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

Oct 17, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

The increasing demand for healthcare services has caused a dramatic rise in the need for pharmacists. This in turn has caused a shortage of pharmacists, leading to longer wait times for patients seeking medication and medical advice. To address this shortage, hospitals, clinics and other healthcare providers are hiring more staff pharmacists who are responsible for ensuring that medications are prescribed and dispensed safely and correctly.

They also oversee medication inventory and are a crucial part of the healthcare team, providing essential information and advice to patients. With their help, the quality of healthcare services is greatly improved, resulting in better outcomes for the health of patients.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelors Degree. Prospective staff pharmacists must first earn a bachelors degree with a concentration in pharmacy or pharmaceutical sciences. These programs often include coursework in anatomy and physiology, chemistry, biology, pharmacology, and other related topics.
Complete a Pharmacy Program. After earning a bachelor's degree, individuals must then enroll in and complete a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D. ) program. These programs typically include both classroom instruction and hands-on experience in actual pharmacies.
Obtain a License. In order to work as a staff pharmacist, individuals must obtain licensure from their state's board of pharmacy. To be eligible for licensure, applicants must graduate from an accredited Pharm. D. program and pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX).
Pursue Certification. While certification is not required for staff pharmacists, it can increase an individual's job prospects and earning potential. The Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) offers several certifications in various specialty areas, including ambulatory care, nutrition support, oncology, and psychiatric pharmacy.
Seek Employment. After obtaining the necessary qualifications, prospective staff pharmacists can begin applying for jobs. These positions are often available in retail pharmacies, hospitals, and healthcare clinics.

The rising demand for pharmacists has been largely driven by the aging population, which is creating a greater need for prescription medication. As the population ages, the number of pharmacists has increased to meet this demand, resulting in a shortage of qualified and experienced professionals. To address this shortage, employers have been forced to look for experienced and capable candidates, making it increasingly difficult for new and inexperienced pharmacists to find employment.

This has led to an increase in competition for available positions and a need for pharmacists to demonstrate a high level of skill and knowledge in order to stand out. the ideal and capable pharmacist must possess technical proficiency, excellent communication skills, and an ability to interact with patients, as well as a commitment to providing quality care.

You may want to check Veterinary Pharmacist, Nuclear Pharmacist, and Managed Care Pharmacist for alternative.

Job Description

Ensure accurate and timely dispensing of medication orders
Ensure that all laws and regulations regarding the practice of pharmacy are met
Provide counseling and education to patients on their medications, side effects, and proper use
Maintain pharmacy inventory and order medications as needed
Verify prescription accuracy, dosage, drug interactions, and contraindications
Supervise pharmacy technicians and other staff members
Collaborate with physicians and other healthcare providers to optimize patient outcomes
Maintain patient confidentiality in accordance with HIPAA guidelines
Participate in continuing education programs to stay current on new medications and treatments
Perform quality assurance activities to ensure that medications are dispensed safely and accurately

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of pharmaceutical science, drug interactions, and side effects.
Ability to accurately interpret and fill prescriptions.
Excellent customer service and communication skills.
Ability to effectively manage workloads and prioritize tasks.
High level of accuracy and attention to detail.
Working knowledge of pharmacy software systems.
Knowledge of government regulations, policies, and procedures related to pharmacy operations.
Ability to work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals.
Ability to build relationships and foster trust with patients.
Ability to identify and resolve problems in a timely manner.

The ability to think critically and solve problems is an essential skill for any pharmacist. Its important to be able to assess a patients individual situation, weigh the benefits and risks of a particular treatment plan, and determine the best course of action. pharmacists must be able to effectively communicate with patients and other healthcare professionals about potentially complex topics.

They must also have a strong knowledge base in pharmacology, including understanding the potential side effects of different medications and how they interact with each other. Lastly, pharmacy management skills are necessary to ensure the accuracy and safety of all medications dispensed. All these abilities are essential for a successful pharmacist, as they are responsible for ensuring that patients receive the most appropriate medication for their condition.

Research Pharmacist, Psychiatric Pharmacist, and Compounding Pharmacist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in a pharmacy setting?
How did you handle difficult customer requests in your previous role?
Describe a difficult situation you faced in the workplace and how you overcame it.
What do you find most enjoyable about working as a pharmacist?
What challenges do you anticipate in this role?
Do you have any experience with electronic prescription systems?
Are you comfortable working with computers and technical systems?
How would you work with a team of other pharmacists and technicians?
What strategies do you have for providing excellent customer service?
How do you stay current on the latest developments in pharmacy practice?

Common Tools in Industry

Medication Reconciliation Software. This software allows staff pharmacists to ensure accurate and complete medication reconciliation for patients. (eg: Cerner MedReconcile)
Pharmacy Workflow System. This system helps staff pharmacists manage and optimize their daily workflow. (eg: ScriptPro SP Central)
Electronic Medical Record (EMR) System. This system enables staff pharmacists to access patient medical records quickly and efficiently. (eg: Epic EMR)
Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS). This system helps staff pharmacists make evidence-based clinical decisions. (eg: UpToDate CDSS)
Drug Information Database. This database provides staff pharmacists with comprehensive information about all approved drugs. (eg: Lexicomp Drug Information Database)
Automated Dispensing Systems. These systems allow staff pharmacists to dispense medications quickly and accurately. (eg: Pyxis ES, Omnicell XT)
Automated Packaging and Labeling Systems. These systems help staff pharmacists package and label medications quickly and accurately. (eg: McKesson Packaging and Labeling Systems)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Pharmacists Association (APhA)
National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)
National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS)
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP)
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)
Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP)
International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE)
American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS)
American Society for Pharmacy Law (ASPL)

We also have Hospital Pharmacist, Home Infusion Pharmacist, and Oncology Pharmacist jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Prescription. A written order from a physician, dentist, or other legally qualified medical practitioner authorizing a patient to be furnished a medicine or device to be used for medical purposes.
Dispense. The act of preparing and providing a prescription medication to a patient.
Drug Interactions. When two or more drugs interact with one another, the expected therapeutic effects of one or both drugs may be reduced or enhanced.
Pharmaceutical Care. The responsible provision of drug therapy for the purpose of achieving definite outcomes that improve a patient's quality of life.
Medication Therapy Management (MTM). A process for optimizing drug therapy and improving therapeutic outcomes.
Formulary. A list of medications that are approved for use in a particular healthcare setting or by a particular insurance provider.
Clinical Pharmacy. The practice of pharmacy that combines the science of pharmacology with the art of patient care to optimize medication use and improve patient outcomes.
Compounding. The preparation of personalized medications tailored to meet the specific needs of an individual patient.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications do I need to become a Staff Pharmacist?

To become a staff pharmacist, you must possess a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an accredited college of pharmacy and obtain a license from the state board of pharmacy in the state in which you plan to practice.

What are the primary responsibilities of a Staff Pharmacist?

The primary responsibilities of a staff pharmacist are to dispense medications, counsel patients on the proper use of medications, provide drug information to patients and healthcare professionals, and supervise pharmacy technicians.

What type of salary can a Staff Pharmacist expect?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average salary for a staff pharmacist in 2019 was $128,090 per year.

What is the job outlook for Staff Pharmacists?

The job outlook for staff pharmacists is very positive, with an estimated job growth rate of 3% through 2029.

What type of work environment can a Staff Pharmacist expect?

Staff pharmacists typically work in retail pharmacies, hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities. They may also work in an office setting. In most cases, they work full-time and may be required to work nights and weekends.