CAREERS IN PHARMACY
A DEGREE OF OPPORTUNITY
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.
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