Meet Your Pharmacist – Your Medication Specialist
Did you know?
Many pharmacists work side-by-side with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to ensure that patients get the best possible care.
What Pharmacists Do
When you’re in the hospital, there’s someone on your care team you might not see right away—but they play a huge role in keeping you safe and helping you heal. That’s your pharmacist.
Hospital and health-systemA health system includes everything and everyone involved in providing healthcare to a community, like hospitals, clinics, and healthcare providers (physicians, nurses, pharmacists, etc.) pharmacists work in all kinds of places—like emergency departments, cancer centers, maternity wards, intensive care units, and even pain clinics. They team up with doctors and nurses to make sure every medication you get is exactly right for you.
Here’s what they do:
- Team up with physicians and nurses to decide the best medications and treatment plan for you
- Check your medication history to make sure all the medications you’re taking work together.
- Track how your body responds to medicine and adjust it if needed.
- Teach you how to take your meds, what to expect, and how to stay on track.
- Help find lower-cost options if something is too expensive.
Basically, they’re the go-to provider on all things medications.
Got a question? They’ve got answers.
Worried about side effects? They’ll walk you through it.
Worried about medication costs? They’ll help with that too.
Pharmacists are essential. And they’re right there with you—every step of the way.
How do I become a pharmacist?
There’s more than one path to becoming a pharmacist, but one common path is:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree in a related field of study like chemistry, biology, biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, or other related majors.
- Obtain your Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree (there are 143 pharmacy schools in the US!)
- Pass a licensure exam in the state in which you want to practice
Many pharmacists, particularly those who wish to practice in the hospital and health-system setting also complete at least one year of residency training. Learn more about residency training.
Wondering if pharmacy is right for you?
Take this quiz to find out!
Interested in exploring more about careers in pharmacy and how to apply to pharmacy school? Check out these great resources:
Read the stories on this website to get first hand perspective on how pharmacists contribute to patient care.
Check out videos from pharmacists in different areas of practice: Visit the Pharmacy is Right for Me website for more great resources about WHY and HOW to be a pharmacist.
Watch hospital and health-system pharmacists in action
A meaningful role in patient care
Interested in joining the rewarding field of hospital, clinical, and community pharmacy? Get a closer look with ASHP, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.
