Pharmacists play an integral role in helping people feel better physically and mentally through medication. If this sounds like a good career path for you, you should know the requirements to become a pharmacist. To become a full-time pharmacist, you will need multiple educational paths and on-the-job work experience.
At Behavioral Health Jobs, our website delivers hundreds of pharmacist jobs all across the country for those who wish to become a pharmacist. This highly technical job requires advanced pharmacology knowledge along with excellent communication and interpersonal skills in order to thrive. This is a fast-growing industry, and employers are eager to find quality people to assist others with getting the medications they need to heal and recover.
To learn more about the pharmacist job requirements, check out all of the pharmacist jobs on the Behavioral Health Jobs website today.
How to Become a Pharmacist
Becoming a pharmacist can be a lengthy process that takes anywhere from 4 to 10 years to complete, depending on your education path. While many pharmacists do well with a bachelor’s degree, others obtain a master’s or Doctorate to further their skills and earnings potential. In addition to post-secondary degrees, you can also obtain technical certifications to increase your knowledge.
Here is a basic rundown on the pharmacist education requirements:
- High school diploma – Some entry-level pharmacist jobs do not require a traditional four-year college degree, though you will not advance very far without more education. There are two-year pharmacist programs available that focus solely on the courses you need to become a pharmacist.
- Bachelor’s degree – The more common way to become a pharmacist is through a bachelor’s degree. There are several course options you can take:
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Biomedical Sciences
- Psychology
- Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Other science-based degrees
- Graduate degrees – Once you obtain your bachelor’s degree, you can continue your education with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree or Pharm.D. These programs include coursework in medicinal chemistry, pharmacy law, pharmacology, and patient care.
- Licensure – The last step is to apply for licensure to practice pharmacy. You can take one of two national exams: the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) or the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE). You must complete a minimum of 1,500 hours of on-the-job work before you can take the exam.
Some states may require state-level licensing, so be sure to check the job description for all education requirements.
If you are planning your education path to become a pharmacist, work with the school counselor to be sure you are meeting all pharmacist education requirements.
The Requirements to Become a Pharmacist
Becoming an effective pharmacist requires a broad mix of hard and soft skills. What are hard and soft skills? Hard skills cover technical and business skills and knowledge that you need to do the job well.
Pharmacists job requirements include the following hard skills:
- Pharmacology knowledge
- Chemistry
- Biology and anatomy
- Medical terminology
- Advanced computer and pharmacist software knowledge
- Health regulation and compliance
Soft skills are those personal skills that you develop over time and through personal and professional relationships. They include skills such as expressing empathy and being passionate about helping others. Additional soft skills that pharmacists need include:
- Emotional intelligence
- Interpersonal skills
- Superb written and oral communication skills
- Time management
- Problem-solving
- Stress management
- Organizational skills
- Leadership abilities
- Resilience
These are just some of the requirements to become a pharmacist. Be sure to read the job description thoroughly for a full list of job requirements.
Behavioral Health Jobs: Take That Step to Become a Pharmacist Today
The Behavioral Health Jobs website is for job seekers who want a rewarding career in the healthcare industry. Our job board is updated daily with new jobs for pharmacists, medical technicians, psychiatrists, administrative staff, and other vital roles in all types of care facilities. We also include helpful tips for finding a new job, building an attention-getting resume, and other advice to increase your chances of landing a new job.
Learn all about becoming a pharmacist and other helpful career advice on the Behavioral Health Jobs website today.
