How to Be Retail Pharmacist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Feb 22, 2021 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The ever-increasing costs of health care and prescription medications have led to a dramatic rise in the demand for retail pharmacists. As a result, more and more pharmacies are hiring retail pharmacists to manage their prescription services and assist customers with their medication. Retail pharmacists possess extensive knowledge in medication safety, drug interactions, and patient counseling, making them essential members of the healthcare team.

In addition, they are responsible for verifying prescription orders, managing inventory levels, and ensuring medications are accurately dispensed. The role of the retail pharmacist is critical to delivering quality healthcare services to the public, improving patient outcomes and reducing medical costs.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a High School Diploma or GED. To become a retail pharmacist, one must first obtain a high school diploma or GED.
Earn a Bachelors Degree. After obtaining a high school diploma or GED, aspiring retail pharmacists will need to earn a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university. Typically, students will pursue a degree in pharmacy, chemistry, biology or a related field.
Pass the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT). In order to be accepted into a pharmacy school, students will need to take and pass the PCAT. This is a standardized test designed to assess a students knowledge of the sciences and other topics related to pharmacy.
Complete an Accredited Pharmacy School Program. Once accepted into pharmacy school, students will need to complete an accredited program in order to become a retail pharmacist. Programs typically last four years and include coursework in pharmacology, physiology, anatomy and other related topics.
Obtain a Pharmacist License. In order to practice as a retail pharmacist, one must obtain a state-issued license. To do this, one must pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX). Once passed, the student must also pass the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE).
Obtain Work Experience. Most retail pharmacists will need to gain work experience before they can find jobs in the field. This can be done through internships, externships and apprenticeships. Work experience will help aspiring pharmacists gain valuable skills and develop relationships with potential employers.
Start Working as a Retail Pharmacist. Once all of the above steps have been completed, aspiring retail pharmacists can begin looking for jobs. Most retail pharmacies will require applicants to have at least one year of experience in a hospital or retail setting.

The role of a retail pharmacist is an important one, as they are the bridge between a patient's health care needs and the medications available to them. This responsibility requires reliable and qualified pharmacists to ensure that patients receive the correct medication and the appropriate information to use it safely. As a result, many states have enacted regulations that require pharmacists to have a certain level of education and training before they can be licensed.

Furthermore, pharmacists must continually update their knowledge and stay up-to-date on new drugs, drug interactions, and regulations. With proper qualifications, a retail pharmacist can provide patients with the highest standards of care, ensuring their safety and well-being.

You may want to check Research Pharmacist, Consultant Pharmacist, and Managed Care Pharmacist for alternative.

Job Description

Dispense prescription medications according to doctors orders and pharmacy regulations.
Provide patient counseling on medication usage, drug interactions, side effects and other related issues.
Prepare and maintain patient profiles and medical records.
Review and process prescriptions using pharmacy computer software.
Receive, count and verify incoming medications.
Monitor inventory levels and order new medications as needed.
Assist customers with over-the-counter products and provide general information on health-related matters.
Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and standards of practice.
Maintain a safe and clean work environment.
Participate in professional development activities and continuing education opportunities.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of pharmaceutical laws, regulations, and standards.
Excellent customer service and communication skills.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to multi-task and prioritize tasks.
Knowledge of drug interactions and contraindications.
Knowledge of medical terminology and drug names.
Knowledge of safety protocols for handling and storage of medications.
Skill in accurately entering patient information into prescription software systems.
Ability to provide effective patient counseling for medication use.
Ability to accurately calculate dosages and administer medications.
Ability to detect and respond to errors in prescriptions.
Knowledge of insurance coverage policies and billing procedures for medications.

Having strong communication skills is essential for a retail pharmacist to be successful in their role. Communication is critical for a pharmacist to accurately explain medication instructions and respond to patient inquiries. A pharmacist must be able to clearly explain how a medication works, potential side effects, and other important information.

Through effective communication, a pharmacist can ensure that their patients understand the proper use of their medications. it is essential for a pharmacist to have good customer service skills in order to build relationships with patients and provide the best possible care. Good customer service skills will enable the pharmacist to properly address questions and concerns from customers and build trust with them.

Furthermore, strong organizational skills are also important as a retail pharmacist needs to be able to accurately manage inventory and keep track of daily tasks. An organized pharmacy will help to ensure that prescriptions are filled quickly and efficiently. Finally, retail pharmacists need to have a deep understanding of the legal and ethical responsibilities associated with the dispensing of medications.

By possessing these skills, a retail pharmacist can provide quality care and build meaningful relationships with their patients.

Emergency Room Pharmacist, Nuclear Pharmacist, and Veterinary Pharmacist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have working in a retail pharmacy setting?
What do you believe are the most important qualities for a retail pharmacist to possess?
How do you stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends and changes?
How do you handle customer complaints or difficult situations?
Describe a time when you have provided excellent customer service in a pharmacy setting.
How do you prioritize tasks and manage your time effectively?
How do you handle difficult questions about medications from customers?
What steps would you take to ensure accuracy in filling prescriptions?
Describe your experience with different pharmacy software systems.
What are your thoughts on the importance of continuing education for retail pharmacists?

Common Tools in Industry

Electronic Prescription Management System. Used to manage, track, and fill prescriptions. (eg: Rx30)
Drug Database Software. Used to look up information on drugs, including dosages, interactions, and side effects. (eg: RxOutreach)
Point of Sale System. Used to process customer sales and payments. (eg: Square)
Inventory Management System. Used to track and manage inventory levels in the pharmacy. (eg: Retail Pro)
Automated Dispensing System. Used to prepare and dispense medications quickly and accurately. (eg: Parata Max)
Label Printing System. Used to print labels for medications and other products. (eg: Zebra)
Patient Counselling Software. Used to provide patients with educational materials related to their medications. (eg: Meducation)
Third-Party Reimbursement System. Used to manage third-party payments for prescriptions. (eg: Express Scripts)

Professional Organizations to Know

National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS)
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP)
American Pharmacists Association (APhA)
International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP)
American Society for Automation in Pharmacy (ASAP)
National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)
National Pharmaceutical Association (NPA)
American Pharmaceutical Association (APA)
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)

We also have Industrial Pharmacist, Clinical Research Pharmacist, and Staff Pharmacist jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Prescription. A written order from a licensed medical professional to fill a specific medication for a specific patient.
Dispensing. The process of providing a medication from a pharmacy to the patient.
Drug Formulary. A list of medications that are approved for use by a health insurance plan or pharmacy benefit manager.
Drug Interactions. An interaction between two or more drugs that may change the effects of the drugs on the body.
Pharmacy Compounding. Customizing medications to meet the specific needs of patients, such as changing the dosage form or strength.
Medication Therapy Management (MTM). A process that involves reviewing a patient's medications and providing education and support to ensure the medications are used properly and safely.
Compliance Packaging. Pre-packaged medication doses that are given to patients in order to ensure they take their medications correctly.
Clinical Services. Services provided by pharmacists that are aimed at improving patient outcomes, such as providing disease state management or drug use reviews.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Retail Pharmacist?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for a Retail Pharmacist in 2019 was $128,090 per year.

What is the job outlook for a Retail Pharmacist?

The job outlook for Retail Pharmacists is expected to grow by 3% from 2019-2029, faster than the average of all occupations.

What are the duties of a Retail Pharmacist?

The primary duties of a Retail Pharmacist include filling prescriptions, providing medication information to patients, monitoring patient health and progress, and managing inventory.