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Profession: Pharmacy

Pharmacist: Pharmacists work closely with physicians and other health practitioners to ensure that patients are treated with the safest, most effective medications. Pharmacists routinely review medication orders, prescriptions, and medication profiles to help ensure appropriate drug selection, dose, and dosing schedule. They look for drug-drug and drug-food interactions that may be harmful. If a pharmacist identifies a drug-related problem or detects a potentially dangerous situation, she/he is responsible for notifying the doctor, patient, or both, and recommends potential alternatives.

Pharmacists with advanced training may collaborate with other providers to focus on direct patient care activities. These activities may include policy development or research rather than reviewing and approving prescription orders. They help make sure people can afford their medications, look at responses to drug therapies and address ways to minimize drug side effects.

Salary Range: $83,180 - $119,480

Salary Notes: Pharmacists typically earn between $83,180 and $119,480 (or more) a year.

Where you can study:
Albany College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Albany, NY
Albany College of Pharmacy - Vermont, Colchester, VT
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston, Boston, MA
Northeastern University Bouve College of Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Boston, MA
University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, Storrs, CT
University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy, Kingston, RI

Where you might work:
Clinics - Government Agencies - Home Health Care Agencies - Hospitals - Insurance Companies - Mail Order Pharmacy Companies - Pharmaceutical Companies - Retail Pharmacy Stores - Retail Store or Supermarket Pharmacy Departments - Universities -

Job Outlook: The demand for pharmacists is expected to be high through 2016 due to the increased needs for pharmaceuticals by a larger and aging population. Also, scientific advances will make more drug products available, while increasingly sophisticated consumers will be seeking more information about medications.

Education, Licensing and Certification: High school course work should include an emphasis on math and science, especially biology and chemistry. To practice in Vermont, as in other states, a doctoral degree is required. A Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D.) takes six years of postsecondary study and passing a licensing exam.

Professional Organizations:
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy 703-739-2330 www.aacp.org
American College of Clinical Pharmacy 913-492-3311 www.accp.com
American Pharmacists Association 202-628-4410 www.pharmacist.com
American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists 866-279-0681 www.ashp.org
National Association of Chain Drug Stores 703-549-3001 www.nacds.org