Pharmacist Job
What is a Pharmacist?
Pharmacists are health professionals who practice pharmacy. Pharmacists typically take an order for medicines from a physician in the form of a medical prescription and dispense the medication to the patient.
What does a Pharmacist Do?
If you are considering a career in pharmacy, the answer to this first question is very important. Many of you believe that in general, pharmacists spend their days behind a counter in a pharmacy, counting tablets and capsules and giving advice to their customers. You may be surprised to learn that today and over the past few years, the practice of pharmacy has shifted its focus dramatically to activities which have everything to do with the patient.
Today's pharmacists strive to work with their patients to determine what the patient's needs are and what care should be provided in order to best meet these needs. This is called "pharmaceutical care", and it is all about identifying, resolving and preventing medication-related problems.
In other words, pharmacists serve society as professionals who are responsible for the optimal use of drugs. This means that the pharmacist's primary responsibility is to individual patients. The ultimate goal of pharmaceutical care is to improve an individual patient's quality of life. This is achieved by working with the patient to determine if any drug-related needs exist which are preventing the patient from attaining their desired quality of life and then meeting those needs.
Where Do Pharmacists Work?
Another common misconception about pharmacists is that they all work in pharmacies! While many do, there are numerous practice sites to choose from, once you are a licensed pharmacist. The list below will identify some of the most common areas of practice; the variety of opportunities is endless! For instance, one you are licensed you can work in any of the following areas:
Community
Community pharmacists work in a variety of locations including neighborhood pharmacies, medical buildings, chain pharmacies and in large department stores. These pharmacists are frequently the first contact in the health care system and as such, are critical to ensuring that patients receive optimal drug therapy. Community practice also entails management of a business, which many pharmacists find challenging and rewarding. An independent community pharmacy owner put it this way: "I enjoy giving very personalized service to our patients; I know most of them as well as their doctors do. I also enjoy the business aspects of being an owner."
Hospitals and Other Institutions
Many Canadian pharmacists are employed in hospitals and related health institutions. Their role is critical to ensuring that patients in hospitals, frequently on complicated and potentially toxic medications, receive safe and effective therapy. This practice area offers opportunities to interact with other health professionals, the potential for significant intervention in patient care and the chance to be involved in research and education.
Industry
The Pharmaceutical Industry in Canada works to discover, develop, manufacture and market prescription and nonprescription medicines, providing challenging environments where pharmacists can utilize their skills and education and make valuable contributions to society. Positions range from sales and marketing to clinical research to professional relations opportunities. Frequently, pharmacists in industry are involved in development of drug information materials used to educate other pharmacists, physicians and patients.
Government
Pharmacists in government deal with the laws affecting drug products and pharmacy practice. They work for the federal or provincial governments or for the provincial licensing bodies responsible for ensuring that pharmacists practice according to the law. These licensing bodies exist to protect the public.
Education and Research
Careers in the Pharmacy Schools at Canadian universities provide emphasis in three main areas - teaching, research and community service. Pharmacy professors have the satisfaction of developing the pharmacists of tomorrow, of contributing to the profession through work with pharmacy associations and continuing education. Pharmacists in this field usually have advanced degrees such as a Master's Degree, Doctor of Philosophy or Doctor of Pharmacy.
Career Opportunities
Pharmacy jobs are in big demand; including clinical and hospital pharmacy jobs. Our Pharmacy Recruiters specialize in assisting pharmacists find pharmacy jobs with the most successful pharmacies across the nation, and provide pharmacy career consultations to recent pharmacy graduates.
Licensing in Canada
Following graduation from the University program, there are licensure requirements that must be met before one can practice.
In order to become a licensed pharmacist in Canada, you need:
- A bachelor's degree in Pharmacy from a Canadian University. To access the list of Canadian Universities please visit www.pharmacists.ca
- You will also need to complete the national board examination, the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC)
- Practical experience through an apprenticeship/internship program
- A particular level of fluency in English or French
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