4 answers
David
Student
Alameda, California
3
Questions
Updated
545 views
What is the day to day life as a Pharmacist?
What is something that gets tiring on the job?
Is there anything that you like about the job?
What are some things that you dislike on the job?
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4 answers
Karen Iseminger
Retail Pharmacist
1
Answer
Everett, Pennsylvania
Updated
Karen’s Answer
Hi David! I've worked in a few types of pharmacies. From 1985-1998 I was a pharmacy technician; in that time I worked for a retail chain store, a long term care pharmacy and a hospital. From 1998-2001 I was an intern in a retail chain store. From 2001-2009 a staff pharmacist for a small independent in my town. 2009-2019 owned that small independent. From 2020-present day I'm a staff pharmacist for an independent which is located inside a health center. The worst part of the job is that - we are the face of healthcare (with absolutely no recognition as such, we are not considered 'healthcare providers' in this country). When people are upset about any aspect of their healthcare - we are accessible so we get to hear about it. You know what they say about "something" flowing downhill... well... for whatever reason... we are at the bottom of the hill. We receive the brunt of patients' exasperation with the health care system as a whole. Our healthcare system is so overburdened... patients spend a lot of time waiting, and by the time they get to you - they are tired of waiting and will let you know about it! If the patient doesn't know what med s/he needs to be refilled - it's your responsibility to figure it out. If a doctor doesn't call in a med - you will take the heat. If insurance doesn't cover a med - you will be yelled at. If a manufacturer can't supply a med - you are expected to fix the problem. You will take a verbal beating from every angle - patients, doctors, nurses.... But, at the same time, it is exceptionally rewarding when you can help somebody. A young mom with a sick child... the look of gratitude when you explain what the medicine will do for their kid - nothing beats that. When a tired caregiver is at the end of his/her rope and you make a call that helps them... they will thank you and it will be genuine - and life altering. I don't want to dissuade you with the first part of my answer but you need to know, it ain't pretty sometimes. But at the same time, it can be über rewarding. I noticed one answer asking if you want to be in retail in your 50s... well, I'm there (both in retail AND my 50s) and I can say - I'm ready to get out of retail. I'm currently studying for the Medication Therapy Management board certification test. I've never loved slinging pills... but I want to make people healthier. I want to meet with patients, discuss their medications and help them get the most out of their healthcare expenditures (both money and time). And therein lies my favorite part of the job - talking with people, helping them to better realize their healthcare goals (something you most likely won't have time for as a retail pharmacist). My best advice: absolutely work for a pharmacy before jumping into the career (whichever branch of the industry you are considering) every person I know who has gone into it blindly has left the career, dissatisfied. Every job has its detractors, that's why they're called JOBs. I don't think pharmacy is any better or worse in regard to negatives but I DO think pharmacy has better positives than most careers.
Brianna Martin, PharmD, BCPS
Pharmacist
13
Answers
Bargersville, Indiana
Updated
Brianna’s Answer
Hi David.
Pharmacists can actually work in many areas though most people just think of retail (CVS, Walgreens, etc) when they think of pharmacists. You can work retail where you check prescriptions (entry and actual product), give vaccinations, educate patients, and manage staff. You can work in mail order where you do the same as above but wouldn't interact with patients as much unless it is over the phone. You can work in a pharmacy that fills medications for nursing homes where you would check physician order entry and check the medications that the technicians have packaged (tablets, capsules, or even injectable/IV medications). You can travel from nursing home to nursing home checking patient charts (or even work from home doing this on a computer). In this job you are making sure that the patients are on the correct medications based on their diagnoses and labs. You check for the correct dosages and make sure the drugs are monitored correctly. You can work in a hospital in many MANY different areas. You can work in the cancer center preparing medications and doing a LOT of patient education. You can work in a clinic where you actual meet with patients all day and adjust their medications. You can work in an anticoagulation clinic, a chronic disease clinic, and HIV clinic, and many more! You can work in the hospital pharmacy checking the entry of medication orders, checking the drugs the pharmacy technicians have prepared, and answering phone calls from physicians and nurses. You can work on the hospital units where you follow patients and make sure they have the correct medications, you will dose medications and adjust them based on patient labs, and even attend code situations where you prepare medications bedside, help nurses and physicians obtain medications, select medications, etc. You educate patients on how and why to take their medications. You can also work in positions where you help manage drug shortages, help determine what medications the hospital should carry. You can be a pharmacist but also work with the technology that is used to order, dispense, and manage medications. I currently work for a company that provides solutions (software) to ensure patients receive the correct drug and dose based on their age, weight, kidney function, liver function, etc. We also have drug references we maintain that millions of people around the world access to find disease state and drug information (see wolterskluwer.com). As you can see, there are SO many places pharmacists can work. I've been around all of these types of pharmacists and have worked in many of these positions as well so I can provide more info on specific ones if you are interested- more info on pros and cons to each!
If you are interested in chemistry, biology, and medicine in high school, take lots of those classes!
Research pharmacist jobs online and talk to pharmacists. Shadow pharmacists.
Do well in high school. It is more than just about grades. Get involved in other things as well.
Research colleges that have pharmacy programs. Pharmacy is a doctorate program so you have 5 years of classes and a year of clinical rotations. Then you take your licensure exam. After that you can do 1-2 years of residency (but do not have to) and can even do fellowships or become board certified.
Pharmacists can actually work in many areas though most people just think of retail (CVS, Walgreens, etc) when they think of pharmacists. You can work retail where you check prescriptions (entry and actual product), give vaccinations, educate patients, and manage staff. You can work in mail order where you do the same as above but wouldn't interact with patients as much unless it is over the phone. You can work in a pharmacy that fills medications for nursing homes where you would check physician order entry and check the medications that the technicians have packaged (tablets, capsules, or even injectable/IV medications). You can travel from nursing home to nursing home checking patient charts (or even work from home doing this on a computer). In this job you are making sure that the patients are on the correct medications based on their diagnoses and labs. You check for the correct dosages and make sure the drugs are monitored correctly. You can work in a hospital in many MANY different areas. You can work in the cancer center preparing medications and doing a LOT of patient education. You can work in a clinic where you actual meet with patients all day and adjust their medications. You can work in an anticoagulation clinic, a chronic disease clinic, and HIV clinic, and many more! You can work in the hospital pharmacy checking the entry of medication orders, checking the drugs the pharmacy technicians have prepared, and answering phone calls from physicians and nurses. You can work on the hospital units where you follow patients and make sure they have the correct medications, you will dose medications and adjust them based on patient labs, and even attend code situations where you prepare medications bedside, help nurses and physicians obtain medications, select medications, etc. You educate patients on how and why to take their medications. You can also work in positions where you help manage drug shortages, help determine what medications the hospital should carry. You can be a pharmacist but also work with the technology that is used to order, dispense, and manage medications. I currently work for a company that provides solutions (software) to ensure patients receive the correct drug and dose based on their age, weight, kidney function, liver function, etc. We also have drug references we maintain that millions of people around the world access to find disease state and drug information (see wolterskluwer.com). As you can see, there are SO many places pharmacists can work. I've been around all of these types of pharmacists and have worked in many of these positions as well so I can provide more info on specific ones if you are interested- more info on pros and cons to each!
Brianna recommends the following next steps:
Rachel Hagemann, RPh.
Pharmacist
2
Answers
Mission, Texas
Updated
Rachel’s Answer
Always think about you in your 50s. Would you want to be working retail in your 50s? Maybe, but most likely no. Be an expert in an area. Be the person everyone calls for whatever question. When becoming a pharmacist be sure to think outside the box. Pharmacists can do anything. Don't limit yourself. You don't have to work with patients to help patients.
I work in informatics. I don't talk to patients, but I help other healthcare providers have the means to help patients.
I work in informatics. I don't talk to patients, but I help other healthcare providers have the means to help patients.
Kalkidan Gebray
Pharmacist
19
Answers
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Updated
Kalkidan’s Answer
Hello David ,
Regarding pharmacy, the most tiring thing is the repetition of your work which also makes it boring sometimes, and the fact that you will have to update yourself and give the most focused and absolute advice to patients as it is a matter of life and people highly rely on what you say so as much as possible you should work concentrated and avoid any error while dispensing and consulting as well. Similarly, the most interesting part again is that you are providing a healthcare service that is interesting and positive towards everyone (helping people get better). On the other hand, there are flexible opportunities for the career and allow you to entertain working through different aspects of the job either directly with patients or indirectly as well.
Regarding pharmacy, the most tiring thing is the repetition of your work which also makes it boring sometimes, and the fact that you will have to update yourself and give the most focused and absolute advice to patients as it is a matter of life and people highly rely on what you say so as much as possible you should work concentrated and avoid any error while dispensing and consulting as well. Similarly, the most interesting part again is that you are providing a healthcare service that is interesting and positive towards everyone (helping people get better). On the other hand, there are flexible opportunities for the career and allow you to entertain working through different aspects of the job either directly with patients or indirectly as well.
Thank you!
David