How to Get a Pharmaceutical Career Started
You may typically see a pharmacist at the corner drugstore. However, he can also be found researching new forms of medicine for drug companies or monitoring drug therapy inside a hospital, nursing home or mental health institution. A pharmacist prepares and distributes medicine that is prescribed by physicians and other health care practitioners. He advises patients on drugs and makes sure that drug interactions and dangerous side effects are avoided. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational May 2008 Employment Statistics Survey Program, pharmacists earned an average salary of $104,260. The BLS reveals that earnings are relatively high and excellent job opportunities are predicted through 2018.
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Make high school count. If you are still in high school and are interested in a pharmaceutical career, there are various ways to get the most out of your high school experience. According to Collegeboard.com, you can get ahead by taking higher level math and science classes, including Advanced Placement (AP) courses in chemistry, biology, physics and calculus. Do some volunteer work at a hospital, health clinic or community pharmacy. Consider summer study programs, such as the High School Health Careers Program at the University of Massachusetts or the Health Career Opportunity Program at the University of Montana. Consider learning a foreign language, which is useful to communicate with patients. Also, build your communication skills in classes, such as English, speech and drama.
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Attend a bachelor's degree program. According to the BLS, most applicants for doctor of pharmacy (Pharm.D.) programs have completed three or more years at a college or university. Although this is not specifically required, applicants are required to have completed courses in math and natural sciences, including chemistry, biology, physics, humanities and social sciences. The completion of required courses takes approximately two years to complete. Each Pharm.D. program has may have slightly different prerequisite requirements. According to Collegeboard.com, students generally spend six years after high school working toward the completion of a Pharm.D. degree.
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Attend a Pharm.D. program. According to the BLS, a Pharm.D. program usually takes four years to complete. Courses are designed to specifically teach students about drug therapy. Students also learn skills, such as communicating with patients and health care providers. In addition to classroom learning, students gain hands-on experience through working with licensed pharmacists.
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Get a license. According to the BLS, a prospective pharmacist must have a Pharm.D. degree from an accredited college of pharmacy approved by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. The candidate must then pass a series of examinations. All states require the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX); 44 states and the District of Columbia require the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE); all states require a specific number of practice hours that are typically obtained during the Pharm.D. program; and many states conduct a criminal background check.
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Get further training. According to the BLS, some Pharm.D. grads go through a one- or two-year residency fellowship or program. For pharmacists who plan on working in a clinical setting, residency is required. Pharmacy fellowships can allow students to gain experience in a specialized area of pharmacy, such as research or clinical. Some pharmacists who wish to own their own pharmacy may receive a master's degree in business administration (MBA).
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