What does a pharmacist do?
Pharmacists are healthcare professionals responsible for dispensing medicines, ensuring their efficacy and safe use, and advising patients on drug therapy. In other words, a pharmacist’s main goal is to ensure patient health and safety through the responsible use of medication. They review prescriptions, monitor drug interactions, and educate patients on potential side effects. Pharmacists also work with healthcare providers to optimize treatment plans, manage chronic conditions, and perform health screenings. In industrial settings, they may be involved in clinical trials, drug formulation, quality control, and regulatory compliance.
Pharmacist skills and qualifications
Pharmacists need to meet certain requirements to perform their role effectively, including:
- productivity management
- oral and written communication
- reading comprehension
- human resource management
- time management
- numeracy
- material resource management
- leadership
Pharmacist experience requirements
In Canada, to become a pharmacist, candidates must complete a rigorous four-year university program with integrated experiential rotations, eliminating the need for prior work experience. While some employers prioritize experienced hires, others acknowledge the benefits of fresh perspectives and actively provide mentorship to facilitate the professional advancement of early-career pharmacists. These mentorship programs often include opportunities for ongoing education and skill development, enhancing the transition from academic training to professional practice.
Pharmacist education and training requirements
To become a certified pharmacist, candidates need to complete a four-year undergraduate doctoral program (PharmD) after the initial two-year prerequisite studies. Would-be pharmacists gain experience throughout the four-year program by doing experiential rotations in various healthcare facilities, including community and hospital pharmacies and pharmaceutical industrial organizations if any are available.
Pharmacists engage in a regulated profession in Canada, which means they need a licence from their province or territory in addition to a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. To get the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) certificate, a pharmacist needs to pay for and pass a two-part exam. Passing part one is a requirement to write part two, and part two is only available for three years after passing part one.
Pharmacist salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary of a pharmacist in Canada is $52.03 per hour. Salaries may be contingent on location, experience, and company.
Salary figures reflect data listed on Indeed Salaries at time of writing. Salaries may vary depending on the hiring organization and a candidate’s experience, academic background, and location.
Job description samples for similar positions
If a pharmacist is not exactly what your business needs, consider these relevant job descriptions:
Pharmacy job description FAQs
The following are answers to frequently asked questions about this position:
What is the difference between a pharmacist and a pharmacy assistant?
Pharmacists with a PharmD and provincial or territorial licence can dispense medications, counsel patients, and work with other healthcare professionals. Pharmacy assistants with a high school diploma and possibly a certificate support pharmacists by preparing scripts, managing inventory, and performing administrative tasks.
Who does a pharmacist report to?
Pharmacists typically report to pharmacy managers, clinical directors, or directly to healthcare administrators in larger healthcare settings, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and standards. In retail or community pharmacies, they often report to the pharmacy owner or district manager, who oversees daily operations and customer service initiatives.
How do you make your pharmacist job description stand out?
To enhance your pharmacist job description, spotlight your company’s mission, culture, and innovations. Clearly define distinctive responsibilities and opportunities for professional growth. Additionally, showcase competitive benefits, emphasize work-life balance, promote a collaborative work environment, and highlight community health initiatives. These elements are pivotal in attracting pharmacists seeking a fulfilling and impactful career.
What makes a good pharmacist job description?
A thorough pharmacist job description includes a clear job title and summary, detailed tasks, qualifications, and essential skills. It effectively communicates the company’s mission, culture and values, emphasizing career growth opportunities, competitive salary and benefits packages, the work environment, and a streamlined application process for prospective candidates.
Do pharmacists have different roles in different sectors?
Yes, retail and community pharmacists dispense medications, counsel patients, prepare scripts, and do health screenings. Hospital pharmacists work with healthcare teams, prepare IV medications, monitor drug therapy, and manage formulary. Industrial pharmacists do drug development, manufacturing, quality control, and regulatory compliance. Consultant and academic pharmacists provide medication management advice, teach, research, and mentor students.
*Indeed provides this information as a courtesy to users of this site. Please note that we are not your recruiting or legal advisor, we are not responsible for the content of your job descriptions, and none of the information provided herein guarantees performance.