Q: Can a pharmacy technician become a pharmacist?

Yes, a pharmacy technician can become a pharmacist. In fact, this can be a great transition as pharmacy technicians already have a strong background in the field and therefore can have a higher chance of succeeding as pharmacists.

Q: Can you become a pharmacist online?

Yes, you can become a pharmacist online. Becoming a pharmacist requires completing a bachelor's degree and a doctorate-level pharmacy degree, both of which can be done online. However, to become a licensed pharmacist you need supervised clinical practice hours and a passing score on the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX).

Q: Do pharmacists get paid well?

Yes, pharmacists get paid well. Typically, the salary for a pharmacist falls somewhere between $90,000 per year and $130,000 per year. This is flexible, of course, but a pharmacist's salary is not usually too much lower than $90,000 per year.

Q: Do pharmacists go to med school?

Yes, pharmacists go to med school. In order to legally practice as a pharmacist, a doctoral degree in pharmacy is an absolute requirement. So, all practicing pharmacists in the United States have a medical education resulting in a doctoral degree.

Q: How hard is it to become a pharmacist?

It is very hard to become a pharmacist. According to the American Associations of Colleges of Pharmacy, it is estimated that of all the students who are accepted into pharmacy school, over 10% do not make it to graduation day.

Q: How hard is it to get into pharmacy school?

It is not very hard to get into pharmacy school. The average acceptance rate of pharmacy school is around 89%; meaning, if you are able to complete the proper prerequisite courses and have a decent GPA, you are very likely to be accepted into pharmacy school.

Question 1

How long does it take to become a Pharmacist?

Accepted Answer

It takes 5 years of professional experience to become a pharmacist. That is the time it takes to learn specific pharmacist skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education. If you include the normal education requirements to complete a college degree, then it takes 8 to 10 years years to become a pharmacist.

Question 2

What companies hire pharmacists?

Accepted Answer

Pharmacists are hired by a variety of companies such as retail pharmacies, hospital systems, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and insurance companies.

Retail Pharmacies: Companies like Walgreens, CVS Health, and Rite Aid frequently hire pharmacists to dispense medications and counsel patients on their usage.
Hospital Systems: Many hospitals such as Kaiser Permanente, Mayo Clinic, and Cleveland Clinic hire pharmacists to manage medication therapy for both inpatients and outpatients.
Pharmaceutical Manufacturers: Companies like Pfizer, Merck, and Johnson & Johnson hire pharmacists for roles in drug development, regulatory compliance, sales, and marketing.
Insurance Companies: Health insurance organizations like UnitedHealth Group or Aetna might hire pharmacists to help develop coverage policies or manage prescription claims.

Question 3

Can a pharmacy technician become a pharmacist?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a pharmacy technician can become a pharmacist. In fact, this can be a great transition as pharmacy technicians already have a strong background in the field and therefore can have a higher chance of succeeding as pharmacists.

Question 4

Can you become a pharmacist online?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can become a pharmacist online. Becoming a pharmacist requires completing a bachelor's degree and a doctorate-level pharmacy degree, both of which can be done online. However, to become a licensed pharmacist you need supervised clinical practice hours and a passing score on the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX).

Question 5

Do pharmacists get paid well?

Accepted Answer

Yes, pharmacists get paid well. Typically, the salary for a pharmacist falls somewhere between $90,000 per year and $130,000 per year. This is flexible, of course, but a pharmacist's salary is not usually too much lower than $90,000 per year.

Question 6

Do pharmacists go to med school?

Accepted Answer

Yes, pharmacists go to med school. In order to legally practice as a pharmacist, a doctoral degree in pharmacy is an absolute requirement. So, all practicing pharmacists in the United States have a medical education resulting in a doctoral degree.

Question 7

How hard is it to become a pharmacist?

Accepted Answer

It is very hard to become a pharmacist. According to the American Associations of Colleges of Pharmacy, it is estimated that of all the students who are accepted into pharmacy school, over 10% do not make it to graduation day.

Question 8

How hard is it to get into pharmacy school?

Accepted Answer

It is not very hard to get into pharmacy school. The average acceptance rate of pharmacy school is around 89%; meaning, if you are able to complete the proper prerequisite courses and have a decent GPA, you are very likely to be accepted into pharmacy school.

Question 9

How many years does it take to be a pharmacist?

Accepted Answer

To become a pharmacist, it can take anywhere from seven to ten years, not including the high school education that is typically necessary for such a career. Most pharmacists will spend between two and four years on undergraduate education.

Question 10

How to get a job as a pharmacist

Accepted Answer

The steps to get a job as a pharmacist are to earn a doctoral degree, complete residency, and pass the state licensing requirements.

Before admission to a doctoral program, you must complete a bachelor's degree from a four-year university that will satisfy the undergraduate pharmacy requirements. Then, you must take and pass the Pharmacy College Asmitrance Test (PCAT).

After passing the PCAT, you are ready to apply to any pharmacy program that is accredited through the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. Then, you will complete a residency or a formal internship. The hours on this will depend on individual state requirements, so be sure to check with your specific state.

Once you have completed all educational requirements, you are ready to take the licensing exam. Aspiring pharmacists should be sure to check to ensure all state requirements are met so then they may begin the job search for a position. Once you begin your career and throughout your time as a pharmacist, continual education will be required as part of your licensure.

Question 11

Is being a pharmacist a good career?

Accepted Answer

Yes, being a pharmacist is a good career. Pharmacists are one of the most well-respected and trusted medical professionals. They also make a really good living and are satisfied in knowing that they are helping people every day with their medical needs.

Pharmacists have great job security, and the profession remains in high demand. They also can choose to work in a number of different environments and for many different types of employers. Pharmacists are able to work at many different medical locations, such as retail drugstores, hospitals, nursing homes, mental health institutions, or health clinics.

Their work area typically is like a small laboratory that is clean, organized, well-lit, and well-ventilated. Some pharmacists also work for pharmaceutical corporations that develop new medications, drugs, and vaccines. Many find this type of work extremely rewarding.

In these working environments, pharmacists work with other pharmacists, doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel, so their work can be very engaging and stimulating. They also are often communicating with patients about their medications.

Pharmacists are also very well compensated. The average salary of a pharmacist is $144,327 per year.

Here are some of the top reasons why being a pharmacist is a good career:

Excellent salaries
High job demand and job opportunities
Wide selection of work environments
Job stability
You can run your own pharmacist business if you choose
You work in a career that helps other people with a critical service
It is a career that is highly respected and one you can be proud of

Question 12

Is it hard to become a pharmacist?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is hard to become a pharmacist. Pharmacists must earn a doctoral degree in pharmacy. To become a pharmacist, it is essential that one takes education extremely seriously.

Becoming a pharmacist involves several levels of exams, licenses, and higher education. Once a bachelor's degree has been earned or an accelerated program has reached the doctoral stage, a pharmacist must pass the Pharmacy College Admission Test in order to qualify for an accredited doctoral program in pharmacy.

Question 13

Nurse vs Pharmacist

Accepted Answer

A nurse is a medical professional that has a wide array of duties in patient care, while a pharmacist is a healthcare professional that focuses on the right way to use, store, preserve, and provide medicine.

Question 14

What degree do you need to be a pharmacist?

Accepted Answer

You need a Doctor of Pharmacy degree to be a pharmacist. To obtain a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), you need to have a bachelor's degree. Both a bachelor's degree and a Pharm.D. take around four years to complete, so a total of around eight years of school is required.

Question 15

What does a pharmacist wear?

Accepted Answer

A pharmacist wears business casual clothing under a white lab coat. This includes items like dress pants or khakis, with a button-up shirt, and sometimes with a tie.

Question 16

What is the career path for a pharmacist?

Accepted Answer

The career path for a pharmacist includes jobs as a pharmacy technician, a pharmacist, and a lead pharmacist. The pharmacist career path is generally straightforward, however, there can be variance in terms of where a pharmacist will work.

Question 17

What should I study to become a pharmacist?

Accepted Answer

You should study pre-pharmacy courses in college to become a pharmacist. There are two college tracks you can take to become a pharmacist.

The first involves completing an undergraduate degree before moving into a pharmacological graduate program, while the second option is a combined one that incorporates all of the relevant coursework into one program.

Question 18

Where do pharmacists work?

Accepted Answer

Pharmacists generally work in retail drugstores or health care facilities, such as hospitals, nursing homes, mental health institutions, or health clinics. Their work area typically is like a small laboratory that is clean, organized, well-lit, and well-ventilated.

Question 19

Why become a pharmacist?

Accepted Answer

There are many benefits to becoming a pharmacist, such as competitive pay, stability, and respect. Many pharmacists enjoy the challenging nature of their jobs, as well as the differences they see each day.

Question 20

Pharmacist vs. Pharmacy Technician

Accepted Answer

A pharmacist is trained to fill prescriptions, administer vaccines, and instruct patients on how/when to take their medications, while a pharmacy technician assists the pharmacist through packaging and labeling, organizing inventory, and providing customer service.

Skills	Percentages
Patients	22.49%
Customer Service	10.65%
Employee Development	7.64%
Allergies	6.23%
Patient Care	6.07%

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