Chapter 10 Pharmacy Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technician Pharmacists

Chapter 10 Pharmacy – Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technician

Pharmacists

Pharmacists’ Work Description • Advise health professionals and counsel patients on the proper selection and use of medicinal drugs, or pharmaceuticals • Have specialized knowledge of the complexity and potential side effects of drugs • May provide info on OTC (over-the-counter) or non-prescription drugs • In hospitals, they advise on and prepare treatments for patients.

Many Types of Pharmacists • Pharmacotherapists specialize in drug therapy and work closely with physicians. • Nutrition support pharmacists help determine and prepare the drugs needed for nutrition. • Radiopharmacists or nuclear pharmacists produce and dispense radioactive drugs that are used for diagnosis and therapy. • Compounding pharmacist – create drugs from powders and solutions, make ointments; can create individualized dosages for patients depending on their needs.

Work Environment • Pharmacists usually work in areas that resemble small laboratories. • Pharmacists spend much time on their feet, most working at least full-time hours. • When working with dangerous pharmaceutical products, pharmacists may need to wear gloves and masks and work with special protective equipment. • Many Pharmacists may have to work evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays

Employment Opportunities • Pharmacists held about 269, 900 jobs in 2008. • About 65% worked in retail settings, which include community pharmacies that were either independently owned or part of a drugstore chain, grocery store, etc. • About 22% of pharmacists worked in hospitals. • A small proportion worked in mail order and Internet pharmacies, pharmaceutical wholesalers, offices of physicians, and the federal government.

Educational and Legal Requirements • Pharmacists must earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D) degree from a College of Pharmacy, accredited by the ACPE, and pass several examinations. – ACPE = Accreditation Counsel for Pharmacy Education • Pharmacy Colleges typically require students to take an admissions (PCAT) exam.

Licensure for Pharmacists • A license to practice pharmacy is required in all states, the District of Columbia, and all U. S. territories. • National and state exams – NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam) – Most states require jurisprudence exams on pharmacy law

Other Qualifications • Prospective pharmacists should: – possess scientific aptitude (aka math and biochemistry) – have good interpersonal skills – have a desire to help others – be conscientious and pay close attention to detail because the decisions they make affect human lives.

Advancement for Pharmacists • In community pharmacies and chain drug stores pharmacists usually begin at the staff level. – May be promoted to pharmacy supervisor or manager at the store level – Then to manager at the district or regional level – Or…later, an executive position within the chain’s headquarters.

Advancement for Pharmacists • Hospital pharmacists are typically required to complete a 1 -2 yr residency. – may eventually advance to supervisory or administrative positions. • Some pharmacists become owners or part owners of independent general pharmacies and compounding pharmacies • Pharmacists in the pharmaceutical industry may advance into marketing, sales, research, quality control, production, or other areas.

Employment Trends • Book states - employment is expected to increase much faster than the average through 2018. – current data suggests growth rate at 3% • Current data here http: //www. bls. gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacists. ht m

Earnings • The median annual wage and salary of pharmacists in May 2008 was $106, 410. – updated 2014 = $120, 950

PHARMACY TECHNICIANS AND AIDES

Pharm Tech and Aides Work Description • Pharmacy technicians and aides help licensed pharmacists prepare prescription medications, provide customer service, and perform administrative duties within a pharmacy setting. • Pharmacy technicians generally are responsible for receiving prescription requests, counting tablets, stocking and labeling bottles • Pharmacy aides perform administrative functions such as answering phones, stocking shelves, and operating cash registers. • In organizations that do not have aides, however, pharmacy technicians may be responsible for these clerical duties.

Work Environment • Pharmacy technicians and aides work in clean, organized, well-lighted, and well-ventilated areas. • Most of their workday is spent on their feet. • They may be required to lift heavy boxes or to use stepladders to retrieve supplies from high shelves. • Technicians and aides often have varying schedules that include nights, weekends, and holidays.

Employment Opportunities • Pharmacy technicians and aides held about 381, 200 jobs in 2008. – 326, 300 were pharmacy technicians – 54, 900 were pharmacy aides – Pharm tech positions are projected to continue to take over pharm aide positions in most places • About 75% of jobs were in a retail setting, and about 16% were in hospitals.

Educational and Legal Requirements • For pharmacy technicians, there is no national training standard, but employers favor applicants who have formal training, certification and previous experience. • For pharmacy aides, there also are no formal training requirements, but a high school diploma may be required

Certification and Other Qualifications • In most states, pharmacy technicians must be registered with the state board of pharmacy. • Eligibility requirements vary • State of WA – see Canvas page for link to DOH site with requirements – formal training – pass national exam

Advancement • Limited, but in large pharmacies and health systems, pharmacy technicians and aides with significant training or experience can be promoted to supervisory positions. • Specializing - such as chemotherapy technician or nuclear pharmacy technician. • Others may move into sales (drug reps) • Some technicians and aides will substantially further their education and become Pharmacists.

Employment Change • Updated: employment of pharmacy technicians and aides is expected to grow 9% from 2014 – 2024 • Current info here - http: //www. bls. gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacytechnicians. htm#tab-1 • Job opportunities for pharmacy technicians are expected to be good, especially for those with previous experience, formal training, or certification.

Job opportunities • Pharmacy Tech jobs should continue to increase due to: – increased population of elderly – increased access to prescription drug coverage – increased incidence of chronic diseases requiring multiple medication management – increased scientific advances/research into new drugs

Earnings • Updated 2014: The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians was $29, 810 in May 2014. • The lowest 10 percent earned less than $20, 730 • The highest 10 percent earned more than $43, 900. • State of WA, pharm techs earn more