AHEC

What does a pharmacist do?

Pharmacists care for patients by managing medication therapy as an integrated member of a health care team, which includes physicians, nurses, and other health professionals. Pharmacists evaluate and monitor drug therapy to achieve specific outcomes and improve the patient’s quality of life.

What might a pharmacist do in a workday?

take responsibility to assure that medications are used appropriately by patients.
provide information to prescribers and other health professionals about medications and proper drug treatment.
improve patients’ understanding of the appropriate use of medications.
provide medication therapy management services.
maintain comprehensive computerized records of all medications dispensed.
increase patients’ adherence to prescription medication regimes.
reduce the risk of adverse events and interactions associated with medications.
determine the identity and strength of medications.
advise patients about the use of nonprescription and herbal medicines.
refer individuals to physicians, dentists, or other health practitioners.
oversee the activities of pharmacy technicians and pharmacy interns.
teach in schools of pharmacy.

Pharmacists may perform other duties depending on their place of employment.

Community pharmacists or retail pharmacists also perform professional, managerial, and administrative functions.
Consultant and long-term care pharmacists regularly review drug therapy programs of nursing home patients.
Hospital pharmacists advise the medical staff on the selection and effects of drugs, perform administrative duties, teach, conduct research, and work in patient care areas as members of a medical team.
Nuclear pharmacists work with radiopharmaceuticals (drugs that contain radioactive materials).
Pharmacists in corporate/industrial settings may research and develop new drugs or supervise personnel, quality control, packaging, or medical sales.
U.S. and state governmental pharmacists regulate the profession to preserve and protect public health in various settings such as: State Board of Pharmacy and Department of Health, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the U.S. Public Health Service.
Professional association pharmacists offer services to promote health care, professional growth, and advocacy.

Depending on their place of employment, pharmacists may work alone, with other pharmacists, or as a member of a team of health care professionals.

How much does a pharmacist earn?

$75,000 - $110,000

How do I become a pharmacist?

Students intending to pursue a career in pharmacy should prepare by taking the most challenging high school courses available in science, math and English. The Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) is required for acceptance to two-thirds of schools and colleges of pharmacy.

Pharmacists earn the doctor of pharmacy degree, which requires a minimum of six years of study. All pharmacists must pass an examination known as the NAPLEX and have earned at least 1,500 hours of practical experience in a pharmacy in order to obtain a license.

Students planning on specializing in a practice of pharmacy should complete postgraduate residency or fellowship training and consider board certification.

Where else can I learn about becoming a pharmacist?

Virginia Pharmacists Association
2530 Professional Road / Richmond, VA 23235
tel: (804) 285-4145 or (800) 527-8742 / web: www.vapharmacy.org

Virginia Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists
P.O. Box 2567 / Fairfax, VA 22031
9610 Jomar Drive / Fairfax, VA 22032
tel: (800) 613-VSHP (8747) / web: www.vshp.org

National Community Pharmacists Association
100 Daingerfield Road / Alexandria, VA 22314
tel: (703) 683-8200 / web: www.ncpanet.org

State License Requirements for Pharmacists:

A license is required to practice as a pharmacist in the state of Virginia. For more information on licensure, applications and forms, visit www.dhp.virginia.gov/pharmacy.

Virginia Board of Pharmacy
Perimeter Center
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300 / Henrico, VA 23233
Phone: (804) 367-4456 / Email: pharmbd@dhp.virginia.gov.

Educational Institutions in Virginia for Pharmacists:

What does a pharmacy technician do?

Pharmacy technicians assist in mixing and filling prescriptions and maintaining stock levels. They work under the direction and close supervision of pharmacists.

What might a pharmacy technician do in a workday?

fill prescriptions with prepared drugs and compound sterile intravenous solutions (under the supervision of a pharmacist).
mix pharmaceutical preparations under the direction and supervision of pharmacists.
package and label drugs, chemicals and other pharmaceutical preparations.
order and stock supplies and maintain inventory.
compute drug charges.
deliver prepared medications.
clean equipment and work areas.
sterilize bottles, beakers and other glassware according to prescribed methods.
greet and assist patients and other health care professionals.
gather and input data using a computer.

How much does a pharmacy technician earn?

$18,000 - $31,200

How do I become a pharmacy technician?

Students intending to pursue a career as a pharmacy technician should prepare by taking challenging high school courses in science, math and English. A required national certification exam is offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board. Recertification must be obtained every two years.

Because pharmacy technicians deal with controlled substances, they may be required to undergo background checks. Applicants without prior experience or training may be required to pass a test to determine if they have the necessary aptitude to learn the job. Some typing may be required.

Where else can I learn about becoming a pharmacy technician?

American Association of Pharmacy Technicians
P.O. Box 1447 / Greensboro, NC 27402
tel: (877) 368-4771 / web: www.pharmacytechnician.com

American Pharmacists Association
2215 Constitution Avenue N.W. / Washington, DC 20037
tel: (202) 628-4410 / web: www.pharmacist.com

National Pharmacy Technician Association
P.O. Box 683148 / Houston, TX 77268
tel: (888) 247-8700 / web: www.pharmacytechnician.org

State Licensure Requirements for Pharmacy Technicians:

A license is required to practice as a pharmacy technician in the state of Virginia. For more information on licensure, applications and forms, visit www.dhp.virginia.gov/pharmacy.

Virginia Board of Pharmacy
Perimeter Center
9960 Mayland Drive, Suite 300 / Henrico, VA 23233
Phone: (804) 367-4456 / Email: pharmbd@dhp.virginia.gov

Educational Institutions in Virginia for Pharmacy Technicians:

What does an environmental health specialist do?

Environmental health specialists educate and consult clients and enforce regulations governing the sanitation of food, milk, and water; hazardous and Infectious waste; sewage; institutional environments; and health hazards. They help improve water and sanitation facilities at recreational areas, nursing homes, schools, restaurants, and other locations, and are actively involved in the overall environmental quality of a community.

What might an environmental health specialist do in a workday?

Environmental health specialists:

collect and analyze environmental samples to screen for possible public health hazards.
prepare and calibrate equipment used to collect and analyze samples.
oversee the treatment and disposal of sewage and hazardous or infectious waste.
design and monitor construction of wastewater disposal systems and well installations.
determine pollution problems and initiate stop-action orders.
develop and manage programs to prevent toxic waste contamination, control insects and rodents, dispose of waste, and ensure clean water supplies.
consult and advise physicians and other medical personnel about community health hazards.
help draft laws and regulations and testify in court.
evaluate the handling, processing, and serving of food and milk to identify hazards and ensure compliance.
educate communities on environmental health issues.
conduct and analyze epidemiological data regarding disease outbreaks.
utilize computers to effectively manage data.
communicate well with the public.

Specialties include milk and dairy production, food protection, sewage disposal, pesticide management, air pollution, institutional sanitation, environmental and occupational health, as well as health safety and sanitation in pools, lodging establishments, and migrant labor camps.

How much does an environmental health specialist earn?

$30,000 - $61,000

How do I become an environmental health specialist?

Students interested in becoming environmental health specialists should prepare by taking the most challenging high school courses available in science, math and English, including advanced placement courses.

Most environmental health specialists earn bachelor’s degrees in environmental health. In some instances, related education such as biology, geology or environmental engineering is acceptable. Master’s and doctoral degrees can be earned and certification is available.

Where else can I learn about becoming an environmental health specialist?

American Public Health Association
800 I Street N.W. / Washington, D.C. 20001
tel: (202) 777-2742 (APHA) / web: www.apha.org

Virginia Public Health Association
2415 Westwood Avenue / Richmond, VA 23230
tel: (804) 367-4860 / web: www.vapha.org

National Environmental Health Association
720 S. Colorado Boulevard, Suite 1000-N / Denver, CO 80246
tel: (303) 756-9090 / web: www.neha.org

Educational Institutions in Virginia for Environmental Health Specialists:

What does a biostatitician do?

Biostatisticians are experts in analyzing medical, scientific, and public health data. Many are members of new drug development teams, comparing data on the side effects, success rate, or other aspects of one drug (or drug combination) with that of another. Other biostatisticians are involved in environmental, medical, or public health research.

What might a biostatitician do in a workday?

Depending on the work setting, biostatisticians may:

design and implement studies to measure a treatment’s effectiveness.
review public health information to identify patterns of disease, health-related environmental issues, or health care cost trends.
analyze research data for significance.
develop conclusions and recommendations based on statistical information.

How much does a biostatitician earn?

$37,000 - $150,000

How do I become a biostatitician?

Students interested in becoming a biostatistician should have a strong interest and background in math and science, as well as English. While entry-level biostatistics jobs are available to those who have completed a bachelor’s degree, more advanced positions require a master’s or doctoral degree.

Where else can I learn about becoming a biostatitician?

American Public Health Association
800 I Street N.W. / Washington, DC 20001
tel: (202) 777-2742 (APHA) / web: www.apha.org

American Association for the Advancement of Science
1200 New York Avenue N.W. / Washington, DC 20005
tel: (202) 326-6400 / web: www.aaas.org

American Statistical Association
732 N. Washington Street / Alexandria, VA 22314-1943
tel: (703) 684-1221 or (888) 231-3473 / web: www.amstat.org

Educational Institutions in Virginia for Biostatistician:

What does an epidemiologist do?

Epidemiologists investigate the patterns of disease and other health-related problems. They research diseases’ causes and frequencies, as well as the common characteristics of people most likely to fall victim. They use this information to devise or refine solutions to control or prevent diseases.

What might an epidemiologist do in a workday?

Epidemiologists:

conduct research among large populations to determine disease trends.
develop and test theories regarding the causes and spread of disease.
investigate and identify risk factors for disease.
determine strategies to combat the spread of, occurrence of, or mortality from disease.
compare the effectiveness of various methods for combating diseases.
conduct public health surveillance to monitor the distribution of diseases.

Among the many subspecialties within epidemiology are:

cancer epidemiology
environmental/occupational epidemiology
neuroepidemiology
psychiatric or psychoneuroepidemiology
cardiovascular epidemiology
genetic epidemiology
communicable disease epidemiology
veterinary epidemiology
social epidemiology
behavioral epidemiology
pharmacoepidemiology

How much does an epidemiologist earn?

$40,000 - $100,000

How do I become an epidemiologist?

Those interested in becoming an epidemiologist should have a strong interest and background in math, science and English.

Future epidemiologists need to attend a university school of public health and earn either a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) or Master of Science (M.S.) degree or Ph.D. in Epidemiology. Some epidemiologists also choose to earn a medical degree. Once a degree is earned, continuing education, and certification programs are offered by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

Where else can I learn about becoming an epidemiologist?