6 answers
Leo
Student
Brigham City, Utah
1
Question
Updated
3638 views
What steps should I take in order to become a pharmacist?
My mother is in the healthcare field, so I decided I'd also find a job there. I've enjoyed most of my science classes in high school, and anatomy and physiology interests me. I'm already in a pharmacy technician program, so becoming a pharmacist would be a long term goal. I thought becoming a pharmacy tech would be a good first step, but beyond that I haven't a clue of what I should do.
#pharmacy #health
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6 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1590
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Leo there is no set-in-stone undergraduate degree for pharmacists. If you are thinking of becoming a pharmacist, you will need a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an accredited program (which includes four years of clinical experience) and a license. Prior to enrolling in a doctoral program, you will need to complete a pre-professional program. To get into a post-graduate pharmacy school, candidates will need at least a 2-year degree. It takes approximately 6-years of post-high school education to become a pharmacist, including two years of prerequisite courses and four years to complete a Doctor of Pharmacy degree program. Pharmacists need to complete a pre-professional program, an accredited doctoral program including clinical experience, and sometimes a residency, before attaining a license. While in school, they study subjects like dosages, consulting with patients, medication interactions, pharmaceutical law, health management, and pharmacy equipment. An aging population and rising rates of chronic diseases are expected to contribute to a growth in jobs in the pharmacy field. Between 2018 and 2028, the BLS projects a growth rate of 6%.
COMPLETE A PRE-PROFESTIONAL COLLEGE TRACT
Individuals who want to become pharmacists must first complete a pre-professional track that is typically two years in length and includes scientific courses in biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy and physiology. The program may also include foundational courses in pharmaceutical practices as well as courses in other academic areas including English, mathematics, and economics. Some students opt to complete a four year bachelor's degree while taking pharmacy prerequisite courses, but holding a bachelor's degree is not a requirement for pharmacy school admission.
EARN YOUR DOCTOR OF PHARMACY DEGREE
Prospective pharmacists should seek a Doctor of Pharmacy program that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). Accreditation demonstrates that a program is preparing students to meet the standards of the profession. According to the ACPE, state licensing boards require applicants to have graduated from an accredited program. Pharm.D. programs are typically completed in four years and provide instruction on medical dosages, patient consultations and medication interactions. Common courses in a Pharm.D. program cover pharmacy law, pharmacotherapy, dosage forms and health management. Students are also familiarized with the equipment used on the job, including filling machines and flow cabinets. Clinical experience is a major segment of a Pharm.D. program. In the first two to three years, depending on the university, students take Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences, in which students develop essential skills, such as consulting patients, delivering immunizations and performing screenings. During the remainder of the program, students take Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs) that place them in patient care settings under the supervision of licensed pharmacists. APPEs have rotations that allow students to experience different areas of pharmacy, including inpatient, ambulatory operations and electives.
Hope this was helpful Leo
COMPLETE A PRE-PROFESTIONAL COLLEGE TRACT
Individuals who want to become pharmacists must first complete a pre-professional track that is typically two years in length and includes scientific courses in biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy and physiology. The program may also include foundational courses in pharmaceutical practices as well as courses in other academic areas including English, mathematics, and economics. Some students opt to complete a four year bachelor's degree while taking pharmacy prerequisite courses, but holding a bachelor's degree is not a requirement for pharmacy school admission.
EARN YOUR DOCTOR OF PHARMACY DEGREE
Prospective pharmacists should seek a Doctor of Pharmacy program that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). Accreditation demonstrates that a program is preparing students to meet the standards of the profession. According to the ACPE, state licensing boards require applicants to have graduated from an accredited program. Pharm.D. programs are typically completed in four years and provide instruction on medical dosages, patient consultations and medication interactions. Common courses in a Pharm.D. program cover pharmacy law, pharmacotherapy, dosage forms and health management. Students are also familiarized with the equipment used on the job, including filling machines and flow cabinets. Clinical experience is a major segment of a Pharm.D. program. In the first two to three years, depending on the university, students take Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences, in which students develop essential skills, such as consulting patients, delivering immunizations and performing screenings. During the remainder of the program, students take Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs) that place them in patient care settings under the supervision of licensed pharmacists. APPEs have rotations that allow students to experience different areas of pharmacy, including inpatient, ambulatory operations and electives.
Hope this was helpful Leo
Katrina Moran
Pharmacist
1
Answer
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Katrina’s Answer
The quickest way to get introduced into the field is to work as a pharmacy technician at either a retail chain or hospital. You can start depending on your age and your state’s laws (some states require a person to be 16 years old and older, some require 18 years and older). It’s a job that you learn on the go, but it’s great that you’re getting a head start being in a training program. It’s also a great way to get a feel for how your days will look like as a pharmacist. When you do land a job as a technician, always be sure to ask your pharmacist questions constantly and you’ll be surprised how much knowledge sticks with you throughout school. I hope that this helps!
Ashley Gracio
Pharmacy technician
17
Answers
Jacksonville, Florida
Updated
Ashley’s Answer
Do your prerequisites, then enroll in the pharmacy program. But get your recs out of the way
Reham Mohamed
Associate Consultant
17
Answers
Doha, Qatar
Updated
Reham’s Answer
First, of course you have to complete a pharmacy bachelor degree from a recognized educational faculty:
while you are studying , you have to do the following:
- don't rely only on the academic books for information, but search more for the recent studies on drugs and for the new trends of medicines and be aware of the next coming trend in this field.
- Ask the pharmaceutical companies for Medical representative training , Quality Control Training,Quality Assurance Training , Research , Regulatory affairs training inside their faculties, and also ask for training in hospital and community pharmacies as well so you can be aware enough about all aspects that you can work in after your graduation.
- The previous step is very important, as it will give you the guide to which aspect you have to concentrate on it and build also a huge relation in the actual workplaces which will help you to find a job in the future,
while you are studying , you have to do the following:
- don't rely only on the academic books for information, but search more for the recent studies on drugs and for the new trends of medicines and be aware of the next coming trend in this field.
- Ask the pharmaceutical companies for Medical representative training , Quality Control Training,Quality Assurance Training , Research , Regulatory affairs training inside their faculties, and also ask for training in hospital and community pharmacies as well so you can be aware enough about all aspects that you can work in after your graduation.
- The previous step is very important, as it will give you the guide to which aspect you have to concentrate on it and build also a huge relation in the actual workplaces which will help you to find a job in the future,
Anthony Petrello
Pharmacist
49
Answers
Medford, New York
Updated
Anthony’s Answer
Hi Leo,
The steps towards becoming a pharmacist are as follows
1) Enroll into an undergraduate program and complete pharmacy school prerequisites. This would take at least two-years, many pharmacy school programs do not require their students to have earned a bachelor’s degree. However, earning a bachelor’s degree does help boost your application and will likely teach you material that would be useful throughout pharmacy school. Many students who enter pharmacy school do have a bachelor’s degree.
2) Sign up for, take, and do well on the PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test)
3) Create a PharmCAS account to upload your application and PCAT score as well as apply to pharmacy schools.
4) Interview at pharmacy schools
5) Accept an offer from a pharmacy school and complete their program
6) Graduate with a doctorate of pharmacy (PharmD)
7) Take and pass all requires pharmacist licensing exam per your state’s requirements, such as the NAPLEX and MPJE
That everything form start to finish that must be done to become a pharmacist. However, it is important to note that this isn’t set in stone. For example, there are some 6 year programs out there that do not require their students to complete pre-requisites, but rather their students sign up for one long program where they complete their pre-requisites and PharmD together. Additionally, I’ve heard that there are some pharmacy schools that do not require the PCAT.
Best of luck,
Anthony
The steps towards becoming a pharmacist are as follows
1) Enroll into an undergraduate program and complete pharmacy school prerequisites. This would take at least two-years, many pharmacy school programs do not require their students to have earned a bachelor’s degree. However, earning a bachelor’s degree does help boost your application and will likely teach you material that would be useful throughout pharmacy school. Many students who enter pharmacy school do have a bachelor’s degree.
2) Sign up for, take, and do well on the PCAT (Pharmacy College Admission Test)
3) Create a PharmCAS account to upload your application and PCAT score as well as apply to pharmacy schools.
4) Interview at pharmacy schools
5) Accept an offer from a pharmacy school and complete their program
6) Graduate with a doctorate of pharmacy (PharmD)
7) Take and pass all requires pharmacist licensing exam per your state’s requirements, such as the NAPLEX and MPJE
That everything form start to finish that must be done to become a pharmacist. However, it is important to note that this isn’t set in stone. For example, there are some 6 year programs out there that do not require their students to complete pre-requisites, but rather their students sign up for one long program where they complete their pre-requisites and PharmD together. Additionally, I’ve heard that there are some pharmacy schools that do not require the PCAT.
Best of luck,
Anthony
Steven Marciniak
Vice President, Medicare Pharmacy Services
14
Answers
Northville, Michigan
Updated
Steven’s Answer
As many of the answers state, pharmacy school is, at a minimum, a 6-year commitment. The curriculum is very science-based, with chemistry-related courses as a core (inorganic, organic, biochem, medicinal chem, etc.)
I don't agree with other statements that pharmacy is heavy in math - there is some math but nothing like you might encounter in an engineering space.
although a 6-year commitment seems like a lot, especially when you're younger, once you get through you will be set for life. almost all pharmacy jobs start in the low 6-figures, and you can have a ton of career choices.
My own journey started as a community pharmacist, filling prescriptions in a retail setting. From there I became a district manager for the chain I was working at, and then I became involved in my organizations managed-care division and eventually would up selling pharmacy benefits for a short time. Then I moved into the insurance industry (think Blue Cross, United, etc.) where I have had a very successful 20-year run.
On the insurance side we hire many pharmacists to do things like review prior authorization requests - we also have pharmacists working in the sales and account areas...so again, lots of places to go if you are inclined!
I don't agree with other statements that pharmacy is heavy in math - there is some math but nothing like you might encounter in an engineering space.
although a 6-year commitment seems like a lot, especially when you're younger, once you get through you will be set for life. almost all pharmacy jobs start in the low 6-figures, and you can have a ton of career choices.
My own journey started as a community pharmacist, filling prescriptions in a retail setting. From there I became a district manager for the chain I was working at, and then I became involved in my organizations managed-care division and eventually would up selling pharmacy benefits for a short time. Then I moved into the insurance industry (think Blue Cross, United, etc.) where I have had a very successful 20-year run.
On the insurance side we hire many pharmacists to do things like review prior authorization requests - we also have pharmacists working in the sales and account areas...so again, lots of places to go if you are inclined!