What Does a Pharmacist Do? Job Duties, Salary, and More
What Does a Pharmacist Do? Job Duties, Salary, and More
Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on Nov 29, 2023
A pharmacist is a healthcare professional who prepares and dispenses medications needed to treat illnesses and improve patient quality of life. Learn how to become a pharmacist, as well as what paths you can take once you’ve earned your pharmacy degree.
Becoming a pharmacist can be a fulfilling and lucrative health care career. While many people may first think of doctors and nurses when considering health care jobs, pharmacists are just as important for treating patients' illnesses and advising them on their health concerns.
At their core, pharmacists are experts in the science of medicine. They ensure patients receive the correct dosage of life-saving prescriptions, advise other health care professionals on pharmacology, and are able to identify when one drug is dangerous or interacts with another. Some pharmacists go a step further to offer
In this article, you'll learn more about pharmacists, including what they do, how much they earn, and how to become one. At the end, you'll even explore cost-effective, flexible courses that can help you gain job-relevant skills today.
What is a pharmacist?
A pharmacist is a health care professional specializing in the usage and administration of medication. They dispense prescriptions to patients upon receiving a physician's orders. Pharmacists are experts on how drugs work and interact with the body so that patients who take them achieve the best possible results.
Most pharmacists are community pharmacists who work in drug stores, grocery stores, big box stores, and private pharmacies, including those who distribute over mail order. Other pharmacists work in-house at hospitals and other health care facilities serving patients. In addition to ensuring patients receive their medication, you may also answer questions and help educate both patients and other health care professionals on how certain drugs interact or the side effects they may have on the body or mind.
What does a pharmacist do?
As a pharmacist, your main task will be filling prescriptions for patients. You’ll likely perform other tasks on a daily basis, including:
Checking a customer's history to ensure their new medications won't interfere with their old ones
Giving vaccines, like the flu shot
Testing a customer's blood sugar, cholesterol level, or blood pressure
Teaching customers how to take their medicine safely and effectively
Consulting with doctors and other health care professionals about prescriptions for specific customers
Providing basic wellness screenings
Managing the pharmacy, including pharmacy techs and assistants
Negotiating with insurance providers
Maintaining customer records
Recommending over-the-counter medication
Providing basic health advice on topics like stress management, nutrition, how to stop smoking, and other lifestyle changes
Manager of Recruitment - Health Care Information Management at Omega Healthcare
3wFantastic role!