Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Pharmacist
What pharmacists actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
Verify the morning prescription queue. From there, the day usually includes verify prescriptions for accuracy, check for drug interactions and allergies, and counsel patients on medications. Retail and hospital pharmacies often require evenings, weekends and holidays; some hospitals need overnight pharmacists.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a pharmacist working full time.
- Verify the morning prescription queue.
- Call a doctor about a drug interaction.
- Give flu and shingles vaccines.
- Counsel a patient starting a blood thinner.
- Help a customer choose an allergy medicine.
- Check controlled substance counts.
- Resolve insurance rejections with technicians.
Where pharmacists work
Pharmacists work in retail pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, mail-order pharmacies and industry.
Hours and schedule
Retail and hospital pharmacies often require evenings, weekends and holidays; some hospitals need overnight pharmacists.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Verify prescriptions for accuracy
- Check for drug interactions and allergies
- Counsel patients on medications
- Give vaccinations
- Advise prescribers on therapy
- Supervise pharmacy technicians
- Keep records and follow regulations
Tools you’ll use every day
- Pharmacy management systems
- Drug information databases
- Automated dispensing systems
- Sterile compounding hoods
- Vaccine supplies
- Prescription monitoring databases
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- High pay
- Respected expertise
- Help patients daily
- Many practice settings
What’s hard
- Long doctoral education
- Busy retail workloads
- Weekend and holiday shifts
- Insurance hassles
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I love chemistry and biology
- I’m extremely detail-oriented
- I enjoy helping patients
- I want a high-paying career
- I can handle a busy pace
- I’m willing to earn a doctorate
Not sure? Take the free Pharmacist fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Double-check high-alert medications
- Follow sterile compounding standards
- Secure controlled substances
- Follow sharps safety for vaccines