Retail pharmacists fill and dispense medications to patients.
The position of pharmacy director has a lengthy job description that changes depending on whether the director works in an inpatient or outpatient setting. In either case, good management skills are necessary, as well as the ability to multitask. Good people skills are also a must, since the position requires relationships with co-workers and patients.
Education
Pharmacists must now earn a Doctor of Pharmacy degree (PharmD). The PharmD replaced degrees such as the bachelor's in pharmacy previously offered. Pharmacy directors usually need experience as a licensed pharmacist prior to receiving a promotion a director's position.
Job Duties
The director of pharmacy's duties relate to the people who work for him. One North Dakota company requires its director to select, orientate, supervise, instruct and dismiss departmental personnel. In addition, she must show proficiency in "determining workload and delegating assignments, training, monitoring, scheduling and evaluating performance."
Pharmacists focus on dispensing medications and customer care. Pharmacy directors focus more on management. The director establishes and adheres to policies that benefit the corporation. Medications must be procured, and the director must have quality control and cost efficiency in mind at all times. The director should also focus on inventory control.
Work Environment
In a hospital setting, pharmacists and directors deal with patients. Patient outcomes are very important. Directors must make sure that medications are dispensed in a timely fashion. This may mean coordinating with other departments. Patients or their family members who have complaints will probably direct them to the director of pharmacy for resolution.
In a retail setting, the patients become customers. Since customers have a wide variety of pharmacies from which to choose, it is incumbent upon the director to run the pharmacy in such a way that the customers return, and even refer family members and friends. The director should make sure policies dictate that medications are in stock, that personnel is knowledgeable so they can answer customer questions, and that personnel provide efficient and friendly help to customers.
Compliance
The North Dakota job description requires the director to follow "policies and procedures and requirements of State and Federal regulatory agencies." This is true of a pharmacy director in every state. The director must make sure medications are lawfully stored and dispensed. The director makes sure that she, and her employees, have up-to-date licenses and certificates and adhere to strict accreditation standards.
Industry Outlook
According to the Salary Wizard website, the average annual salary of a pharmacy director in the United States is $133,067 as of November 2009. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics website, "Employment is expected to increase faster than the average. As a result of job growth, the need to replace workers who leave the occupation, and the limited capacity of training programs, job prospects should be excellent."
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