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Pharmacists
Description
Dispense drugs prescribed by physicians and other health practitioners and provide information to patients about medications and their use. May advise physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosage, interactions, and side effects of medications.
Common Tasks
- Review prescriptions to assure accuracy, to ascertain the needed ingredients, and to evaluate their suitability.
- Provide information and advice regarding drug interactions, side effects, dosage, and proper medication storage.
- Analyze prescribing trends to monitor patient compliance and to prevent excessive usage or harmful interactions.
- Order and purchase pharmaceutical supplies, medical supplies, or drugs, maintaining stock and storing and handling it properly.
- Maintain records, such as pharmacy files, patient profiles, charge system files, inventories, control records for radioactive nuclei, or registries of poisons, narcotics, or controlled drugs.
Required Education
Doctoral or professional degree
Wages
In 2016 the mean hourly wage in the Greater Sacramento area was $66.08 . The hourly rate for this occupation typically paid between $51.41 and $79.81 .
In 2016 the mean annual salary in the Greater Sacramento area was $137,453.62 . The annual salary for this occupation typically paid between $106,947.83 and $166,011.59 .
Occupation Outlook
This occupation employed 2,040 people in the Greater Sacramento area during 2014.
By 2024, there is expected to be an increase of 14.2% in the number of jobs in the Greater Sacramento area for this occupation, bringing to total number to 2,330.
By 2024, in the Greater Sacramento area, the median hourly rate for this occupation is expected to be $69.00 with the median annual salary reaching $145,387.
