Jacksonville University's Online BSN program offers you the opportunity to complete your nursing education online, without ever stepping foot on a college campus.
Working at a Pharmacy
Pharmacy Jobs
Pharmacies dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other healthcare practitioners to patients, and provide information to patients about their medications. Pharmacy jobs include certified pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacy aids.
To work as a pharmacist, you must have a license to practice. This certifies to your customers that you understand the use, clinical effects, and composition of drugs, including their chemical, biological, and physical properties, as well as any side effects that they may need to be aware of. Pharmacists are responsible for the accuracy of every prescription that is filled, and they often rely upon pharmacy technicians and pharmacy aides to assist them in the dispensing process.
Pharmacy technicians and pharmacy aides usually perform routine tasks to help the pharmacist prepare prescribed medication for patients. These duties can include counting tablets and labeling bottles. Any questions regarding prescriptions, dosages, possible side effects, drug interactions, or other health matters are usually referred to the pharmacist.
Qualifications
A license is required in all 50 states to work as a pharmacist. To obtain a license, you must graduate from a college of pharmacy and pass a qualifying examination. Courses offered at pharmacy schools are designed to teach you how to dispense prescriptions and communicate with patients and health care providers about drug information and patient care.
Pharmacy technician certification programs are also available at many vocational programs throughout the country. These programs typically include both classroom and laboratory work in a variety of areas, including medical and pharmaceutical terminology, pharmaceutical calculations, recordkeeping, and law and ethics. These programs are somewhat less demanding than a pharmacist?s program and do not require that you pass a qualifying exam.
Job Opportunities
Traditionally, most pharmacy jobs are available in a community setting such as a retail drugstore or in a healthcare facility, such as a hospital, nursing home, or health clinic.
