This post provides detailed information on the retail pharmacist career, including how to get into the career, the various opportunities available, and the benefits of becoming a retail pharmacist.
How to Become a Retail Pharmacist
If you are interested in becoming a retail pharmacist, you must meet nearly all of the same standards whether you want to work as a retail pharmacist or a hospital pharmacist.
Pharmacists must acquire a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, or Pharm.D. which takes four years of undergraduate study followed by four years of doctoral study.
Pharm.D. schools need internships, and individuals interested in working as a retail pharmacist must also complete a two-year residency.
The residency may also allow you to further specialize in areas such as geriatric care.
Retail pharmacists must receive a license after completing their study in order to work legally.
This includes passing a national exam, a state exam, and any other licensing requirements.
Certifications may be required in addition to these basic prerequisites to perform specialized tasks.
For example, retail pharmacists who want to administer vaccines in several states must be certified.
Retail Pharmacist Career Opportunities
A retail pharmacist can grow their career into different roles, such as:
- Pharmacist Manager
A pharmacist manager is a licensed pharmacist who is responsible for all of the pharmacists, technicians, and sales employees of a retail pharmacy store.
The manager schedules shifts, performs inspections, manages group meetings, and reviews reports from the technicians, sales team, and customers.
- Pharmaceutical Production Supervisor
A pharmaceutical production supervisor operates machinery that mixes ingredients to produce pharmaceuticals for sale.
This role requires an individual who is knowledgeable about pharmaceuticals and how they are produced.
- Director of Retail Pharmacy Services
A director of retail pharmacy services has the responsibility to ensure that customers are treated effectively and that rules are followed.
These individuals have a high level of responsibility and may have a team beneath them. They will do an audit of their store on an annual basis to see if it needs updated or adding to.
- Director of Retail Pharmacy Operations
A director of retail pharmacy operations is responsible for the employees or help in managing the smooth running and productivity in their pharmacy store.
They must also ensure that any rules or regulations are met and that the store is well stocked with resources.
- Director of Specialty Pharmacy Services
A director of specialty pharmacy services is responsible for overseeing all operations of specialty pharmacy services.
These are specialized drugstores or hospitals that offer medication to patients who have a wide variety of needs.
More Retail Pharmacist Career Opportunities
- Consultant and Trainer
A consultant and trainer help retailers, other consultants, and pharmacists to better run their business by providing them with advice.
They must be knowledgeable about the retail industry and have a strong understanding of how it works.
They are also responsible for training new employees and informing them on how to work in the pharmacy.
- Director of Technical Services
A director of technical services oversees all aspects of technical services in a retail pharmacy store.
This includes ensuring that they are stocked with the proper equipment, medications and supplies.
It is their responsibility to ensure that everything is kept together and ready for use.
- Executive Pharmacist
An executive pharmacist is a pharmacist who is a registered pharmacist and has a high level of experience.
They are in a leadership role and can direct their department employees to do the right things.
They are also responsible for overseeing any new employees that join the company.
- Vice President, Marketing and Support
A vice president, marketing and support promotes the retail pharmacy store and assists with marketing campaigns, advertising and customer service issues that arise.
They are also responsible for keeping all of their records up to date.
Challenges faced by Retail Pharmacists on the Job
Some of the challenges retail pharmacists may face in carrying out their duties and responsibilities include:
- Work Environment
A retail pharmacy is an environment that is constantly changing. One must work to keep their prices competitive with other drugstore, while also providing the same products.
It can be hard to stay ahead of the game while also satisfying all of the customers who need their services.
2. Work Stress
The workplace can be stressful if one is not happy. The employees can get upset at customers who swear at them or who are being rude.
There may also be prescription errors that come up, which can end up causing headaches for the employee and the customer, and they will have to work together to figure out what went wrong.
3. Work Hours
The work hours for a retail pharmacist are long as they are required to come in early and stay late as it is their responsibility to make sure everything runs smoothly at all times.
As a retail pharmacist, one must be constantly thinking about how to keep everyone satisfied with their services and products without letting them down by making any mistakes.
Major Benefits of a Retail Pharmacist Career
Some of the benefits of a retail pharmacist career are:
- Good Salary
Retail pharmacist is one of the highest paying jobs in the U.S.
Pharmacists earn an average annual salary of $114,490. Employment is expected to grow much faster than average due to the growing number of retirements.
- Job Security
The job security for a retail pharmacist is good as the pharmacy market is expanding and will continue to do so for many years to come.
- High Earning Potential
Retail pharmacists earn a good income. According to the BLS, retail pharmacy technicians make an average annual income of $35,750.
The top 10% of pharmacists earn $130,430 or more if employed full-time.
The top 25% make over $92,000 if employed full-time and have less than 10 months of experience with the company.
- Having a Good Work Environment
Retail pharmacists have a good work environment. They get to meet new people every day, and they also have good working relationships with their co-workers.
- Good Benefits
The benefits for retail pharmacists are very good. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an employee can expect to receive health insurance, paid vacation, sick leave, and other benefits.
- Promotion Opportunities
Promotion opportunities will come your way if your job performance is satisfactory.
A career with a retail pharmacy offers promotion opportunities as a pharmacist can move up in the company by performing well and learning new skills or technology that is needed for the company.
- Learning New Skills and Technologies
A retail pharmacist will learn new skills and technologies as it is their responsibility to keep themselves updated with the current technologies and skills related to pharmacy.
Conclusion
This post has provided important information you need to know about the retail pharmacist career to help you make the right decision about getting into it.