions. These professionals work under the supervision of licensed pharmacists. The general tasks include: dispensing drugs and medical devices to patients, managing payments and inventory, reviewing prescriptions, contacting patients, and performing various administrative tasks. Pharmacy technicians must have a thorough understanding of the field and must also demonstrate administrative skills. The demand for pharmacy technicians is on the rise due to the growing sector of pharmacy. The educational and training requirements of this career may vary from state to state.

Q:Where can a pharmacist work?

A:Pharmacists are responsible for dispensing prescription medications to patients. They can also be authorized to provide advice regarding the use of medicines and their effects. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 43% of pharmacists worked in pharmacy and drug stores in 2012. Other places of work include: department stores, merchandise stores, and local hospitals. (Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics)

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