Occupation Details
Pharmacists
Dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use. May advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosage, interactions, and side effects of medications.
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Interests
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Social
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
Recognition
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$102,110.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$133,640.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$148,220.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
20,230
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
22,280
+205 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
1,005
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.1%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
More School - Graduate or advanced degree
Experience Requirements
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Education Requirements
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Training Details
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, physician assistants, and veterinarians.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
New York State requires workers in this occupation to hold a license or certification.
Pharmacist
Learn MoreSkills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Chemistry
Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
Biology
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
Psychology
Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Analytical Thinking
Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Leadership
Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Ampoule filling machines
- Area survey meters
- Automated drug dispensing equipment
- Barcode scanning/prescription tracking systems
- Binocular light compound microscopes
- Capsule counters
- Electronic blood pressure monitors
- Electronic toploading balances
- Filters for glass containers/ampoules
- Geiger-Muller counters
- Glucometers
- Hemacytometers
- Horizontal air flow laminar hoods
- Hospital beds
- Intravenous IV therapy equipment
- Label-making machines
- Laminar flow hoods
- Lead shielded drawing stations
- Lead transport shields
- Manual blood pressure equipment
- Medication pulling/dispensing systems
- Metric graduates
- Metric weights
- Mortars
- Multiple channel well scintillation counters
- Needles
- Ostomy products
- Oxygen therapy equipment
- Personal computers
- Pestles
Technology
- Computer records systems
- Epic Systems
- Freedom MedTEACH
- Healthprolink MedAtlas
- Insurance claim processing software
- Label-making software
- MEDITECH software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft SharePoint
- Microsoft Word
- Multitask software
- Pyxis MedStation software
- Recordkeeping software
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- hire, discharge, transfer, or promote workers
- sell merchandise
- develop policies, procedures, methods, or standards
- create mathematical or statistical diagrams or charts
- mix paint, ingredients, or chemicals, according to specifications
- store pharmaceutical supplies or filled prescriptions
- prepare sterile solutions, infusions, or intravenous packs
- advise clients or customers
- refer patients to community resources
- provide advice on food or drug storage or use
- advise governmental or industrial personnel
- maintain records, reports, or files
- communicate technical information
- make presentations
- use precision measuring tools or equipment
- use laboratory equipment
- dispense prescribed medications and pharmaceuticals
- maintain record of medication or equipment dispensed to patient
- order or purchase supplies, materials, or equipment
- demonstrate or explain assembly or use of equipment
- teach individuals work-related techniques or skills
- compound pharmaceuticals or medical preparations
- assign work to staff or employees
- monitor worker performance
- analyze medical data
- analyze scientific research data or investigative findings
- analyze chemical experimental, test, or analysis data or findings
- conduct laboratory research or experiments
- conduct standardized qualitative laboratory analyses
- conduct standardized quantitative laboratory analyses
- conduct analyses or tests of organic compounds
- provide customer service
- answer customer or public inquiries
- direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
- work as a team member
- understand properties or composition of drugs
- distinguish colors
- understand pharmaceutical formulas
- understand drug products
- understand government health, hotel or food service regulations
- understand properties of gases or liquids
- plan or organize work
- explain complex mathematical information
- explain uses or effects of drugs
- interpret prescriptions
- write scholarly or technical research papers
- write technical health or medical documents
- calculate medical dosages
- compile numerical or statistical data
- develop tables depicting data
- calculate radiation dosage, following physician's prescription
- measure, weigh, or count products or materials
- use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
- use relational database software
- use spreadsheet software
- use word processing or desktop publishing software
- collect scientific or technical data
- accept prescriptions for filling
- obtain information from individuals
- obtain information from clients, customers, or patients
- adhere to safety procedures
- maintain established procedures concerning quality assurance
- use chemical testing or analysis procedures
- follow confidentiality procedures
- apply drug information to patient treatment
- use health or sanitation standards
- follow infectious materials procedures
- use interpersonal communication techniques
- use quality assurance techniques
- use research methodology procedures in health care
- use scientific research methodology
- follow safe waste disposal procedures
- use sanitation practices in health care settings
- use knowledge of medical terminology
- use knowledge of investigation techniques
- use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems
- use quantitative research methods
- use knowledge of metric system
- inventory medical supplies or instruments
- label pharmaceutical supplies
- maintain customer records
- inventory stock to ensure adequate supplies
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Review prescriptions to assure accuracy, to ascertain the needed ingredients, and to evaluate their suitability.
- Assess the identity, strength, or purity of medications.
- Provide information and advice regarding drug interactions, side effects, dosage, and proper medication storage.
- Analyze prescribing trends to monitor patient compliance and to prevent excessive usage or harmful interactions.
- Maintain records, such as pharmacy files, patient profiles, charge system files, inventories, control records for radioactive nuclei, or registries of poisons, narcotics, or controlled drugs.
- Collaborate with other health care professionals to plan, monitor, review, or evaluate the quality or effectiveness of drugs or drug regimens, providing advice on drug applications or characteristics.
- Plan, implement, or maintain procedures for mixing, packaging, or labeling pharmaceuticals, according to policy and legal requirements, to ensure quality, security, and proper disposal.
- Order and purchase pharmaceutical supplies, medical supplies, or drugs, maintaining stock and storing and handling it properly.
- Compound and dispense medications as prescribed by doctors and dentists, by calculating, weighing, measuring, and mixing ingredients, or oversee these activities.
- Contact insurance companies to resolve billing issues.
- Work in hospitals or clinics or for Health Management Organizations (HMOs), dispensing prescriptions, serving as a medical team consultant, or specializing in specific drug therapy areas, such as oncology or nuclear pharmacotherapy.
- Advise customers on the selection of medication brands, medical equipment, or healthcare supplies.
- Update or troubleshoot pharmacy information databases.
- Manage pharmacy operations, hiring or supervising staff, performing administrative duties, or buying or selling non-pharmaceutical merchandise.
- Prepare sterile solutions or infusions for use in surgical procedures, emergency rooms, or patients' homes.
- Teach pharmacy students serving as interns in preparation for their graduation or licensure.
- Offer health promotion or prevention activities, such as training people to use blood pressure devices or diabetes monitors.
- Provide specialized services to help patients manage conditions, such as diabetes, asthma, smoking cessation, or high blood pressure.
- Refer patients to other health professionals or agencies when appropriate.
- Assay radiopharmaceuticals, verify rates of disintegration, and calculate the volume required to produce the desired results, to ensure proper dosages.
- Publish educational information for other pharmacists, doctors, or patients.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
LifeWorks: Career Exploration in Health and Medical Science
LifeWorks Web site is a tool for students to help raise their awareness about the broad range of health and medical science career pathways that are available to them and to help them make career decisions.
Learn MorePharmacists
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn More