1. HEALTH CAREER PROJECT Alena Souza Period 3 March 28,1014

2. THE PHARMACIST PROFESSION

3. EDUCATION/TRAINING NEEDED -Pharmacists are required to have a doctorate of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree. -A four-year pharmacy program after successfully completing two years of undergraduate coursework and earning a passing score on the PCAT (Pharmacy college admission test). - Coursework in pharmacy and pre-pharmacy includes chemistry, physics, biology, anatomy, and physiology. -Must complete a series of rotations in a variety of clinical and pharmaceutical settings. -Average PharmD program requires 7-10 rotations, each of which is 4-6 weeks -Many pharmacists have completed eight years of college. However, if you know what you want to do early, then it would take 6 years.

4. WORKING CONDITIONS - Work in pharmacies, (including those in grocery and drug stores), hospitals and clinics. -Pharmacists usually work in clean, well-lit and well-ventilated areas. -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. -Most full-time salaried pharmacists work about 43 hours a week.

5. TYPICAL DAY/TASKS PERFORMED -Dispense medications prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners. -Monitor their patients’ health. - Advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosages, interactions, and side effects of medications. -Know how to use clinical effects and composition of drugs, including their chemical, biological and physical properties. -Protect the public by ensuring drug purity and strength.

6. TRAITS YOU NEED -Kind -Math skills -Attention to detail -Patience -Optimist -Great talker -People person -Determined and dedicated worker.

7. PROJECTED OUTLOOK -Pharmacist jobs are expected to grow 14 percent from 2012 to 2022, (about as fast as the average for all occupations) *Increased demand for prescription medications will lead to more demand for pharmaceutical services.

8. PHARMACIST’S SALARY Average Pharmacist Pay -Pharmacists have one of the highest average salaries. -$114,950 in 2012. -They make about $34,000 more than the average physical therapist. -Make approximately $47,000 more than registered nurses. -They make $84,500 more than pharmacy technicians.

9. WHY??? Why this career?... This is a great career for me, because I love helping people and at the end of the day, I can be satisfied with knowing that I could be of assistance someone. I would be eager to get to work. I don’t appreciate gore and guts, but I can deal with pills and bills. I would succeed here, because I would be working with my hands and helping people with my heart. I would be especially happy putting my education to use everyday, because unlike high school, I would be using what I would be taught in college.

10. WEBSITES USED Http://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/pharmacist/salary http://healthcareers.about.com/od/healthcareerprofiles/p/PharmacistJobs.htm http://work.chron.com/qualities-pharmacists-need-8682.html http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacists.htm