Professions

Pharmacy

The science and practice of discovering, producing, preparing, dispensing, monitoring, and reviewing drugs.

Pharmaceutical services goal

To provide service to patients meeting their needs by enhancing pharmacy support for individual patients to achieve optimal medication outcomes.

Pharmacy career paths

Pharmacist, pharmacy tech, and pharmacy assistant.

Educational requirements for pharmacy careers

Pharmacist - Doctorate; Tech - High school diploma or GED; Assistant - Age requirement.

Licensure requirements for pharmacy careers

Pharmacist - Doctor of Pharmacy degree; Tech - 18 years or older, high school diploma, background check, formal training; Assistant - Over 18, basic training like HIV/AIDS.

Certification vs

Certification documents skills in a field, while licensure is legally required to work in specific industries.

Pharmacy practice branches

Academia, hospital, military, industry, wholesale, and government pharmacist.

Pharmacy personnel responsibilities

Pharmacist - dispense medication, provide information, deliver and label medication; Tech - compound medication, prepare prescriptions, intravenous admixtures; Assistant - operate cash register, answer calls, clerical work.

Pharmacy Technician national certification organizations

PTCB and APhA.

Pharmacist national certification test

NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination).

Drug control goal

Government control of drugs due to abuse potential or addiction risks.

Continuing education

Ongoing learning post-license or certification to enhance professional knowledge.

License renewal frequency

Every two years for pharmacy personnel.

Code of ethics

Set of values, principles, and standards guiding professionals' actions.

Professional organizations

e.g., American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, offering opportunities for skill development.