4 answers
Jordan
Student
Summerville, South Carolina
3
Questions
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What is the day in the life of a pharmacist
#pharmaceuticals #pharmacist
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4 answers
Anthony Petrello
Pharmacist
49
Answers
Medford, New York
Updated
Anthony’s Answer
Hello,
Good question. As mentioned previously, a day in the life of a pharmacist varies considerably in your work setting. Pharmacists are the medication experts of healthcare and can have a role in nearly all environments where medication plays a role. However, I assume you were referring to the role of a retail pharmacist as I am one.
Every morning I enter work and check my phone calls, refrigerator and freezer temperatures, and email. I also reviewed any notes from the pharmacist working the day prior if I was off. From there, I go on to type my incoming prescription queue. I try to complete this by my technicians arrive to start filling prescriptions immediately. From there, I begin helping with patient issues, verifying prescriptions to be sold, checking patients out, answering phone calls from prescribers and patients, and giving vaccines. This may seem daunting. However, you are not alone and usually have a team of technicians to support you. Ultimately, many pharmacists' job is delegating tasks to technicians and managing workflow. I also have clerical responsibilities, such as filing delivery invoices and checking deliveries throughout the day. Finally, I focused on cleaning up the pharmacy to prepare it for the next day at the night's end. This involves physically cleaning, counting trays and counters, vacuuming, throwing out the trash, putting away medications, and filling supply bins.
Ultimately, because you are constantly dealing with patients, your role as a pharmacist varies significantly from day to day. Although you have clear-cut responsibilities to take care of, the urgency of those responsibilities can change on a whim due to the unpredictable nature of patients.
Good question. As mentioned previously, a day in the life of a pharmacist varies considerably in your work setting. Pharmacists are the medication experts of healthcare and can have a role in nearly all environments where medication plays a role. However, I assume you were referring to the role of a retail pharmacist as I am one.
Every morning I enter work and check my phone calls, refrigerator and freezer temperatures, and email. I also reviewed any notes from the pharmacist working the day prior if I was off. From there, I go on to type my incoming prescription queue. I try to complete this by my technicians arrive to start filling prescriptions immediately. From there, I begin helping with patient issues, verifying prescriptions to be sold, checking patients out, answering phone calls from prescribers and patients, and giving vaccines. This may seem daunting. However, you are not alone and usually have a team of technicians to support you. Ultimately, many pharmacists' job is delegating tasks to technicians and managing workflow. I also have clerical responsibilities, such as filing delivery invoices and checking deliveries throughout the day. Finally, I focused on cleaning up the pharmacy to prepare it for the next day at the night's end. This involves physically cleaning, counting trays and counters, vacuuming, throwing out the trash, putting away medications, and filling supply bins.
Ultimately, because you are constantly dealing with patients, your role as a pharmacist varies significantly from day to day. Although you have clear-cut responsibilities to take care of, the urgency of those responsibilities can change on a whim due to the unpredictable nature of patients.
Paria Sanaty Zadeh, PharmD
Pharmacist
3
Answers
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Updated
Paria’s Answer
Hello, Jordan!
A day in the life of a pharmacist is distinctly variable based on the setting in which the pharmacist practices—including, but not limited to, community pharmacy, clinic, hospital, specialty pharmacy, long-term care, academia, pharmaceutical industry, pharmacy benefit management, association management, and many more settings. Even within the same setting, each day can vary significantly—which makes the work of a pharmacist more interesting, exciting, and rewarding!
You can explore the broad range of pharmacy career paths, including pharmacist roles and daily responsibilities within each area, at www.transpharmd.com. In the resources section, front-line pharmacists from a wide variety of practice settings provide in-depth responses to this very question. You can reach out directly on the website for more information as well.
Wishing you all the best as you explore the boundless profession of pharmacy!
Warm regards,
Paria Sanaty Zadeh, PharmD
A day in the life of a pharmacist is distinctly variable based on the setting in which the pharmacist practices—including, but not limited to, community pharmacy, clinic, hospital, specialty pharmacy, long-term care, academia, pharmaceutical industry, pharmacy benefit management, association management, and many more settings. Even within the same setting, each day can vary significantly—which makes the work of a pharmacist more interesting, exciting, and rewarding!
You can explore the broad range of pharmacy career paths, including pharmacist roles and daily responsibilities within each area, at www.transpharmd.com. In the resources section, front-line pharmacists from a wide variety of practice settings provide in-depth responses to this very question. You can reach out directly on the website for more information as well.
Wishing you all the best as you explore the boundless profession of pharmacy!
Warm regards,
Paria Sanaty Zadeh, PharmD
Dinah Tadros
Pharmacy Intern
61
Answers
Crestwood, Illinois
Updated
Dinah’s Answer
It depends on what pharmacy setting you are working in. You can work in retail, clinical, veterinary, ambulatory, etc. Some experience may differ but, there is some common practice between difference practices. Pharmacists dispense medications that are prescribed by a physician or health care provider. Pharmacists have to possess in depth knowledge that is necessary to counsel the patient on how to take the medication, common side effects, and any concerns with it being dispensed. In many pharmacy practices, patient information is kept in a computerized system, that keeps detailed records of the patients whole medical profile to ensure the patient is safe. The pharmacist is actively involved with the patient and how the patient is being treated. The pharmacist is able to provide pertinent information on medication, recommend OTC products to patients, and even advising physicians on the proper treatment for a patient.
Michael Trocchia
Supply Chain Director
73
Answers
Mine Hill Township, New Jersey
Updated
Michael’s Answer
If you want to work in a retail pharmacy. CVS Walgreens etc you will have a staff of clerks and assistant to take the doctors prescription from the patient and get insurance information check the patient medical information and fill the prescription. You will answer any questions the patient has.