Health care careers

1. Health care careers Therapeutic services pharmacy

2. Pharmacy industry… The most familiar and visible people working in the pharmacy industry are the individuals who fill or assist in filling prescriptions. They also educate the clients on how to use their medications safely and correctly.

3. Pharmacy aide… The pharmacy aide usually receives informal, on-the-job training. They assist the pharmacist with clerical duties such as answering the phone, billing, stocking shelves, cashier, maintaining inventory, preparing insurance claim forms, etc.

4. Pharmacy technician… The pharmacy technician usually has a certificate or associate degree. They must read, fill, and dispense prescriptions under the direction of the licensed pharmacist. They may fulfill all the duties of the pharmacy aide, and also retrieve, count, pour, weigh, measure, and sometimes mix the medications.

5. Pharmacy technician… The pharmacy technician prepares prescription labels, selects the type of containers, and affixes the labels to the containers. They must be able to communicate with doctors and clients.

6. The pharmacist… The pharmacist usually starts in a pre-pharmacy program of study, followed by application to and completion of a pharmacy school. This takes 5-7 years, followed by an internship under a licensed pharmacist. They must then pass board tests, becoming a registered pharmacist… an expert on medications.

7. The pharmacist… The pharmacist advises physicians and other health practitioners on the selection, dosages, interactions (the effect of using one substance on another), and side effects of medications.

8. The pharmacist… The pharmacist counsels clients and answers questions about prescription drugs, those that can only be dispensed via a written order of a physician. This includes possible adverse reactions and interactions. They give advice about medical equipment and home health care supplies.

9. The pharmacist… The pharmacist provides information and recommendations for over-the-counter (OTC)drugs… those that can be purchased without a prescription.

10. Where the pharmacist works… The pharmacist may work in an independently owned, chain, or franchise ‘drug store’ or pharmacy. They may also work in a hospital. In a hospital setting, the pharmacist may prepare IV medications, stock the nursing stations, or deliver medications to hospital rooms. They may instruct the patients in continuing drug therapies after they leave the hospital.

11. Related careers: pharmaceutical researchers… A pharmaceutical researcher works as a part of a team in developing new medications. They also refine or improve existing medications.

12. Related careers: pharmaceutical representatives… A pharmaceutical representative combines science with business. They travel to pharmacies, clinics, and hospitals to meet with doctors, nurses, and pharmacists. They promote the use of new drugs and drug therapies available through the company they represent. They may provide trial samples.

13. Drug labels… The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and the National Formulary (NF) are both national listings of the generic names of medications. A drug label includes the brand name, in capital letters, and the generic name. TYLENOL is a brand name; ‘acetaminophen’ is the generic name. This is a medication commonly used for pain and fever.

14. Drug labels… Drug labels include the form of the medication. Some medications are offered in numerous forms: such as tablets, capsules, or liquids. A drug label indicates the total number of volume in the container, such as the number of tablets or the amount of liquid.

15. Drug labels… Drug labels indicate the route of administration. This tells how the medication is to be taken… by mouth, topically, eardrops, eye drops, IV, etc. A drug label lists appropriate warnings, such as “may be habit forming”, “stay out of sunlight”, “take with food”, “shake well”, “do not refrigerate”, “this drug may cause drowsiness”, etc.

16. Drug labels… Drug labels give storage information when appropriate, such as “store in the refrigerator” or “store away from light”. The label also gives manufacturer information, such as the name of the manufacturer and expiration date of the medication.

17. Drug packaging… Oral medications are often packaged in dosages. A single dose may be contained in small foil or plastic packages. Packages of multiple-dose medications may have child-resistant lids. A physician may order or a client may request a non-child resistant container.

18. Over-the-counter medications… Over-the-counter (OTC) medications can be dispensed without a prescription, but can still have side effects or interfere with other medications taken. They may be the same as prescription medications, only in lower doses.

19. Drug interactions… Medications sometimes interfere with each other OR with other substances. This is called a drug interaction, and can either cause a medication not to work OR cause side effects not normally found. The consumption of alcohol, smoking cigarettes, or consuming too much caffeine is ‘contra-indicated’ with some drugs. The client should never take ANY type of medications during pregnancy without the advice of physician.

20. Hazardous drugs to the pharmacist… Some drugs can be hazardous to the drug handler. The pharmacist or pharmacy technician must guard against exposure to hazardous drugs. Corrosive materials are substances that can damage body tissues. Cytotoxic materials are poisonous to cells such as anti-neoplastic drugs (those used to treat cancer). The pharmacist must practice standard operating procedures and wear protective equipment to minimize risk of exposure.

21. Controlled substances… Prescription medications are also called ‘legend’ drugs, and can only be dispensed with a label that reads “Caution: Federal Law Prohibits Dispensing Without a Prescription”. The Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970 was created to combat and control drug abuse. It defines 5 categories of controlled substances.

22. 5 Categories of Controlled substances… Schedule I Substances: No accepted medical use and high abuse potential (Heroin, LSD) Schedule II Substances: High abuse potential or physical dependence liability (codeine, oxycodone Percodan, Dilaudid, Ritalin) Schedule III Substances: Some narcotic effects (Tyloenol with codeine, pentobarbital and secobarbital compounds) Schedule IV Substances: Limited abuse potential (Darvon, Valilum, Xanax, Phenobarbital, Miltown, Librium). Schedule V Substances: Less abuse potential; generally antidiarrheals and analgesic meds

23. Prescription abbreviations… a.c. : before meals ad lib. : as desired BID or b.i.d. : twice a day h. or hr. : hourly h.s. : hour of sleep, bedtime n. or noc. : night p.c. : after meals PRN or p.r.n. : as necessary q.d. or QD: every day q.h. : every hour Q2h or q.2h. : every 2 hours QID or q.i.d. : four times a day q.o.d. : every other day stat: immediately TID or t.i.d. : three times a day =prescription

24. Health care careers Therapeutic services Pharmacy The end