Pharmacy Career Opportunities (2024)

Clinical Pharmacists

Our clinical pharmacists are integral members of an interdisciplinary team that include other medical professionals, patients and their families. this includes a multidisciplinary rounds process, inter-departmental in-services and patient education. Pharmacists provide extensive clinical services including drug therapy management of pharmaco*kinetics, parenteral nutrition, anticoagulation, renal dosing, parenteral conversion, and therapeutic drug monitoring. Pharmacists are part of the team monitoring patient progress, planning patient care, educating patients and caregivers, and participating in clinical research.

An ACPE-accredited CE program supports professional growth and development. There are a multitude of precepting opportunities available throughout the year as well. Clinical Pharmacists are required to be licensed with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy. Please visit the Virginia Department of Health Professions Web site for licensure information.

http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/

Clinical Specialists

Clinical Specialists serve as clinical experts in specialty practice areas, such as critical care, internal medicine, emergency medicine, medication safety, drug information, and ambulatory care. Our clinical specialists also serve as a resource for the clinical pharmacists, as well as initiating and implementing improvements in clinical practice. Clinical leadership and mentoring experience along with a proven record of success in developing and implementing new programs are keys to success. Clinical specialist positions are created where the need for specialty knowledge, experience and clinical leadership exist, and require experience beyond the usual entry level clinical pharmacist.

Each site also has a Clinical Coordinator to provide formal clinical leadership to pharmacy team members, aiding the staff in planning project, managing outcomes, evaluating care, and integrating pharmacy services with other members of the health care team. Minimum qualifications include one year experience as a clinical specialist.

Clinical Specialists are required to be licensed with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy. Please visit the

Virginia Department of Health Professions

Web site for licensure information.

New Graduates

Sentara is an ideal place to start your pharmacy career. Success for Sentara pharmacists is built on excellent customer service, relationships, teamwork, and communication skills. Clinical experience and/or residency training is beneficial, but Sentara presents a wealth of opportunities for learning, experience, and professional growth. The atmosphere provides a group practice with many experienced pharmacists, and offers many ways to develop and enhance your skills in an innovative environment.

New graduates must receive licensure within 90 days of hire and are paid as pharmacists during this time.
Our orientation program assesses each individual’s background and pairs you with an experienced mentor to guide your transition to independent practice. We ensure the new employee is comfortable with the distributive processes, our automated dispensing machines- Omnicell, and our computer system Epic. After gaining an understanding of the operations, a mentor will assess, teach, and document your clinical competencies before independently placing you in a patient care area. Orientation time varies, and depends on your experience and how quickly you demonstrate comfort in each area.

The interview process for spring/summer graduates begins in the fall with interview days at regional pharmacy schools and in December at ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. On-site interviews begin in January.

Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians are required to be licensed with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy. Please visit the

Virginia Department of Health Professions

web site for licensure information.

Home Infusion

Home infusion therapy is an exciting and unique practice setting for pharmacists. New and experienced pharmacists have the opportunity to become certified in home infusion pharmacy therapy, as a means of training and validating competency. Sentara Home Care Servicesis a safe and effective alternative to inpatient care for many disease states and therapies, and provides a full spectrum of home care services for patients of all ages. Our patients benefit at home from much of the same advanced technology that is available in Sentara hospitals.

Sentara Home Care Services offers high-tech, high-quality intravenous therapies administered by a registered nurse. Our home infusion pharmacists must be knowledgeable about issues that are unique to this practice setting such as extended drug stability and compatibility, and be familiar with a wide range of venous access devices. The referring physician, pharmacists, certified home infusion nurses, and dietitian collaboratively develop a plan of care that meets the patient’s home infusion needs. Our pharmacists provide extensive clinical services including: pharmaco*kinetic consultations and drug selection assistance, conversion assistance from oral/topical to IV/SC pain management, clinical patient monitoring and weekly case conferencing by pharmacists, nurses, and our Infusion Medical Director. Some of the home infusion therapies we provide include antibiotics, hydration, pain management, total parenteral nutrition, IV immune globulin, inotropes, transfusion of blood products, chemotherapy, and growth hormone.

Sentara Home Care Services coordinates patient care throughout the Greater Hampton Roads area including the Suffolk/Franklin area, the Peninsula, Williamsburg, and Northeastern North Carolina. Our infusion team is available to serve 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Home Infusion Therapists are required to be licensed with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy. Please visit the

Virginia Department of Health Professions

web site for licensure information.

Long-term Care

Sentara Rx is Sentara Heathcare's long term care pharmacy. Sentara Rx provides pharmaceutical care to the Sentara Life Care Division of long-term care nursing centers (7), assisted living villages (3) and the PACE Senior Community Day Program.

Clinical pharmacists and technicians focused on geriatric pharmaceutical care provide specialized services for this growing and challenging population. Consultant pharmacists provide on-site drug monitoring and evaluations to improve pharmaceutical care. Clinical pharmacists from the pharmacy provide distribution and clinical services that include IV therapy dosing and therapeutic interchanges, disease state management, and drug information.

The pharmacy utilizes several patient safety technologies that includes bar code dispensing verification and medication images and imprints to help pharmacists and nurses identify correct medications for administration.

Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians are required to be licensed with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy. Please visit the

Virginia Department of Health Professions

Web site for licensure information.

Pharmacy Management

Pharmacy managers provide leadership at each site of care, with a central pharmacy director and managers for clinical services and operations. This management team collaborates on all issues affecting the system, meeting regularly to develop goals, plans, and strategies for advancing pharmaceutical care throughout the system. This workgroup is supported by an information technology team, drug information service, a medication safety pharmacist, and a statistician.

Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians are required to be licensed with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy. Please visit the

Virginia Department of Health Professions

web site for licensure information.

Pharmacy Technicians

Pharmacy Technicians experience up to date technology utilizing automated dispensing devices (Pyxis) which are used to manage inventories and provide drug distribution throughout the hospital. Technicians receive thorough training in preparing IV admixtures. These include adult and neonatal TPN solutions, chemotherapy, IVIG, CVVHD solutions, antibiotics, etc. Technicians are taught to package unit dose tablets and liquids using high volume packaging equipment. All technicians receive instruction on preparing specialized baby formula for neonates.

Pharmacy Technicians are required to be licensed with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy. Please visit the

Virginia Department of Health Professions

web site for licensure information.

Expand all accordion items

Our clinical pharmacists are integral members of an interdisciplinary team that include other medical professionals, patients and their families. this includes a multidisciplinary rounds process, inter-departmental in-services and patient education. Pharmacists provide extensive clinical services including drug therapy management of pharmaco*kinetics, parenteral nutrition, anticoagulation, renal dosing, parenteral conversion, and therapeutic drug monitoring. Pharmacists are part of the team monitoring patient progress, planning patient care, educating patients and caregivers, and participating in clinical research.

An ACPE-accredited CE program supports professional growth and development. There are a multitude of precepting opportunities available throughout the year as well. Clinical Pharmacists are required to be licensed with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy. Please visit the Virginia Department of Health Professions Web site for licensure information.

http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/

Clinical Specialists serve as clinical experts in specialty practice areas, such as critical care, , internal medicine, emergency medicine, medication safety, drug information, and ambulatory care. Our clinical specialists also serve as a resource for the clinical pharmacists, as well as initiating and implementing improvements in clinical practice. Clinical leadership and mentoring experience along with a proven record of success in developing and implementing new programs are keys to success. Clinical specialist positions are created where the need for specialty knowledge, experience and clinical leadership exist, and require experience beyond the usual entry level clinical pharmacist.

Each site also has a Clinical Coordinator to provide formal clinical leadership to pharmacy team members, aiding the staff in planning project, managing outcomes, evaluating care, and integrating pharmacy services with other members of the health care team. Minimum qualifications include one year experience as a clinical specialist.

Clinical Specialists are required to be licensed with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy. Please visit the

Virginia Department of Health Professions

Web site for licensure information.

Sentara is an ideal place to start your pharmacy career. Success for Sentara pharmacists is built on excellent customer service, relationships, teamwork, and communication skills. Clinical experience and/or residency training is beneficial, but Sentara presents a wealth of opportunities for learning, experience, and professional growth. The atmosphere provides a group practice with many experienced pharmacists, and offers many ways to develop and enhance your skills in an innovative environment.

New graduates must receive licensure within 90 days of hire and are paid as pharmacists during this time.

Our orientation program assesses each individual’s background and pairs you with an experienced mentor to guide your transition to independent practice. We ensure the new employee is comfortable with the distributive processes, our automated dispensing machines- Omnicell, and our computer system Epic. After gaining an understanding of the operations, a mentor will assess, teach, and document your clinical competencies before independently placing you in a patient care area. Orientation time varies, and depends on your experience and how quickly you demonstrate comfort in each area.

Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians are required to be licensed with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy. Please visit the

Virginia Department of Health Professions

web site for licensure information.

The home infusion nurse is a registered nurse who specializes in administering medications by infusion ranging from antibiotic and cardiac therapy, to parenteral and blood products. The nurse ensures there are no contra-indicators, and educates the patient and their family on how to administer their own medications and manage their disease process.

The home infusion burse possesses excellent assessment skills as well as the ability to combine high tech, high touch and critical thinking skills to assess the patient’s health and detect any changes. Our nurses are compassionate about patient care and possess the skills to react quickly when needed. They are flexible and demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills to care for a diverse patient population.

Sentara Rx is Sentara HealthCare's long term care pharmacy. Sentara Rx provides pharmaceutical care to the Sentara Life Care Division of long-term care nursing centers (7), assisted living villages (3) and the PACE Senior Community Day Program.

Clinical pharmacists and technicians focused on geriatric pharmaceutical care provide specialized services for this growing and challenging population. Consultant pharmacists provide on-site drug monitoring and evaluations to improve pharmaceutical care. Clinical pharmacists from the pharmacy provide distribution and clinical services that include IV therapy dosing and therapeutic interchanges, disease state management, and drug information.

The pharmacy utilizes several patient safety technologies that includes bar code dispensing verification and medication images and imprints to help pharmacists and nurses identify correct medications for administration.

Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians are required to be licensed with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy. Please visit the

Virginia Department of Health Professions

Web site for licensure information.

Pharmacy managers provide leadership at each site of care, with a central pharmacy director and managers for clinical services and operations. This management team collaborates on all issues affecting the system, meeting regularly to develop goals, plans, and strategies for advancing pharmaceutical care throughout the system. This workgroup is supported by an information technology team, drug information service, a medication safety pharmacist, and a statistician.

Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians are required to be licensed with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy. Please visit the

Virginia Department of Health Professions

web site for licensure information.

Pharmacy Technicians experience up to date technology utilizing automated dispensing devices (Pyxis) which are used to manage inventories and provide drug distribution throughout the hospital. Technicians receive thorough training in preparing IV admixtures. These include adult and neonatal TPN solutions, chemotherapy, IVIG, CVVHD solutions, antibiotics, etc. Technicians are taught to package unit dose tablets and liquids using high volume packaging equipment. All technicians receive instruction on preparing specialized baby formula for neonates.

Pharmacy Technicians are required to be licensed with the Virginia Board of Pharmacy. Please visit the

Virginia Department of Health Professions

web site for licensure information.

Pharmacy Career Opportunities (2024)

FAQs

Why are you interested in pharmacy answer? ›

Example answer: “I've been passionate about helping people with their health for a long time and have always been interested in science. Becoming a pharmacist allowed me to combine these two interests and it allows me to do something I enjoy every day.”

What led you to choose a career in pharmacy? ›

I Want to Help People Get Well

Pharmacists play a key role in helping patients feel better and get well as quickly as possible. Patients do best when pharmacists are part of their healthcare teams because pharmacists are the medication specialists. Pharmacists improve medication adherence.

Is becoming a pharmacist still worth it? ›

A career in pharmacy is lucrative. The median annual pharmacist salary was $132,750 last year; the top 10 percent earned more than $164,000.

Do you think pharmacy field is a good career choice? ›

A career in pharmacy is a great way to put a passion for science into practice and make a difference in people's lives. Your desired salary. Most pharmacists earn six-figure incomes with the average annual salary at around $128,000.

Why do you love working in pharmacy? ›

Helping others is a key reason why people choose to become pharmacists. We are so grateful to work at a company and in an industry where we can contribute to that cause and give time back to pharmacists to do more of what they love: help others.

Why do you want to join pharma? ›

One of the main reasons to consider a career in the pharmaceutical industry is the potential for scientific discovery and innovation. Pharmaceutical companies are at the forefront of medical research, developing new treatments and therapies that help people live longer, healthier lives.

Why do people choose to go into pharmacy? ›

Pharmacists not only work with patients to ensure they understand the medications they have been prescribed, but they also get to collaborate with others as part of a larger health care team. A degree in pharmacy also can be a pathway to specialties like geriatric or pediatric care or a focus on research.

Why you selected pharmacy as a career essay? ›

The number one reason I have decided to become a pharmacist is because I want to help and assist others. The satisfaction of me helping a patient get better quickly is the motivation that drives me. The second reason is the act of working with other health care professionals.

Why choose a career in pharmaceutical industry? ›

With job stability, competitive salaries and benefits, diverse career paths, opportunities for professional development, and the ability to make a difference in people's lives, there are many reasons to consider a career in the pharmaceutical industry.

What are 3 cons of being a pharmacist? ›

Cons of being a pharmacist
  • Extended schooling. In addition to at least two years of undergraduate study, you must earn a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. ...
  • Competitive field. ...
  • Limited career advancement. ...
  • Physical fatigue. ...
  • Underappreciated work. ...
  • High-pressure work.
Mar 10, 2023

Is pharmacy a declining field? ›

Employment of pharmacists is projected to grow 3 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

Is the pharmacy field oversaturated? ›

“Currently, there's a saturation of the job market for community pharmacy positions, and we know that an employer-driven job market such as this will have pharmacists working more with static or stagnant salaries,” Park said.

Is pharmacist a happy career? ›

These showed that when pharmacists were asked to rate their overall job satisfaction on a scale of 1 to 7 (with 1 being “not at all” satisfied and 7 being “extremely” satisfied), the aver-age response among the 148 respondents was 3.76, down from 4.41 in 2021.

Which is the best field in pharmacy? ›

Top Career in B Pharmacy
Job ProfilesAverage Salary (in INR)
Drug Inspector2.8 LPA
Quality Control3.4 LPA
Clinical Researcher5 LPA
Hospital Pharmacist2.6 LPA
6 more rows
May 23, 2024

Is pharmacy stressful? ›

Stress can significantly impact the lives of pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and nurses. These professionals work in high-pressure environments that require them to be constantly attentive to details, and any mistakes can have serious consequences for patients.

Why should I be interested in being a pharmacist? ›

Pharmacists not only work with patients to ensure they understand the medications they have been prescribed, but they also get to collaborate with others as part of a larger health care team. A degree in pharmacy also can be a pathway to specialties like geriatric or pediatric care or a focus on research.

How to answer pharmacy interview questions? ›

The best approach to respond is to keep the selection criteria or key competencies in mind, and summarize your relevant background and training listed on the 'TELL' side of your “Tell/Know List”. A synopsis of your academic training, professional skills and interest in the position should take only 2-‐3 minutes.

What inspired you to be a pharmacist? ›

Q: What first sparked your interest in pharmacy? Tevin: “I was inspired to pursue a career in pharmacy after seeing medical problems. Seeing people with diseases and sicknesses inspired me to get out there and help; that, and the fact that my mother went to school to be a nurse.”

Why do you want to be a pharmacy tech answer? ›

Example answer

“I have always been interested in medicine and love helping people. Becoming a pharmacy technician is a great way for me to learn more about medications and treatments while helping people.”

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