Do you have an interest in the healthcare industry? Are you looking for a career as a pharmacist? If it is so, then this article is going to provide you with lots of information about how to become a successful pharmacist.

Research the Profession

First of all, you should research the profession and have an idea of what types of duties you are going to perform. You will need to know what a pharmacist does and how he comes up with the expectations of his employees. A pharmacist is responsible for advising his juniors on how to select the medicines and use them correctly. He ensures that new drugs are safe to be used, and provides advice on dosage, potential side effects, and risks associated with them. Plus, he should suggest the most suitable forms of tablets, inhalers, and injections. He ensures that patients are using their medicines on a daily basis and runs screening programs for diabetes and blood pressure.

Essential Skills, Salary, and Qualities

To achieve success in this role, you should have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. You should be able to serve the customers and satisfy your patients in a better way. IT skills and science and math skills are also must to become a successful and proficient pharmacist. Working hours typically depend on the clinic or hospital you are serving. Most often, pharmacists work 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, and often remain available on weekends too. The salary depends on how many hours you work per week and where you live. The starting salary, however, for new pharmacists is between the £26,500 and £35,500 bracket. Once you gain sufficient experience, you can earn something from £31,600 to £41,700 per year. The qualifications needed for this position are a first-class degree in medicines or a four-year Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) degree accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC).