what is a pharmacist?
As a pharmacist, you handle prescriptions and guide customers on properly using medications. You fill prescriptions issued by healthcare professionals. You explain the possible side effects of the drugs and advise patients on alternatives if the medicines are unavailable.
A pharmacist typically works in a chemist's shop dispensing prescription medication. You help customers choose over-the-counter medicines for minor ailments. As a pharmacist, you answer health-related questions, from inquiries about various drugs to methods of use. Some pharmacists also work in hospitals and research facilities. Pharmacists' careers have evolved from a historical focus on the distribution of medicines to an emphasis on safe and rational drug use. They provide a pharmaceutical service that revolves around preventative health care and monitoring medication use.
The provision of pharmaceutical care relies on understanding the characteristics of medications, from dosage formulations to the dispersal of drugs in the body. It would help if you understood drugs' interactions with the human body to determine their effects. The personal attributes necessary for pharmacists include compassion and genuine care for patients. It is also essential to be accurate to avoid administering the wrong medication.
pharmacist jobsaverage pharmacist salary
The average salary of a pharmacist is $95,000 per year. The actual remuneration package depends on experience and level of education. For instance, entry-level pharmacists make $85,000 annually, while experienced workers earn over $105,000 yearly. Aside from education and experience level, pharmacists' salaries depend on various factors. For instance, pharmacists working in hospitals have a different salary structure than those in retail stores. Working in the private sector can increase your salary potential compared to working in public hospitals. The size of the organisation you work for also determines your remuneration package. When you work for a large chain of chemists, you are likely to earn more than pharmacists working in small retail shops.
With additional qualifications, your skills become valuable, and employers are willing to pay more. For instance, having a master's education improves your remuneration prospects. Gaining additional experience also improves your salary prospects. With expertise, you can handle challenging cases, help more patients and negotiate a higher salary.
Want to know what you will earn as a pharmacist? Check out what you are worth with our salary checker.
types of pharmacists
Some of the types of pharmacists include:
• community pharmacists: you work in chemist shops and pharmacy counters in larger shops. Your job is to administer medications to patients based on their prescriptions. You also answer their questions about over-the-counter medication and explain the side effects. Sometimes, you provide primary care, like administering flu jabs.
• clinical pharmacists: you work in hospitals and other healthcare settings to dispense medication and provide patient care. You may go on rounds with doctors and healthcare teams. Your job is to recommend the drugs to administer to patients and oversee the medication dosage and delivery times. Clinical pharmacists also conduct some medical tests.
• academic pharmacists: you research medicines and publish articles on new types of drugs for various diseases. You also lecture trainee pharmacists and mentor them by supervising their practice.
working as a pharmacist
Working as a pharmacist is an exciting role that involves administering medication doctors prescribe. Explore the daily duties, responsibilities and work environments associated with the role.
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pharmacist job description
Some of the tasks of a pharmacist include:
• dispensing medicines: as a pharmacist, you receive prescriptions from doctors and dispense medications to patients. You also advise patients on their prescriptions. For instance, you provide necessary information to help patients understand what their medications do and instructions for taking them correctly.
• working with physicians: when working in a clinic or healthcare setting, you recommend medications to treat various conditions. You also supervise the administration and delivery times of the drugs to improve patients' well-being. You review prescriptions from healthcare professionals and ensure no contraindications with other medications the patient is taking or allergies.
• maintaining inventory: When working in a chemist shop or a pharmacy counter in a large shop, you maintain an inventory of the medicines. You record the medication you dispense daily and ensure the shelves are stocked with essential drugs.
• advising patients on over-the-counter medications: you assist customers with minor ailments in finding the necessary drugs. Some pharmacists administer immunisations, like giving patients flu jabs and other vaccinations.
• completing paperwork: as a pharmacist, you complete the paperwork after dispensing medications and keep track of repeat prescriptions to ensure patients don't abuse drugs. You also manage payments for prescriptions when necessary.
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work environment
Pharmacists work indoors in hospitals, retail stores or chemist shops. In hospitals, you work alongside other health professionals and spend the day on your feet. When working at a chemist or pharmacy counter, you stand to serve customers but spend less time on your feet.
As a pharmacist, you wear a lab coat when serving customers and use gloves and masks when examining patients or administering treatment. When you work in community health centres, you work outdoors during outreach programs. Since pharmacists are healthcare professionals, they provide medical services in person.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer and industry, your colleagues might include pharmacy managers and pharmacy assistants. You might also be working close to doctors, nurses and pediatricians, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, pharmacy technicians, midwives and chemists.
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work schedule
The work schedule of pharmacists depends on the employer. In hospitals, you are likely to work 12-hour shifts like other healthcare professionals in full-time roles. However, pharmacists in retail stores and chemist shops work regular business hours unless it is a 24-hour chemist. You occasionally work weekends and public holidays. Some employers offer flexible working arrangements and part-time positions.
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job outlook
A newly qualified pharmacist rotates various pharmaceutical roles, from community to clinical pharmacy or clinical trials. When you gain experience in rotational positions, you specialise in a preferred pharmacy practice like cardiology, paediatric care, procurement, and distribution. As your knowledge in the field advances, you progress to supervisory and managerial roles. Some pharmacists become researchers or consultants, while others become lecturers.
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advantages of finding a pharmacist job through randstad
Finding your pharmacist job through Randstad provides essential benefits such as the following:
• a wide variety of training and development opportunities
• an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
• a range of opportunities in your area
• get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
• temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a pharmacist is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers every year thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.
education and skills
If you want to be a pharmacist, some of the qualifications you require include the following:
- academic qualifications: to become a pharmacist, complete a bachelor's degree like a bachelor of pharmacy. You gain entry to the degree course by completing Year 12 and getting the required Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR). Alternatively, you can do an Undergraduate Preparation Program (UPP) to gain admission into university. Full-time study for the degree takes four years, and you can improve your qualifications with a masters in pharmacy which takes an additional 2 years.
- experience: when you complete your degree course, get a provisional registration with the Pharmacy Board of Australia. It is also necessary to complete an internship under a registered pharmacist and the requisite intern training program recommended by the Australian Pharmacy Council (APC). When you pass the required written and oral exams, you can apply for registration as a pharmacist.
pharmacist skills and competencies
Some of the skills required for the role include:
- accuracy: as a pharmacist, you dispense medication to patients as a health professional prescribes. You are expected to dispense medication accurately. Aside from administering medication, providing instructions for using the medicine and explaining possible risks or interactions to patients is vital. Since you handle multiple medications, accuracy helps you meet the patients' requirements and administer the correct dosage.
- clinical knowledge: as a pharmacist, having extensive clinical pharmaceutical knowledge is crucial. You must maintain a comprehensive understanding of the field and the current clinical theories. Clinical knowledge helps you understand the purposes of various medications and recommend alternatives to patients if necessary.
- communication skills: you require exceptional communication skills to interact with patients. Your job is communicating the medication's proper use and possible interactions and risks. Proper communication ensures that the patient doesn't misuse the prescription.
- problem-solving skills: as a pharmacist, you need critical thinking skills to analyse each situation and provide the best solution. Critical thinking skills help you solve problems arising from wrong prescriptions and the adverse effects of medications. Critical thinking lets you analyse a patient's medical history and find the best alternative drug.
FAQs about working as a pharmacist
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of a pharmacist.
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what is the responsibility of a pharmacist?
As a pharmacist, you distribute medicine to hospital patients or customers in chemist shops. Aside from dispensing medicine, you advise individuals on how to take the medication and provide details on the side effects and risks. You also perform various clerical duties, like keeping track of the medicines in stock.
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are pharmacists well-paid?
A pharmacist earns an average remuneration package of $95,000 per year. When starting in the role, your remuneration begins at $85,000 annually. As you improve your experience and qualifications, your earnings increase to over $105,000 annually. Your salary depends on your level of education and experience.
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what is the demand for pharmacists?
Becoming a pharmacist in Australia is an in-demand profession. It is an exciting role with attractive career prospects and a projected job growth of 9% in the next five years. As a pharmacist, you can improve your experience and progress to more senior roles in the medical profession.
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what are the requirements for becoming a pharmacist?
Becoming a pharmacist requires an accredited university degree. You can pursue a degree in pharmacy and complete the internship training program and supervised practice. You become a certified pharmacist when you pass the registration exam and oral test.
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how do I apply for a pharmacist vacancy?
Applying for a pharmacist job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for vacancies in your area. Then send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.
