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What are pharmacists' daily tasks?

I want to understand what they do daily, so I can be prepared and practice any skills I need.

medicine pharmacist
Thank you comment icon Hello. It would be best to clarify what type of pharmacist you are interested in learning more about. Pharmacists work in SO MANY different arenas. The daily schedule for an inpatient pharmacist is going to vary drastically from that of retail. There are also ambulatory clinics, clinical hospital positions, compendia positions...the list goes on and on. Brianna Martin, PharmD, BCPS
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Vamshee’s Answer

There are different types of pharmacists like Retail Pharmacist, Clinical pharmacist, Oncology pharmacist, Nuclear pharmacist, Ambulatory care pharmacist, Sales Representative Pharmacist, etc.

We do see mostly Retail Pharmacist and there are more jobs in that area. Below are the tasks/skills applicable mostly for retail pharmacist.

As a retail pharmacist, your main task will be filling prescriptions for patients. You’ll likely perform other tasks on a daily basis, including:

Checking a customer's history to ensure their new medications won't interfere with their old ones

Giving vaccines, like the flu shot

Testing a customer's blood sugar, cholesterol level, or blood pressure

Teaching customers how to take their medicine safely and effectively.

Consulting with doctors and other health care professionals about prescriptions for specific customers

Providing basic wellness screenings

Managing the pharmacy, including pharmacy techs and assistants

Negotiating with insurance providers

Maintaining customer records

Recommending over-the-counter medication

Providing basic health advice on topics like stress management, nutrition, how to stop smoking, and other lifestyle changes.


As a pharmacist, you can have a direct impact on people’s lives. Success in this career relies on a combination of skills that include:

Attention to detail and accuracy

Critical thinking

Verbal and written communication skills

Compassion

Integrity

Math and counting skills

Ability to multitask.

Willingness to advocate for patients.

Time management

Working in a pharmacy technician or cashier in pharmacy one can closely observe and understand the tasks and skills of a pharmacist. Having experience working in pharma is a plus in applying for college.


Hope this helps.
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Nadia’s Answer

Pharmacist main task is verifying the accuracy of a prescription which include if the dose & duration is age appropriate, allergies are checked, for the intended diagnosis, it’s legitimate, and follows state laws & regulations. Also, if insurance has not approved it or patient prefers some other options then finding best cost effective options. And, questions every aspect which sets a red flag specially dealing with control prescriptions.
Pharmacist job requires skills like critical thinking, problem solving, taking ownership and resolving complex issues within their team members and leading by example every day.
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Vivian’s Answer

It really varies depending on which field of pharmacy you go into. Most people think of community pharmacists, the ones you see at your local drug store. A community pharmacist will manage the technicians working with them, verify prescription orders, screen for duplicate drug therapy & interactions, counsel patients etc. The duties of a clinical pharmacist have a wide range. You can work as an er pharmacist, critical care, ambulatory care, staff pharmacist, psychiatric pharmacist; all their duties are different. For instance an ambulatory care pharmacist will do things like test A1c & help manage on-going health conditions like diabetes & high blood pressure. Pharmacists can work for drug companies, insurance companies, the CDC or FDA. At the end of the day all pharmacists have the same thing in common, they are the medication experts who work together with an integral health team to provide the best possible health outcomes for patients.
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Jaymin’s Answer

Beyond Pharmacy degree, one can do clinical residency and practice as clinical pharmacists in a hospital setting and montior drug therapy of patients, advise medical team on appropriate use of medicine. Another alternative is do a PhD in pharmacuetical sciences after Pharmacy degree and that allows you to do research in a pharmaceutical industry and/or academia.
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samira’s Answer

First of all, in order to become a healthcare provider of any kind, you need to have this compassion for people, because they need us to help them be well. A pharmacist I can call it a king of drugs because they know everything about drugs and they are at the very last point in saving people’s life, for this to happen they make sure the dose is correct, the medicine is not going to cause any side effects or interactions, they also know more about other meds the patient is taking because they ask questions and that’s why in most cases the patient feels more comfortable asking a pharmacist than asking a doctor .
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