To become a senior care pharmacist, one must first obtain a pharmacy license and complete internships in elderly care. The required coursework and training vary by country, with the US requiring a Pharm. D. degree. Admission to pharmacy programs is competitive, and internships should be used to gain specific skills. A comprehensive exam is also required. Additional advanced training may be sought, and programs exist for specialized education in elderly care.
To become a senior care pharmacist, a candidate must first obtain the necessary training and license to work as a pharmacist. This training is normally augmented with internships and supplemental work in the field of elderly care during the course of academic studies. In some cases, additional time may be spent on postgraduate training programs.
A senior care pharmacist is first and foremost a pharmacist and should be trained as such. The specific coursework and training required to become a senior care pharmacist varies from country to country. For many years, the standard training process required a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy, and this training program is still used in some countries.
The recent trend has been towards more advanced training for pharmacists. The United States now trains pharmacists as Physicians of Pharmacy (Pharm. D. or D. Pharm.). This training aims to create medication experts who consult with other physicians and provide informed opinions on medication use. This advanced degree is required for anyone wishing to become a senior care pharmacist in the United States.
Admission to pharmacy study programs is very competitive. A student hoping to become a senior care pharmacist will need to gain a strong college-level foundation in math and science. Consultation with admissions officers for a doctoral program in pharmacy can allow a student to plan their courses accordingly.
A standard pharmacy medical program includes internships, during which students work in specific clinical settings. A student who wants to become a senior care pharmacist should use these internships to gain the specific skills needed to work with seniors. Working in hospitals, nursing homes, or agencies that provide medical support to the elderly can provide this type of on-the-job experience.
Pharmacists in developed countries are generally required to undergo an examination upon completion of formal academic training. Specific exams vary from country to country, but anyone wanting to become a senior pharmacist should expect to take a comprehensive exam. These exams are intended to ensure that pharmacists have the necessary skills and knowledge to safely dispense medications for human use.
Pharmacists are in great demand in the workforce pool, and a qualified candidate may well find work in elderly care without additional training. In some cases, however, a candidate hoping to become a senior care pharmacist may seek additional advanced training. Programs exist to provide additional specialized education in various branches of pharmacy practice, including the medical care of the elderly.
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