Clinical Pharmacist Job Description Information

Clinical pharmacists work closely with patients and health care providers to provide information and guidance about the effects of prescription drugs and their dosage amounts and potential side effects, and to help plan effective drug therapy programs. A clinical pharmacist is an expert in the field of traditional and nontraditional therapy programs and conducts research into the treatment and prevention of disease. According to the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, a clinical pharmacist provides independent evaluations and recommendations for appropriate therapeutic decisions to and in collaboration with other health care providers.

 

Education Requirements

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, clinical pharmacists must pass a series of written examinations and possess a doctor of pharmacy degree from a college of pharmacy approved by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. A doctor of pharmacy degree, (Pharm D) is required for all pharmacists. Clinical pharmacists must complete additional training to achieve the necessary skills and qualifications to practice. Pharm D graduates intending to progress to clinical pharmacists often seek additional education through residency programs or fellowships. Pharmacy fellowships prepare pharmacists to work in specialized areas such as research facilities or in a clinical practice. Postgraduate residency programs may last up to two years and typically require the completion of a research project.

Job Duties

• Traditional pharmacists fill prescriptions for patients prescribed by health care professionals. Clinical pharmacists observe and treat patients in all health care settings and conduct research to further pharmaceutical care and advance the treatment and prevention of disease. Clinical pharmacists work independently to evaluate and recommend such therapeutic therapy as intravenous nutrition, oncology, nuclear pharmacy, geriatric, and psychiatric pharmacy. Pharmacists usually keep computerized records of patients' drug therapies to prevent negative drug interactions. Clinical pharmacists instruct pharmacist technicians in the proper procedures for filling prescriptions, counseling patients, and contacting pharmaceutical companies and health care facilities.

Employment Outlook

• Employment opportunities for clinical pharmacists will increase along with expansions in health care and pharmaceutical research and development. As a greater number of the population reaches retirement age, qualified clinical pharmacists will be in greater demand.

Earnings

• According to payscale.com the annual wage for clinical pharmacists ranges between $93,400 and $112,302 annually. In addition, clinical pharmacists may receive bonuses and possible profit-sharing income. Bonuses range from $1,481 to $6,941, respectively, along with the base salary. Likewise, profit sharing ranges from $2,000 to $8,500. According to the Army Civilian Corps, a clinical pharmacist coordinator can expect an annual salary ranging from $102,463 to $120,544 for GS-12 level position.

Related Job Opportunities

• The most growth in this occupation will come from the ever-evolving complexity of prescription drugs. Pharmacists will need to be more involved with their patients and their reactions to the medication.

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Pharmacist Salary Information

Pharmacists mainly work in retail settings where they fill drug prescriptions for customers. They interact with a wide variety of people, and help customers understand proper dosage and use of pharmaceutical products, as well as any side effects. Pharmacists are in high demand and make excellent salaries, with the average in 2008 at around $101,000.

 

Geography

• Most pharmacists work in independent or chain drugstores, or in department store pharmacies. About 25 percent work in hospital pharmacies, clinics, and mental health institutions. Median starting salary is around $81,000, with increases in pay to around $97,000 with five years experience. Those in the largest organizations tend to make more, around $105,000 on average, including hospitals and large retail chains. Small-town pharmacies generally pay lower, in the $80,000 range.

Function

• Pharmacists assist clients of many different age groups and backgrounds, some who do not speak English fluently. They need excellent communication skills and to be very well-organized, with strict attention to detail. Whether working in a small or large pharmacy, their days are busy. On any given workday, a pharmacist may help an elderly person understand a new blood pressure medication, discuss the proper medication schedule for a person who suddenly is required to take several cardiovascular drugs, explain the proper storage for insulin, and answer questions about over-the-counter items such as contact lens solutions. From small-town pharmacies to large department stores, pharmacists often assist at the general retail counter, where people pick up prescriptions and purchase other products at the same time.

Significance

• The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics sees an excellent job outlook for pharmacists through at least 2016, due to an increasing focus on preventive care and an aging population. Because of the high demand, pharmacists can choose virtually any location and type of work environment.

Benefits

• According to the USBLS, about 80 percent of pharmacists earned between $68,000 and $120,000 a year in 2006. Narrowing it down further, the middle 50 percent earned between $83,000 and $108,000. Most positions are full-time and include paid vacations and holidays, health insurance, and a 401(k) plan. Many half-time positions are available as well, paying significantly better than part-time work in other fields, with these pharmacists earning an average of about $56,000 annually and often having full-time benefits. Relief opportunities also are available, giving people flexibility if they only want to work at certain times of the year, or a week or two each month.

Potential

• In chain stores, a pharmacist can become a supervisor or manager at the individual store, then advance to the district, regional, or headquarters level, where they earn upwards of $100,000 a year. Chain stores often provide relocation packages. Those preferring to work in an independent store can become a store manager or owner. Further opportunities are available for pharmacists to work in clinical research, with salaries also typically in the $100,000 range.

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How to Become a Pharmacist

The field of pharmacy science is broad, challenging and potentially quite lucrative, which has resulted in more competition for jobs in both clinical and community settings. Still, there is ample opportunity in this respected profession for those with talent and commitment.

1. Study life sciences, health and mathematics in high school.
2. Complete one to two years of pre-pharmacy college-level coursework. Most pharmacy schools require this, and a growing number also look for high scores on the Pharmacy College Admissions Test.
3. Obtain a B.S. in Pharmacy (which takes five years) or a Doctor of Pharmacy degree (which can take six or more years) from one of the 80 U.S. colleges offering programs accredited by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education.
4. Pass your state's licensing examination; all 50 states require pharmacists to be licensed.
5. Participate in an internship under the direction of a licensed pharmacist to become qualified to practice pharmacy.
6. Continue your professional education through periodic refresher courses as required by your state's licensing board.

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