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Career in pharmacy?
- Thread starter Ceebs
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R
revexrevex
Guest
Hey ceebs. My cousin is a pharmacist, who finished college with a C+ average. It depends on your location of course, but pharmacists are very wanted. He immediately got employed by a very large pharmacy, getting close to $50,000 a year (initially), and making much more than that right now (he recently bought himself a house). If you enjoy it, definetely go for it. Me, I couldn't even look at the charts that he had on his wall of drugs with 30 letters in it, plus all the chemistry... half lifes... side effects.... remmebering each drug's profile, it was very taxing, but rewarding at the end.
I
Imakarum_Mirabilis
Guest
Huge difference there.
Pharm Tech? Nothing particularly special.
Practicing Pharmacist? A PharmD, these days. A PharmD will cost you some time and schooling, but you'll make plenty from it, and job placement will be most kind to you.
Pharm Tech? Nothing particularly special.
Practicing Pharmacist? A PharmD, these days. A PharmD will cost you some time and schooling, but you'll make plenty from it, and job placement will be most kind to you.
Taps
New member
I'm not sure about the requirements in the US, but in Canada a pharmacy degree takes 5 years to complete.
Starting pay is $80K-$110K (seriously), right out of school, depending on what city you live in.
A freind of mine is a pharmacist, and he likes it just fine. From what he's told me a lot of people get burned out, just from counting pills all day. Still the $$ is amazing, and you can pretty much pick and choose your own hours if you work for a larger pharmacy (like in Wal-Mart, etc.). I think it's something you really, really have to be interested in -- knowing the chemical makeup for various drugs, possible interactions, doses, etc.
Good luck.
Starting pay is $80K-$110K (seriously), right out of school, depending on what city you live in.
A freind of mine is a pharmacist, and he likes it just fine. From what he's told me a lot of people get burned out, just from counting pills all day. Still the $$ is amazing, and you can pretty much pick and choose your own hours if you work for a larger pharmacy (like in Wal-Mart, etc.). I think it's something you really, really have to be interested in -- knowing the chemical makeup for various drugs, possible interactions, doses, etc.
Good luck.
R
revexrevex
Guest
Taps, your post is very similar to mine. You are right, the money are amazing.. but its a taxing job. You can choose what days you want to work, when to take vacations, plus you get all the benefits etc.
I
Imakarum_Mirabilis
Guest
A PharmD takes 5 years here in the states, too. 208 credit-hours or so, IIRC.
If I ever decide to go back to finish my old PharmD degree, it will still take me a year and half or so, if I gun it.
If I ever decide to go back to finish my old PharmD degree, it will still take me a year and half or so, if I gun it.
Ceebs
New member
Thanks - those are exactly the responses I was hoping for.
I found a local technical college that offers an 8-month (including externship) pharmacy technician certification program, and thought that was a mite short, though if all techs are is glorified pill counters, I could do that right now.
I know a fair amount of biochemistry as it relates to excercise physiology (I was a personal trainer in another life, and reading these boards for so long, you can't help but pick up that information), and can read rxlist.com with a good understanding of pharmacodynamics and why there's contraindications between drugs. Receptor this, enzyme that. A little of the vocabulary is over my head, but I'm learning, and I look up things when I can. I got the aforementioned personal training job right out of high school - never finished college - and I'm wondering if now might be the right time to do that and get on with my adult life. Hard work and years of study don't bother me, as long as they're towards a fulfilling end.
Thanks again, I'll keep all of what you guys posted in mind.
(And fogg, check your karma.)
I found a local technical college that offers an 8-month (including externship) pharmacy technician certification program, and thought that was a mite short, though if all techs are is glorified pill counters, I could do that right now.
I know a fair amount of biochemistry as it relates to excercise physiology (I was a personal trainer in another life, and reading these boards for so long, you can't help but pick up that information), and can read rxlist.com with a good understanding of pharmacodynamics and why there's contraindications between drugs. Receptor this, enzyme that. A little of the vocabulary is over my head, but I'm learning, and I look up things when I can. I got the aforementioned personal training job right out of high school - never finished college - and I'm wondering if now might be the right time to do that and get on with my adult life. Hard work and years of study don't bother me, as long as they're towards a fulfilling end.
Thanks again, I'll keep all of what you guys posted in mind.
(And fogg, check your karma.)
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fogg88
New member
Ceebs said:
DON'T DO IT!!! Seriously, get a job at Walgreens, Osco, or Eckert (if they've moved into California yet)... and you'll get free, paid training. Paying money for an 8-month pharm tech course is crazy. ...heck, you can even get study books and take the CPhT exam on your own if you want, which will get you a better starting wage as a tech. With your background, it'll be a piece of cake!
ps- thanks for the green, and back atcha!
big_bad_buff
New member
BORING work, very boring. and if you mess up once you fucked, time to go look for a new line of work.
I think I'd really like the science part of it. The part I wouldn't like would be having to work with the public. It seems everytime I'm waiting in line at the pharmacy and the cashier asks "would you like to speak to the pharmacist?" some spaz in front of me will always answer yes, and then bombard the poor pharmacist with the stupidest questions. Then they'll start telling them their 'woe with me' life story. Normally I don't have anything against old people, but they're the worst for tying up the line because they just want to have some people contact. They're retired so they have all day, unlike most of the people behind them waiting in line.
PharmD in south florida gets about $125K per year. It doesn't usually get much higher than that. It is a lot of schooling, and I would imagine it gets pretty boring.
One thing to look out for: government regulation of pharmceutocal prices is not far away. That will be the end fo the higher salaries.
One thing to look out for: government regulation of pharmceutocal prices is not far away. That will be the end fo the higher salaries.
john937
New member
My mom was a pharmacist. There's a wide range in the profession.
The pill counters at Wallmart aren't making $80K.
That sounds like the specialists that are working in the fields of chemotherapy and other specializations.
Cons: long hours, on your feet, varicose veins
Pros: clean environment, portable career (you can move anywhere)
You CAN NOT get gear. Pharmacists are highly watched and have to document inventory.
If their "inventory is missing" it will be noticed by federal auditors.
The pill counters at Wallmart aren't making $80K.
That sounds like the specialists that are working in the fields of chemotherapy and other specializations.
Cons: long hours, on your feet, varicose veins
Pros: clean environment, portable career (you can move anywhere)
You CAN NOT get gear. Pharmacists are highly watched and have to document inventory.
If their "inventory is missing" it will be noticed by federal auditors.
THeMaCHinE
New member
I dunno, I know a few *very* jacked pharmacists...
Lao Tzu
New member
My dads a pharmacist. I think he had an undergrad in pharmaceutical studies (which also qualifies as an undergrad in chemistry because the classes are almost identical), then 2 years of grad school. He makes around $80-90k a year now that he only works 40 hrs a week but his job used to require him to work 60+ hours a week. 9am-9pm virtually every weekday plus every other weekend off.
I think that it takes 6-8 years to become a pharmacist now. 2-4 of undergrad in a life science or pharmaceutical sciences, 2-4 of graduate school.
I think that it takes 6-8 years to become a pharmacist now. 2-4 of undergrad in a life science or pharmaceutical sciences, 2-4 of graduate school.
C
Crazy Ivan
Guest
My friend is a Pharmacy Technician for Wal-Mart. Been there for 2 years now. They put him through paid training but now he only makes $ 10/hour.
My mom is a pharmacist, and I believe she went to college for a total of six years? The reqs may be different now though. Myself, I wouldn't be a pharmacist, not because the science is too hard, but because you have to be nice to everybody who comes in the store, so putting up with bullshit is part of the job. It can also get quite repetitive at times. Also, chain pharmacists normally make more than independent pharmacists, but they do not have the same freedoms obviously. The only thing bad about the pay for a pharmacist is that it will cap out probably somewhere around $80,000 except for the top few lucky enough to get higher. Not sure how good advancement opportunities would be when working for a chain, though probably not great. Overall, you make good money, you just have to decide if its right for you.
i know a pharm, she said she wished she went ahead and become a doctor.
im thinking about becoming an RN. around here, you can work for 2 12 hour weekend shifts and get paid for 40 at like $22 an hour. she also got a 40k sign on bonus, and since ost of her shit was in grants, she is more or less debt free out of school. shes buyig a house. 2 years 10 monhs of school.
another girl came in on easter, cause no one else would, and made $975 that day alone.
you can set your own hours and everything, and no wiping asses. sounds good to me.
im thinking about becoming an RN. around here, you can work for 2 12 hour weekend shifts and get paid for 40 at like $22 an hour. she also got a 40k sign on bonus, and since ost of her shit was in grants, she is more or less debt free out of school. shes buyig a house. 2 years 10 monhs of school.
another girl came in on easter, cause no one else would, and made $975 that day alone.
you can set your own hours and everything, and no wiping asses. sounds good to me.
What's the average /hr rate for a pharm tech?
Is the certification process difficult? I searched Google for a minute or two after reading this thread and for my state it says the only requirements are to pass the CPhT test.
For some reason it doesn't sound too difficult to purchase some books off Amazon, study for a few months and take the test. Am I off base?
Is the certification process difficult? I searched Google for a minute or two after reading this thread and for my state it says the only requirements are to pass the CPhT test.
For some reason it doesn't sound too difficult to purchase some books off Amazon, study for a few months and take the test. Am I off base?
A lot of people seem to be overly focused on *how much $$$* - if you want to be a Pharmacist because you get joy out of the research or joy out of the possiblity of helping someone - like helping them escape their pain or discomfort then DO IT.
I've gotten better advice, and prescribing information from a Pharmacist than my Internist.
I would find out all routes to your final goal and see which fits into your lifestyle or current ability (time from/cost, etc).
GOOD LUCK
I think it's a most interesting career choice.
My father was a Pharmacist before he continued on to become an OB/GYN.
I've gotten better advice, and prescribing information from a Pharmacist than my Internist.
I would find out all routes to your final goal and see which fits into your lifestyle or current ability (time from/cost, etc).
GOOD LUCK
I think it's a most interesting career choice.
My father was a Pharmacist before he continued on to become an OB/GYN.
gotmilk
New member
There was a thing on TV last night about how Pharmacies are becoming computerized and how robotic arms are filling prescriptions now.
There was this robotic arm like they have on car assembly lines that was filing prescriptions. It takes like 30 seconds or less and a human takes like 3 minutes..
Pharmacists will become obsolete....
If you wait till next year....you can work at a casino here or in Aspen and make $60k being a hostess....hehe
There was this robotic arm like they have on car assembly lines that was filing prescriptions. It takes like 30 seconds or less and a human takes like 3 minutes..
Pharmacists will become obsolete....
If you wait till next year....you can work at a casino here or in Aspen and make $60k being a hostess....hehe
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Lao Tzu
New member
mylife said:
Well, where do you live? www.salary.com pharmacy tech is under healthcare -- technicians.
I'm not sure about the testing thing or how it works in your state. I thought about becoming a pharmacy tech in my state (indiana) to help pay for college, but they said i had to have an accredited (i.e., non internet) degree to become accredited.
fogg88
New member
gotmilk said:
Even though the automated systems can fill 100x as fast as humans, federal law still requires that a registered pharmacist verifies EVERY single prescription, and the offer for patient counseling is still required as well. The role of the pharmacist will certainly be changing, but the job won't become obsolete.
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