Pharmacists
Background
Drugs and medicines are sometimes prescribed by doctors when treating patients in military hospitals and clinics. Pharmacists manage the purchasing, storing, and dispensing of drugs and medicines.
What They Do
Pharmacists in the military perform some or all of the following duties:
- Advise doctors and patients on the proper use and side effects of drugs and medicines
- Check drug and medicine supplies and reorder when necessary
- Consult on drug and medicine research programs
- Direct pharmacy recordkeeping
- Manage pharmacy technicians who prepare, label, and dispense orders for drugs and medicines
- Train medical, nursing, and pharmacy staffs on the use of drugs
Physical Demands
No information available.
Special Requirements
A four-year college degree in pharmacy and a state license to practice pharmacy are required to enter this career.
Helpful Attributes
Helpful attributes include:
- Interest in chemical formulas
- Interest in understanding the effects of drugs and medicines
- Interest in work requiring accuracy and attention to detail
Helpful School Subjects
No information available.
Helpful Fields of Study
No information available.
Work Environment
Pharmacists work in hospitals and clinics on land and aboard ships.
Services offering this career:
- Air Force
- Army
- Coast Guard
- Navy
Hiring Practices
To serve in the military, a person must be at least 17; the maximum age for enlistment varies. To enlist, a person must pass a physical exam and an aptitude test. An enlistee must also meet military standards of discipline and be a US citizen or permanent resident alien.
This position is for officers.
Wages
The military is competitive with the civilian world when it comes to pay and benefits. All branches offer the same basic pay and benefits.
Pay depends mainly on rank or grade as well as length of service. Bonuses and the situation in which the person is serving (for example: flight duty, sea duty, hazardous duty) also affect pay.
Cost-of-living increases usually occur every year, based on inflation. The military also pays allowances for food, clothing, and housing. All these factors combined are called Regular Military Compensation (RMC). They should all be considered when comparing military pay to civilian pay.
There are two main parts to RMC: basic pay and allowances. There are also additional incentives for special abilities, training, or hazardous duty.
Check out the RMC Calculator to calculate your RMC based on your inputs.
Training Provided
No initial job training is provided to officers in this career.
Civilian Counterparts
Civilian pharmacists work for pharmacies, drug stores, and drug departments of stores and supermarkets. They also work for hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics. They perform duties similar to those performed by military pharmacists. Civilian pharmacists who specialize in radioactive drugs (radioisotopes) are known as radiopharmacists.
Related Civilian Careers
Employment and Outlook
In peace time the services have about 500 pharmacists. In times of military action the number may be different, depending on the type of specialties required. Each year the services need new pharmacists due to changes in personnel and the demands of the field. Newly commissioned pharmacists are assigned to military hospitals or clinics, where they manage daily operations. Positions for pharmacists in the Coast Guard are filled by U.S. Public Health Service Officers. In time, pharmacists plan and direct pharmacy or other health programs.