Pharmacists are the backbone of many healthcare systems and teams. Their expertise in fulfilling prescriptions, informing patients of potential drug interactions, and their research into new methods of treatment help to keep patient care functioning.
From the corner drug store to million-dollar research facilities, pharmacists work to provide innovative care to patients and up-to-date research to doctors and nurses.
With many unique facts of pharmaceuticals and healthcare outside of retail pharmacy, there’s a niche within the job market for any professional looking to impact healthcare in their neighborhood and beyond.
Unique Pharmacy Careers
The pharmacy industry is diverse and customizable. New corners of the field are being developed by the day, so there’s no better time to join the ranks of innovative pharmacists than now. Here are just a few of the careers in pharmacy you could pursue.
Ambulatory Care Pharmacist
Ambulatory care pharmacists work in collaboration with doctors and other pharmacists to manage patient care in the long term, including helping to treat chronic conditions in patients. Their work often happens in outpatient care settings, where they conduct patient assessments and help patients transition from hospital care settings to life back at home. Through their collaboration with other healthcare providers, ambulatory care pharmacists see their direct input at work in patient care plans.
Pharmacists working in ambulatory care aim to make healthcare accessible to those in their community by closing gaps in available care and walking with patients through their healthcare journeys, providing long-term support. Ambulatory care pharmacists earn an average of $140,403 a year for their work.
Hospital Pharmacist
Hospital pharmacists fulfill medication orders from the staff at the hospital, ensuring that patients receive attentive and helpful care. They work hand-in-hand with doctors and nurses to fill prescriptions and IV bags alike, keeping the flow of care moving smoothly at the hospital. Hospital pharmacists may also counsel patients on the effects of medications and any possible interactions between drugs.
The average hospital pharmacist's salary is $164,800.
Home Infusion Pharmacist
Pharmacists who specialize in home infusion offer intravenous or subcutaneous treatment for patients in their own homes or in outpatient care centers. They may work with patients undergoing chemotherapy treatments or those managing pain after surgery. Home infusion can be more cost-effective for patients requiring long-term care and those who prefer to stay in their homes rather than outpatient centers.
Home infusion pharmacists make an average of $115,326 a year in California.
Compounding Pharmacist
Compounding pharmacists work to adapt existing medications to meet individual patient needs. This may include customizing the dosage or strength of a medication, removing allergens like lactose or gluten from medications, or changing the form of how a medication is delivered so that it is more accessible to patients. They usually use in-house ingredients and resources to meet patient needs and can make medicine for both humans and animals.
Compounding pharmacists make around $150,098 in California.
Lab Technician
Pharmaceutical lab technicians work to research new drugs and treatments for diseases. They use chemistry training and experiment with human and animal test groups to find the most effective treatments for ailments. Pharmaceutical lab technicians spend their days analyzing samples taken from their test subjects and improving drugs before they go to the approval boards. Professionals in this role are on the frontlines of innovative care and treatment plans, helping patients get the effective medications they need.
The average salary for pharmaceutical lab technicians is around $50,533 a year.
Medical Science Liaison
Medical science liaisons work in tandem with other healthcare professionals in crafting treatment plans for patients. Professionals in this role work at an administrative level, discovering locations for research and running communication between teams at different research sites. They also work to make sure each team meets its goals and target dates for research study completion, and they gather insight into the safety and efficacy of drugs in the assigned therapeutic areas of work.
Medical science liaisons make around $145,718 a year.
Getting the Job: How Do You Become a Pharmacist?
Knowing how to become a pharmacist starts with investing in the right training. Taking the time to explore the parts of the industry you’re drawn to and knowing what your career options are like is crucial.
Once you know what aspect of pharmacy you want to specialize in, you need to get the right degree. Many jobs in the pharmacy industry require a PharmD. It’s important to pursue a degree like a Doctor of Pharmacy that will give you a breadth of knowledge for the job field, as well as real-world experience in labs and clinics.
KGI’s PharmD Program: Preparing You for an Innovative Pharmacy Career
Keck Graduate Institute’s Doctor of Pharmacy program prepared graduates to change the world of pharmacy, one prescription at a time. With in-person classes and ten experiential education rotations prior to graduation, students are more than prepared to enter the pharmacy industry.
Plus, PharmD students are eligible for $60,000 in scholarships.
Want to know more about what you can do with a degree in pharmacy? Download our guide, Handling Healing: Why Are Pharmacists Important in the Healthcare System?
In our guide, you’ll learn all about where a PharmD can take you and how pharmacists are changing the landscape of healthcare.
Don’t miss out on this valuable resource!
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Ready to start your PharmD journey today? Apply now!
