Typical Career Progression
| |
Position |
Remuneration |
Education |
| Start Position |
Intern Pharmacist |
$38,000 |
Completed 4 years studies – Bachelor of Pharmacy |
| 1st Promotion |
Newly Registered Pharmacist |
$65,000+ |
Bachelor of Pharmacy |
| 2nd Promotion |
Pharmacist in Charge |
$75,000+ |
Bachelor of Pharmacy |
| 3rd Promotion |
Pharmacy Manager |
$85,000+ |
Bachelor of Pharmacy |
| 4th Promotion |
Owner of Pharmacy |
NA |
Bachelor of Pharmacy |
*The above table is to be used as a guide only
Typical accountabilities and responsibilities
The Pharmacist is responsible and accountable for the actual personal supervision and management of the professional aspects of the pharmacy including, but not limited to:
- Dispensing of prescriptions
- Patient counseling
- Sale and dispensing of Schedule drugs
- Sale and Advice relating to general medicines
- Communication with medical practitioners, allied health professionals, and appropriate community groups
- Compliance with Standards of Practice
- Supervision of opening and closing of pharmacy business
- Providing and maintaining excellent customer service for each and every customer within the guidelines and regulations of the profession.
For those pharmacists in managerial roles, accountabilities and responsibilities also include human resources, inventory control, marketing, merchandising and financial management.
Career Path & Employment opportunities
Your career path as a qualified pharmacist offers a variety of choices. There are two main pharmacy options available – community retail pharmacy and hospital pharmacy. Each offers differing career options to the pharmacist.
Those choosing a career in hospital pharmacy may elect to pursue a role as the manager of the hospital pharmacy while those embarking on a career in community retail pharmacy may opt to work as a locum pharmacist in one or more pharmacies, or to seek a more permanent role, allowing them the opportunity to progress to a pharmacy manager position or to seek partnership or ownership opportunities.
As a pharmacist you will enjoy a high level of job security. Australia has a growing elderly population. New research developments lead to Medicare and health insurance plans covering more prescription drugs, and in general to an increased range and use of medications and other health products,.
With extended trading hours and complete health care solutions on offer to patients, the services of pharmacy remain in high demand. As a result, in times of worldwide economic difficulty, the health care industry always remains strong.
About the Author
Terry White
Terry White with his wife, Rhonda, established the Terry White Chemists group of pharmacies. They appointed their first franchisee in 1994 which now has 111 stores from Cairns to Perth with a turnover of $550 million.
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