Pediatric Pharmacist |
Career OverviewThe role of a pediatric pharmacist is to make and supply medications and drug therapies for children. Many of the same principles and procedures are the same for treating adults as children however there are some very specific differences that a pediatric pharmacist must be aware of before allowing the patient and his or her family to get the medication.
A pediatric pharmacist often must work with compounding to be able to make the acceptable dosage for children. Most medications come designed for average weight adults and they cannot be given to children without being properly adjusted for the much smaller body weight of a child.
In addition the pediatric pharmacist must be able to work with parents and children to have them aware of any possible adverse reactions or side effects to the various mediations. For children with long term or chronic illness the pediatric pharmacist may request the assistance of the parents to help monitor and report on the drug therapy being used since the child may be too young to self-report.
Excellent communication and a good understanding of child development and growth are essential for a pediatric pharmacist. Most pediatric pharmacists work standard hours and usually work either in hospital setting or in larger pharmacies or independently run pharmacies that focus on providing family pharmacy care.
Depending on the area that the pediatric pharmacist works in a second language may be very beneficial.
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Career RequirementsA pediatric pharmacist is a licensed pharmacist so must meet all state regulations for the profession. Most pediatric pharmacist are Pharm-D graduates which means that they have their Doctor of Pharmacy, as well as have completed all required exams for licensure. Some pharmacists may have a Bachelor of Science plus a one or two-year residency program although this career option is not as common.
Additional coursework in child development and compounding is often required for a pediatric pharmacist.
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Job OutlookThe pharmacy sector of the job market continues to grow at a higher than average rate according to the United States Department of Labor. It is predicted that this trend will continue at least until the year 2014. Those individuals with a specialization such as pediatric pharmacy may also be in high demand to return as faculty members to schools of pharmacy.
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Career TrackA pediatric pharmacist may move into almost any other specialization in pharmacy including management. Often pediatric pharmacists may become researchers or work for private pharmaceutical companies to develop child appropriate medications and dosages. Some pediatric pharmacists return to teaching to work with new pharmacists in training.
Pediatric pharmacists may also move from clinical settings into owning or managing their own pharmacy. Some pharmacists buy out an existing pharmacist that is retiring whereas others open a new facility.
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CompensationAs with all pharmacy careers those paediatric pharmacists working in hospitals will make slightly less than those pediatric pharmacists working for chain department stores or pharmacies. Pediatric pharmacists working for pharmaceuticals will make the highest yearly salary. The average salary for this profession is between $84,000 and $89,000 per year.
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