Pharmacists dispense prescription drugs and counsel patients on the proper use and potential risks of both over-the-counter and prescription drugs. The number of pharmacy jobs is expected to increase by 25% from 2010 to 2020, which represents a faster growth rate than most jobs. In order to become a pharmacist, you must prepare for pharmacy school, finish it, and seek pharmacy jobs.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Prepare for Pharmacy School
Step 1. Prepare for college
In order to be accepted into an undergraduate program at a college or university, you must first have your high school diploma. Some colleges or universities accept a GED diploma.
- Take several science and math classes to better prepare for your college classes.
- Take the SAT or ACT in your junior or senior year of high school. Most colleges and universities require one of these exams.
- Get involved in extracurricular activities, such as nonprofits, volunteer organizations, or sports clubs, to make your college application more competitive.
Step 2. Make a decision about a bachelor's degree
There are several different degrees you can get before going to pharmacy school; however, the most common are prepharmacy, biology, or chemistry. These programs are the most relevant and probably offer you the prerequisites you need to apply to pharmacy school.
- Research the classes you will need to get into most pharmacy schools.
- Talk about your plan to become a pharmacist with your counselor. He will help you enroll in the classes necessary to earn your degree and meet the pharmacy school prerequisites.
- Most pharmacy schools require at least a 3.0 GPA. A high GPA will make you more competitive when you apply to pharmacy school.
Step 3. Get pharmacy experience
While working on your college degree, a good idea would be to gain experience working in a pharmacy. There are many ways to gain pharmacy experience. You can stay close to a pharmacist, get an internship with a pharmacist, or find a job at a pharmacy. These experiences will help you make connections and decide if becoming a pharmacist is the right career choice.
Visit your school's career office for advice on finding internships at local pharmacies
Step 4. Create a list of potential pharmacy schools
Pick at least three pharmacy schools that you are interested in attending. When choosing a school, it's important to think about location, reputation, and enrollment. Most schools indicate the prerequisites necessary to apply. Use this information as the basis for your preparation.
Method 2 of 3: Finish Pharmacy School
Step 1. Take the Pharmacy School Admission Test (PCAT)
The PCAT is a standardized test that most pharmacy schools use to determine the academic ability of applicants. While the PCAT was once a written test, today all PCATs are taken by computer.
- You can register for the PCAT online by visiting
- There is a registration fee that you can pay online during the process.
- Study materials can be found and purchased online, at bookstores, or at your local library.
- When you enroll in the PCAT, you will be asked to choose the schools to which you want to send your scores. Make sure to send them to the schools on your list.
Step 2. Apply to pharmacy schools
Once you have completed your undergraduate studies, have gained practical experience with a pharmacist, and have completed your PCAT, it is time to apply to pharmacy school. Make a list of the requirements you want pharmacy school to meet, and then research which ones are within your goal. Visit their website and follow the specific application process.
- Remember that most applications to a pharmacy school have an application fee.
- A good idea is to apply to more than one pharmacy school in case you are not accepted as your first choice.
Step 3. Obtain a Doctor of Pharmacy degree
The pharmacy school has four academic semesters. However, many are three calendar years long as they include the summer semesters in the academic calendar.
Tuition and fees vary by pharmacy school. Many people depend on loans, grants, and scholarships to pay for pharmacy school
Method 3 of 3: Get a job
Step 1. Get a license
Once you graduate, you must obtain your license in order to practice pharmacy. The North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam or NAPLEX is a standardized test used throughout the United States to assess pharmacy school graduates on their knowledge of pharmacology. Each state also has specific tests necessary to practice pharmacy within that state.
You can learn more about state-specific licensing through the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy
Step 2. Become a specialist
In some cases, you may want to further your education in order to become a specialized pharmacist. For example, if you want to become a clinical pharmacist, you must complete a pharmacy residency and be certified by the Board of Pharmacy Specialties or BPS.
- The pharmacy residency lasts two years. The first year is about general training and the second is about specialized training.
- No specialties are required.
Step 3. Apply for jobs
Once you are a licensed pharmacist, you can start looking for work. Look for job openings online at sites like www.indeed.com. Talk to any contacts you have made when you were around a pharmacist, at pharmacy school or during residency.
- Your first job as a pharmacist may not be exactly what you are looking for. You may have to work odd hours and at a pharmacy that is not your first choice.
- Don't expect to "climb the ladder" quickly. Try hard and eventually you will ascend.
- Even beginning pharmacists make a lot of money. The average entry-level pharmacist makes $ 75,000. Remember, that amount will depend on your work location.
Step 4. Open your own pharmacy
There are many more rewards to owning your own pharmacy than just selling pharmaceuticals. There are many startup costs. You will need to meet or hire someone who has business experience to handle marketing and accounting. However, the payoff might be worth it. You'll be your own boss, set your own work hours, and possibly earn more money.