1. Chapter 10 Pharmacy – Pharmacist and Pharmacy Technician

2. Pharmacists

3. Pharmacists’ Work Description Advise health professionals and counsel patients on the proper selection and use of medicinal drugs, or pharmaceuticals Have specialized knowledge of the complexity and potential side effects of drugs May provide info on OTC (over-the-counter) or non-prescription drugs In hospitals, they advise on and prepare treatments for patients.

4. Many Types of Pharmacists Pharmacotherapists specialize in drug therapy and work closely with physicians. Nutrition support pharmacists help determine and prepare the drugs needed for nutrition. Radiopharmacists or nuclear pharmacists produce and dispense radioactive drugs that are used for diagnosis and therapy. Compounding pharmacist – create drugs from powders and solutions, make ointments; can create individualized dosages for patients depending on their needs.

5. Work Environment Pharmacists usually work in areas that resemble small laboratories. Pharmacists spend much time on their feet, most working at least full-time hours. When working with dangerous pharmaceutical products, pharmacists may need to wear gloves and masks and work with special protective equipment. Many Pharmacists may have to work evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays

6. Employment Opportunities Pharmacists held about 269,900 jobs in 2008. About 65% worked in retail settings, which include community pharmacies that were either independently owned or part of a drugstore chain, grocery store, etc. About 22% of pharmacists worked in hospitals. A small proportion worked in mail order and Internet pharmacies, pharmaceutical wholesalers, offices of physicians, and the federal government.

7. Educational and Legal Requirements Pharmacists must earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from a College of Pharmacy, accredited by the ACPE, and pass several examinations. –ACPE = Accreditation Counsel for Pharmacy Education Pharmacy Colleges typically require students to take an admissions (PCAT) exam.

8. Licensure for Pharmacists A license to practice pharmacy is required in all states, the District of Columbia, and all U.S. territories. National and state exams –NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam) –Most states require jurisprudence exams on pharmacy law

9. Other Qualifications Prospective pharmacists should: –possess scientific aptitude (aka math and biochemistry) –have good interpersonal skills –have a desire to help others –be conscientious and pay close attention to detail because the decisions they make affect human lives.

10. Advancement for Pharmacists In community pharmacies and chain drug stores pharmacists usually begin at the staff level. –May be promoted to pharmacy supervisor or manager at the store level –Then to manager at the district or regional level –Or…later, an executive position within the chain’s headquarters.

11. Advancement for Pharmacists Hospital pharmacists are typically required to complete a 1-2 yr residency. –may eventually advance to supervisory or administrative positions. Some pharmacists become owners or part owners of independent general pharmacies and compounding pharmacies Pharmacists in the pharmaceutical industry may advance into marketing, sales, research, quality control, production, or other areas.

12. Employment Trends Book states - employment is expected to increase much faster than the average through 2018. –current data suggests growth rate at 3% Current data here - http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacists.ht m

13. Earnings The median annual wage and salary of pharmacists in May 2008 was $106,410. –updated 2014 = $120,950

14. PHARMACY TECHNICIANS AND AIDES

15. Pharm Tech and Aides Work Description Pharmacy technicians and aides help licensed pharmacists prepare prescription medications, provide customer service, and perform administrative duties within a pharmacy setting. Pharmacy technicians generally are responsible for receiving prescription requests, counting tablets, stocking and labeling bottles Pharmacy aides perform administrative functions such as answering phones, stocking shelves, and operating cash registers. In organizations that do not have aides, however, pharmacy technicians may be responsible for these clerical duties.

16. Work Environment Pharmacy technicians and aides work in clean, organized, well-lighted, and well-ventilated areas. Most of their workday is spent on their feet. They may be required to lift heavy boxes or to use stepladders to retrieve supplies from high shelves. Technicians and aides often have varying schedules that include nights, weekends, and holidays.

17. Employment Opportunities Pharmacy technicians and aides held about 381,200 jobs in 2008. –326,300 were pharmacy technicians –54,900 were pharmacy aides –Pharm tech positions are projected to continue to take over pharm aide positions in most places About 75% of jobs were in a retail setting, and about 16% were in hospitals.

18. Educational and Legal Requirements For pharmacy technicians, there is no national training standard, but employers favor applicants who have formal training, certification and previous experience. For pharmacy aides, there also are no formal training requirements, but a high school diploma may be required

19. Certification and Other Qualifications In most states, pharmacy technicians must be registered with the state board of pharmacy. Eligibility requirements vary State of WA – see Canvas page for link to DOH site with requirements –formal training –pass national exam

20. Advancement Limited, but in large pharmacies and health systems, pharmacy technicians and aides with significant training or experience can be promoted to supervisory positions. Specializing - such as chemotherapy technician or nuclear pharmacy technician. Others may move into sales (drug reps) Some technicians and aides will substantially further their education and become Pharmacists.

21. Employment Change Updated: employment of pharmacy technicians and aides is expected to grow 9% from 2014 – 2024 Current info here - http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacy- technicians.htm#tab-1 Job opportunities for pharmacy technicians are expected to be good, especially for those with previous experience, formal training, or certification.

22. Job opportunities Pharmacy Tech jobs should continue to increase due to: –increased population of elderly –increased access to prescription drug coverage –increased incidence of chronic diseases requiring multiple medication management –increased scientific advances/research into new drugs

23. Earnings Updated 2014: The median annual wage for pharmacy technicians was $29,810 in May 2014. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $20,730 The highest 10 percent earned more than $43,900. State of WA, pharm techs earn more