Western Washington Area Health Education Center
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
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WWAHEC
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
Health
Professionals/
Student Placement
Health Career
Information
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
HOPE
Preceptor & Site Resources
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Volunteer/Retired
Providers Program
K-12 Learning Resources
aka Science
Allied Health
Health Career
Information
HOPE
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Statewide Office
of Rural Health
Community Health
Assessment, Planning
& Development
Primary Care
Provider Recruitment
Shop
WWAHEC
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
Health
Professionals/
Student Placement
Health Career
Information
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
HOPE
Preceptor & Site Resources
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Volunteer/Retired
Providers Program
K-12 Learning Resources
aka Science
Allied Health
Health Career
Information
HOPE
Health Career Ambassadors
Health Career
Job Descriptions
Scholarship Info
Distance Learning
Statewide Office
of Rural Health
Community Health
Assessment, Planning
& Development
Primary Care
Provider Recruitment
Shop
Health Career Information
Pharmacist
Job description
A pharmacist prepares compounds and dispenses medicine ordered by physicians, dentists, and other authorized prescribers. The pharmacists provides drugs and information about medicine to consumers and other health professionals. A pharmacist maintains a detailed patient medication profile which lists vital health information on allergies and other medication being taken by the patient. A few pharmacists specialize in drug research, pharmacy education, or work in the sale of pharmaceuticals.
Activities may include
●
weigh, measure and mix drugs and check their strength
●
keep records of prescriptions filled
●
educate patients on the use of prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs
Salaries and benefits*
Entry level wages for pharmacists average $3,200 to $4,200 per month. Salaries of pharmacists are generally influenced by location, size and type of employer. A pharmacist working for the State of Washington earns $3,542 to $4,106 per month. In the Northwest, Pharmacy Managers with four to six years of experience average $4,910 to $5,540 per month. Pharmacists who do consulting work in addition to their primary job earn more. Statewide, pharmacists average $3,350 to $3,525 per month. In King and Snohomish Counties, Registered Pharmacists average $4,260 per month.
Most pharmacists working with a medical institution receive full benefits. Self-employed pharmacists must self-insure.
Training and requirements
Pharmacists complete a five or six year degree program from an accredited school and a 1,500 hour pharmacy internship. In Washington State, pharmacy programs are available at the University of Washington and Washington State University.
Necessary skills
●
interpret and understand written prescriptions, formulas and other information on pharmaceuticals
●
listen and communicate to both healthcare professionals and the public
●
interview patients and assess drug therapy options
●
educate consumers about over-the-counter and prescription drugs
●
catch on to things and make judgments
●
add and subtract quickly and accurately
●
see details and slight differences in objects, shapes or pictures
●
see errors in printed words
●
use fingers to move small objects accurately
●
understand the meanings of words and present information clearly
●
supervisory skills
●
computer skills
●
compositions and properties of drugs
●
procedures for testing the purity and strength of drugs
●
business practices, including claims processing
●
management of pharmaceutical products and services
Licensure/Certification
License requirements:
●
18 years of age
●
U.S. citizen or registered alien
●
Seven hours of AIDS training prior to licensing
●
Completion of a degree in pharmacy from an accredited school or college
●
1,500 hours of practical experience
●
Written NAPLEX and MPJE licensing examinations
●
15 hours of continuing education each year for renewal
●
Washington State Department of Health
Board of Pharmacy
P.O. Box 47863
Olympia, WA 98504-7863
(360) 236-4825
http://www.doh.wa.gov/Pharmacy/default.htm
Helpful high school courses
Include English, speech, math through calculus, chemistry, biology, physics, physiology, health, business, typing, computers, foreign language.
Colleges/Vocational Schools in Washington State
●
University
of Washington
School of Pharmacy
H-364 Health Sciences
Box 357631
Seattle, WA 98195-7631
(206) 543-2030
●
Washington
State University
College of Pharmacy
P.O. Box 646510
Pullman, WA 99164-6510
(509) 335-5901
Outlook*
In Washington, this occupation is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations. Employment is projected to increase 17 percent by 2008.
Professional Associations
●
American Association of Colleges of
Pharmacy
1426 Prince St.
Alexandria, VA 22314-2841
(703) 739-2330
http://www.aacp.org
●
American Pharmacists Association
2215 Constitution Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20037-2985
(202) 628-4410
(800) 237-2742
http://www.aphanet.org
●
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
7272 Wisconsin Ave.
Bethesda, MD 20814-1439
(301) 657-3000
http://www.ashp.com
●
National Community Pharmacists' Association
205 Daingerfield Rd.
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 683-8200
(800) 544-7447
http://www.ncpanet.org
●
Washington State Pharmacy Association
1501 Taylor Ave. SW
Renton, WA 98055-3139
(425) 228-7171
http://www.pharmcare.org
* Note: General career descriptions are updated as necessary, however salary expectations and projected outlooks have not been updated since 2000. Go to Workforce Explorer Washington and search your career for the most up-to-date salary and job growth expectations. Washington Healthcare Careers and Workforce College are also good resources for job information.
For additional information, contact your school's career counselor or
WWAHEC
2033 Sixth Avenue, Ste. 310
Seattle, WA 98121
Ph: 206.441.7137
Fax: 206.441.7158
Page updated 9/15/04