1. Who Wants to be a pharmacist?
Brandon Samson, PharmD, MPW
Medical Writer, Strategic Scientific Communications, Vaniam Group

2. Disclaimer/ acknowledgements
Thanks to Dr. James Scott, PharmD, M.Ed., for permission to adapt content from his presentation “Career Options for US Pharmacists”

4. Community pharmacy/hospital pharmacy
The most common career route of pharmacy students
Most students go into Community right out of school, after licensure
Independent ownership
Business background (formal training not required), start-up money
Provide unique services (compounding, vaccinations, medication therapy management, etc…)
Hospital Pharmacy
Duties are usually split between clinical and dispensing
Currently, many hospitals require some level of post- graduate training

5. Managed care/uniformed services
Managed Care Pharmacy
Usually not engaged in direct patient care
Focuses more on the cost management of medication management
Can provide good information and develop important clinical pathways
Uniformed (Public Health) Service
Military, Public Health Service (PHS)
Usually provide direct patient care (clinical and/or dispensing)
Can regularly relocate to exotic locations, not-so-exotic locations

6. Long-term care/ consultant/ hospice & home care
Nursing homes or similar environments
Usually slower pace than hospitals or community pharmacies
Many companies will provide medications to several long-term care facilities
Consultant Pharmacy
Similar to long-term care but focuses more on clinical care and medication therapy management
Usually paid “per chart reviewed”
Hospice & Home Care
Intravenous medications and pain management
Sometimes deal with clinical aspects of care, but usually very focused
Usually do not visit homes (delivery services bring products to homes and nurses administer)
Does not usually require post-graduate training

7. Government agencies/industry
FDA, CDC, NIH, others
Research, drug reviews, post-surveillance marketing, etc.
Post-graduate training usually required
Pharmaceutical Industry
Variety of positions, some require post-graduate training, others don’t
Drug rep – can do right out of school
Medical/Clinical liaison – usually requires post-graduate training
Research (clinical or computer-based)– usually requires post-graduate training, many companies offer post-grad training programs
Medical information (drug information)

8. Medical writing/ professional associations
Medical & Scientific Publishing
Not patient care oriented
Could be a part-time position
Often work from home
Trade & Professional Associations
Can work for any of the large associations (ASHP, ACCP, AACP, etc…)

9. Where do I start? Education Background Community Service Communication
Science (biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology), math, English, speech
Background
Diverse education and life experiences
Community Service
Volunteer and/or pharmacy experience
Communication
Oral and written skills
Professional Involvement
Knowledge of the field in which you hope to practice
Move the profession forward

10. Questions?