On the surface, daily routines of Pharmacists may appear to be rather simplified and involves little work hazard and responsibilities. As pharmacists dispense prescribed drug and medicine by doctors or dentists, they may provide assistance to those who seeks help with non-prescribed products. This is a correct yet very generalized view of pharmacist, this career interacts with many different industries. As an example, technology plays key role for pharmacist.
Computer skill enables individual to make use of computer database constructed for patients prescriptions, thus ensuring efficient service and preventing potential risks such as harmful drug interaction. Pharmacist has many affiliations other then just Doctors and its medical organizations; pharmacists are required in numerous fields for selection and use of drugs. This career branch itself out to many different opportunities such as research, education and training. Not just your neighbourhood pharmacist.
This essay will explore many aspects of this profession, starting with job description. The typical tasks for the occupation of pharmacist and the relationship to required aptitudes are as follows. Their training and credentials allows them to handle general task like compounding and dispense of prescribed pharmaceutical products. Customer interaction on the selection and use of non-prescription medications often requires verbal and communication skills. Needless to say, they face many numerical challenges, thus mathematical prowess is more of necessity then asset.
Visual perception receives extra attention as comparison and screening is exercised when preparing pharmaceutical compounds. Clerical organizational skill is demonstrated as they maintain medical profiles of customers, and to keep up with many different aspects such as registry of poisons, narcotics, and other controlled drugs. This occupation requires methodical, innovative, and directive interest because it involves working with precision. Ensuring proper storage of vaccines, serums, biological and other pharmaceutical products for the purpose of preventing damage and deterioration.
They also gather and examine pharmaceutical products, advises customers and health care professionals on the administration, uses, and effects of medications, drugs and contra-indications. The directive interest is used for instructing pharmacy staff, supervising and co-coordinating the activities of other pharmacists, pharmacy assistants, and pharmacy technicians. The majority of licensed pharmacists work in community pharmacy, where they are respected member of society whom community rely on for health and well-being.
However, pharmacists work environment can be very different as there are many classifications. From an independently owned pharmacy, franchise drug store, unit within a department store, division of supermarket, and inside a clinic or hospital. While job descriptions may vary to certain degree depending on the job title or environment, many of routines are followed in same fashion. Licensed pharmacists working in a hospital are generally involved in the development of new medicines and dosage controls and forms.
Their main emphasis is research based, as they study how medicines combat disease and analyze its side effects, and evaluating the social and economic factors as well. However, the general duties are very similar to a community pharmacist working in a supermarket. Biggest difference would be that not every division or department is dedicated to direct interaction with customers or patients. Hospital pharmacists help patients with drug information, and help organization to select and purchase necessary equipments.
Also the pharmacist in charge often decides drug distribution method. Brief listing of other activities are patient seminars, co-operation with physicians and nurses to provide patient care, counselling patients before the discharge, and monitoring drug therapy while in and after leaving the hospital. Government sector involving public health concerns often hire pharmacists in field of investigative, toxicology laboratories, inspection, and health supplies officer or in the armed forces. These careers are involved with all municipal, provincial and federal levels.
The army services provide positions for pharmacists in military hospitals both in Canada and overseas. Pharmacists are commissioned as officers and able to hold a rank from second lieutenant to lieutenant colonel. The provincial and federal governments require pharmacists to supervise the schedule and distribution of poisons and narcotics, and manage various drug plans and health care programs in nation-wide level. Pharmacists can be employed at public organizations such as Health Canada, the Provincial Ministries of Drug Program Branches, and Forensic laboratories.
Many factors come into play when it comes to differentiating the salary level among Pharmacists. Location, size of the organization, type of employer, education level and experience of the pharmacist, and the duties and responsibilities of the position are variables that influence the salary. Latest figure released is the net self employment income in 1997, which shows that full-time and full year workers in the age group of twenty to twenty nine earns $57,693 for pharmacist group who earn the highest; $47,303 for the average earning pharmacist group; and $39,003 for pharmacist group who earn the lowest.
In the age group of thirty to thirty- nine, the salaries are $65,991 for the highest earning group, $53,922 for the average earning group, and $41,129 for the lowest earning group. In the age group of forty to forty- nine, the salaries are $67,151 for the highest earning group, $55,972 for average earning group, and $40,026 for the lowest earning group, according to Job Futures from Human Resources development Canada. College/University offering this program The only school offering pharmaceutical studies in Ontario is The University of Toronto.
This program requires some university studies. Biochemistry is considered to be an appropriate basic background program, which will allow all the requirement courses to be completed. Biochemistry is offered at number of Universities in Ontario: Brock University, Carleton University, University of Guelph, Laurentian University, McMaster University, University of Ottawa, Queens University, University of Toronto, (also at Missisauga and Scarborough Campus), Western University, University of Windsor, York University, and University of Waterloo.
According to the University of Waterloo calendar, to be accepted to Biochemistry which offers both regular and co-op program, require an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with at least six OACs (Ontario Academic Courses) including Calculus, Chemistry OAC, Physics OAC, one of Algebra and Geometry, or Finite Mathematics. At least one high school computer science course is recommended as well as an Admission Information Form.
For a regular program, an average of mid-70s in six OACs is required, and an average of high-70s for co-op program. For the admission for the Faculty of Pharmacy at University of Toronto, at least one full year of study at the university level must be successfully completed, with seven specified required subjects at the OAC or university level.
The required subjects are English OAC1, Biology OAC, or university level, Physics OAC or university level, Chemistry at university level, some Physical Chemistry at university level, a semester of Organic Chemistry with at least forty two hours of laboratory experience, Calculus at university level, plus two full course in areas in Humanities, or Social Science, which one of two must be taken at the university level.
An increasing university average of at least sixty five percent is required for the admission of the applicants. However, the minimum acceptable average in the final selections will be at least seventy percent. Also, Faculty of Pharmacy Admission Profile Form is required, which consists of two parts, part one of the Profile Form — the Test of Critical Skills, in an essay format, and part two of the Profile Form, which includes the investigation of the profession.
