Your High-Impact
Future in Pharmacy
Being a pharmacist isn’t just one path. It’s a whole map.
Pharmacy inside hospitals and health systems is so much more than what you’re used to seeing. In these settings, a collaborative pharmacy workforce—including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians— works seamlessly alongside physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Together, they make sure patients’ medications are safe, effective, and accessible. With more than 20 specialties to choose from, hospital and health-system pharmacists can build focused expertise — and those specialists are in high demand across the healthcare team.
What do hospital and health-system pharmacists do?
Hospital and health-system pharmacists work across every corner of a hospital or clinic — emergency departments, cancer centers, maternity wards, intensive care units, and pain clinics, among others. They partner with doctors and nurses to make sure every medication decision is the right one. Here’s what that looks like in practice:
- Work with physicians and nurses to determine the best medications and treatment plan for each patient
- Investigate medication history to make sure everything a patient is taking works together safely
- Monitor patient side effects and adjust treatments as needed
- Teach patients how to take their medications, what to expect, and how to stay on track
- Find affordable medications
They’re the go-to expert on the team for anything medication-related — and they’re with the patient every step of the way.
How do I become a hospital and health-system pharmacist?
There’s more than one path to becoming a pharmacist, with total education pathways typically ranging from 6 to 8 years after high school. A common path includes:
Complete prerequisite courses for pharmacy school. This typically takes 2-4 years.
Obtain your Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree (there are 143 pharmacy schools in the US!). This is typically a 4-year program.
Pass licensure exams in the state in which you want to practice.
Many pharmacists, particularly those who wish to practice in the hospital and health-system setting, choose to complete at least one year of residency training. Learn more about residency training.
Watch hospital and health-system pharmacists in action
Resources for Prospective Pharmacy Students
Is pharmacy the right fit for you? Take this short quiz to explore where a career in pharmacy could take you.
Get the real story. Listen to podcasts featuring engaging interviews with pharmacists and other healthcare team members who witness their impact firsthand.
Ready to go further? The Pharmacy is Right for Me website has everything you need to explore how — and why — to pursue a career in pharmacy.
A meaningful role in patient care
Make pharmacy your next chapter! Get a closer look at this rewarding career with ASHP, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.
