Overview

According to MONEY magazine, Pharmacist is one of the Top 10 Best Jobs in America.

Pharmacists dispense medications prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and monitor patient health. They advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosages, interactions, and side effects of medications. Pharmacists must understand the use; clinical effects; and composition of drugs, including their chemical, biological, and physical properties. Pharmacists are the medication experts.  They protect the public by ensuring drug purity and strength. The goal of pharmacy care is to maximize positive health care outcomes and improve patients' quality of life with minimum risk. Most pharmacists work in a community setting, such as a retail drug store, or in a hospital or clinic.

To learn more about this career, watch the video profile of "Pharmacists."

You can download, save and print a PDF of this career profile:

Pharmacist October 4, 2010 [PDF 53KB]

Working Conditions

Pharmacists usually work in clean, well-lit, and well-ventilated areas. Many pharmacists spend most of their workday on their feet. When working with sterile or potentially dangerous pharmaceutical products, pharmacists wear gloves and masks and work with other special protective equipment. Many community and hospital pharmacies are open for extended hours or around the clock, so pharmacists may work evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Consultant pharmacists may travel to nursing homes or other facilities to monitor patient's drug therapy. About 1 out of 5 pharmacists worked part time in 2009. Most full-time salaried pharmacists worked about 43 hours a week. Some, including many self-employed pharmacists, worked more than 50 hours a week.