Pediatric Clinical Pharmacists
Pediatric clinical pharmacists usually work in hospitals providing proper medications to young patients. They may work closely with doctors and hospital staff to ensure that the special needs of patients are met. It's also important that they work closely with parents and family and demonstrate strong communication skills. These professionals may spend many hours standing, and working in clinical settings means that these pharmacists may be scheduled nights, weekends and holidays.
Career Requirements
| Degree Level | Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) |
| Degree Field(s) | Pharmacy |
| Licensure | North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX) and Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE) |
| Experience | 1+ years pediatric experience |
| Key Skills | Listening, analytical skills, reading comprehension, instruction; medical database, analytical software, accounting software; chemistry, medicine, pharmacology; use of pharmacological tools such as measuring instruments and mortars and pestles. |
| Salary | $123,670 (Average annual wage as of May 2018 for all pharmacists) |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Job openings in October of 2012, ONet OnLine
Pediatric clinical pharmacists have doctor of pharmacy degrees and professional knowledge of chemistry, medicine, and pharmacology. They are expected to have strong analytical and reading comprehension skills along with the abilities to listen carefully and communicate instructions clearly. They must be able to use medical database, analytical, and accounting software as well as pharmacological tools such as measuring instruments and mortars and pestles.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for all pharmacists, which include pediatric clinical pharmacists, was $121,500 in 2015.
How to Be a Pediatric Pharmacist
How can I become a pediatric clinical pharmacist?
Step 1: Finish Two Years of Pre-Pharmacy Education
To qualify for entry to an accredited pharmacy program - a prerequisite for licensure and practice in the United States - a prospective pediatric clinical pharmacist must have taken at least two years of math, science, and social science classes at the postsecondary level. Although a bachelor's degree isn't required, prospective pharmacy students often have studied for at least three years at a college or university.
Step 2: Attain a Doctor of Pharmacy
While a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy used to be offered, only a Doctor of Pharmacy (or Pharm.D.) now qualifies as entry into the field. Pharm.D. programs usually last four years and include courses in pharmacology, pharmaceutics, and drug therapy. The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredits Pharm.D. programs, and they may be contacted for a list of accredited programs.
Step 3: Complete a Pediatric Residency Program
Clinical pediatric pharmacists are expected to undergo specialized training to address the needs of pediatric patients in hospital settings. Most employers require or prefer that prospective employees have completed a 1- or 2-year hospital residency program with an emphasis on pediatrics. In lieu of a residency program, an equivalent time in clinical practice experience in a pediatric facility is an option.
Step 4: Become Licensed
All pharmacists must be licensed or registered in order to practice. Licenses are awarded to those who have graduated from an accredited Pharm.D. program, have a certain amount of practice experience, and passed certain tests. While all states require the successful passing of the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX), most of the states require candidates to have passed the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE) as well. States that don't require the MPJE have their own pharmacy law tests. Some may also have their own testing requirements.
Step 5: Pursue Opportunities for Career Advancement
If pediatric clinical pharmacists want to pursue advancement within their field, they can become specialized in a particular field of study. For instance, a pharmacist can focus on cancer in the field of oncology by earning a certification from the Board of Pharmacy Specialties. Different fields may require advanced degrees surpassing those of a regular pharmacist, the completion of a certifying exam, and the payment of an additional fee.
Pediatric clinical pharmacists work in hospitals providing proper medications to young patients. They have doctor of pharmacy degrees and professional knowledge of chemistry, medicine, and pharmacology, and they earn an average annual salary of $123,670.
