CAREERS IN PHARMACY
If you ’ ve ever had a prescription filled at your local community pharmacy , you probably think you know what pharmacists do . The fact is , community pharmacy represents only one of dozens of career paths our graduates pursue .
AGED CARE PHARMACIST Older people often have complex needs when it comes to medications . They ’ re frequently taking a number of different medications and can be more susceptible to side effects . They may also need adjustments to their medications to accommodate difficulties with vision , hearing , memory , cognitive function or organ dysfunction .
CLINICAL TRIALS PHARMACIST Pharmacists in this area support the management and delivery of clinical trials of new medicines . The role involves coordinating studies from a medicinal perspective , ensuring that drugs used in the trials are imported , stored , accounted for , compounded , dispensed and used in accordance with strict protocols . It may involve liaising with hospital staff , counselling participants and carers , and educating medical and nursing staff .
COMPLEX CARE COORDINATOR A relatively new career path , complex care coordination involves working with a hospital healthcare team and is often combined with consultant pharmacy work . The role involves providing early post-discharge medication review and follow-up plans for patients identified as being ‘ high risk ’ by hospital clinicians .
CONSULTANT PHARMACIST Accredited consultant pharmacists conduct home medicines reviews and residential medication management reviews . As with many roles , consultant pharmacists often work part time undertaking medication reviews , while also working in other healthcare settings such as working at a community health centre , working with chronic disease management groups , or providing nurse education .
DRUG SAFETY OFFICER Pharmacovigilance is an area focusing on monitoring drug safety . A pharmacist working as a drug safety officer liaises regularly with government and industry bodies , consumers and other healthcare professionals . Their responsibilities include receiving and processing reports of adverse drug events and conducting regular conciliation with health authorities . They use their skills and qualifications to ensure the public has access to safe and reliable medications .
HOSPITAL PHARMACIST Hospital pharmacy involves a lot of collaboration as you find yourself working closely with a team of other healthcare professionals , including doctors and nurses , to provide the best care for patients . Working as a hospital pharmacist helps you develop valuable skills that are highly sought after in other pharmacy settings . Many pharmacists will spend some part of their career in a hospital environment .
PRIMARY CARE PHARMACIST A practice pharmacist doesn ’ t dispense medicines . Instead , they work within a general medical practice to deliver direct support to general practitioners , practice nurses , and patients . They can often give more time and attention to individual cases , providing quality care and specialised services such as smoking cessation .
PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISOR Pharmacists have knowledge , skills and experience that can contribute to advisory roles , both for the government as well as non-government institutions , such as health funds and private hospitals . The range of possible roles in this area is extensive , including medicines access , public health , developing eHealth services and more .
REGULATORY AFFAIRS ASSOCIATE Working in regulation involves ensuring the appropriate licensing of and legal compliance by pharmaceutical and medical products . Following this career path , you are involved in ensuring that a company ’ s products comply with regulations and legislation .
RESEARCHER / ACADEMIC Many students find their passion for research while studying and go on to make a career of exploring and developing ideas in pharmacy . Through research and evaluation , pharmacists can make a huge practical difference to health policy and services . Common research areas for pharmacy graduates include pharmacy practice , pharmacotherapy , drug discovery , toxicology , clinical sciences , public health and many more .
Monash ’ s innovative pharmacy curriculum particularly impressed me . The program fostered a strong foundation in self-directed learning , equipping us with the skills to become resourceful and independent practitioners . This approach encouraged critical thinking and instilled a lifelong habit of seeking out new knowledge and solutions .”
TAN XUAN YING
Bachelor of Pharmacy ( Honours ) Pharmacist , Chemist Warehouse Cairns , Australia
5