Pediatric Pharmacists

Job Description and Requirements for Becoming a Pediatric Pharmacist

Pediatric Pharmacists must possess a license and a Pharm.D. degree in order to find a job. Careers related to Pediatric Pharmacy include pharmacy technology, chemistry, medical science, pharmacy science and nursing.

Pediatric Pharmacist Career Definition
Pediatric Pharmacists counsel children and their parents about medication and write prescriptions as needed. They track their patients' medical progress and make sure that there are no harmful drug interactions or unexpected side effects. Pediatric Pharmacists often work in medical facilities like doctor's offices, pharmacies and hospitals.

How to Become a Pediatric Pharmacist
Education Required for a Career in Pediatric Pharmacy
Pediatric Pharmacists must have a Pharm.D. degree from an accredited school and hold a state license to legally work in the field. The requirements for the license can vary by state, but they usually involve passing a number of written tests. Most Pharm.D. programs admit students who have already completed two or three years of college-level courses and the programs themselves often take several additional years, often including a period of residency. Students who want to become Pediatric Pharmacists should take classes like biology, chemistry, pharmacology and research techniques.

Necessary Skills for a Career as a Pediatric Pharmacist
Pediatric Pharmacists need to have excellent communication skills and should be good with children. They need an eye for detail and should have a firm understanding of medications' effects on the human body.

Career and Economic Outlook for a Pediatric Pharmacy
While there isn't much data related directly to Pediatric Pharmacy, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov) does predict job growth of about 22% over the next several years for pharmacy as a whole while new medications are developed to treat a variety of physical and mental conditions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the median annual salary for a pharmacist at about $95,000.