What Does a Pharmacist Do?
As long as people take prescription medicines, pharmacists will be needed to make sure each dose is safe, correct and understood. They check prescriptions for errors and drug interactions, counsel patients, give vaccines and advise doctors and nurses on therapy. Retail pharmacies and hospitals are the main employers, and some pharmacists complete a residency to move into clinical roles such as oncology or critical care.
Also known as: Clinical Resident Pharmacy
Pharmacist Duties and Responsibilities
The primary responsibilities of a pharmacist include:
- Verify prescriptions for the right drug, dose, route and patient before they are released.
- Screen medication profiles for interactions, allergies and duplicate therapy.
- Counsel patients on how and when to take each medicine and what side effects to watch for.
- Administer vaccines such as flu and shingles shots where state law allows.
- Advise physicians and nurses on drug choice, dosing and monitoring in hospital care.
- Supervise pharmacy technicians and check their work at each step of filling.
- Manage controlled substance records and investigate any count discrepancies.
- Resolve insurance rejections and prior authorization problems with prescribers and insurers.
- Review lab results to adjust doses of drugs such as warfarin or vancomycin.
- Report adverse drug events and medication errors through the proper channels.
Required Skills and Qualifications
To succeed as a pharmacist, you will need the following skills and qualifications:
- Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree
- State pharmacist license (NAPLEX and MPJE)
- Drug interactions, dosing and pharmacology
- Pharmacy systems such as Epic Willow or retail dispensing software
- Immunization certification
- Clear counseling in plain language
- Accuracy through steady volume and interruptions
- Postgraduate residency for clinical hospital roles
Education and Training
Most pharmacists qualify through a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program after prerequisite college courses, but some start out by working as pharmacy technicians while they study. All states require pharmacists to be licensed. While many graduates go straight into community pharmacy, it is a good idea to apply for a residency in your final year if you want a clinical hospital post.
Salary and Job Outlook
Typical pay: $129,380 - $161,840 per year, with a median of $140,910.
The range covers the middle half of earners nationwide. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Pharmacists.
According to BLS, employment of pharmacists is projected to grow about 5 percent from 2025 to 2035. That translates into roughly 12,500 openings a year. Drugstore chains have closed locations in recent years, while hospitals and clinics keep adding clinical roles, so residency training carries more weight.
Outlook source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2025 to 2035, Pharmacists.