There are benefits to working in Healthcare System as opposed to a retail environment. Stable working hours – Pharmacists in an intuitional setting will work the normal amount of hours but may be required to work evenings, nights and weekends as medications are required around the clock.
What is a Health System Pharmacist? A pharmacist is a trained individual who dispenses medications to patients. They are trained in the selection, dosing, and administration of drugs to patients. Their training includes knowledge about basic compounds which go into a formulation for a drug, its effects, side effects and interactions with past and present medications that a patient may take. A Health System pharmacist works in various organizations such as a hospital or clinic.
Where do Health System Pharmacists work? A health system is the combination of all the organizations, institutions and resources whose purpose is to promote and improve health. This includes hospitals, insurance companies, clinics, doctors, nursing homes, and other places where people get help when they are ill or require recuperation. The skills and experience of a pharmacist is required at many levels within the Healthcare System, for example in a hospital, clinic, or nursing home, a pharmacist is usually in charge of the medications dispensary. Each day, there are a number of medications which are dispensed to patients by nurses or other floor staff to patients. A team of pharmacists prepare and record all medications which are dispensed to each patient. Details are recorded as to the dose and type of medication, as well as changes to the regimen by a physician.
In addition to medications other drugs are dispensed on an individual need basis for emergencies, surgery and other one time treatments. Other duties include advising the medical staff on the selection and effects of drugs, making sterile solutions to be administered intravenously or plan, monitor and evaluate drug programs or regimens. They may counsel hospitalized patients on the use of drugs before the patients are discharged. At a large physicians practice or clinic a pharmacist may be in charge of prescribing medications for patients, advising them on patients about general health topics such as diet, exercise, and stress management, and provide information on products such as durable medical equipment or home health care supplies.
At an insurance or benefits company, a pharmacist will be counted on to monitor the requests for medication by the physician to ensure that the treatment is correct and within standards. They will have a hand in composing and reviewing the processes and procedures for approval to reimburse for medications or what types of medications can be substituted in treatments.
Another benefits:
Income – Pharmacists are highly trained individuals, requiring testing and licensing to practice. Their income would be commensurate with those of other healthcare professionals.
Opportunity to advance – In addition to dispensing medications, pharmacists may also advance to managerial duties, supervising other pharmacists and technicians or leading a department. They also my have the opportunity to teach or advise to staff or groups about new and upcoming medicines and treatments. Other duties include composing and establish process and procedures for the recommendation, dispensing and approval of medicines.