From USC - -
http://www.usc.edu/schools/pharmacy/pharmd/careers/
Community Pharmacy
In many respects, community pharmacists represent the first line of health care. In addition to dispensing medications and monitoring for adverse effects and interacting drugs, pharmacists provide important counseling services such as the proper selection of over-the-counter medications and/or referral to other health care providers when warranted. Today's pharmacist also needs to be versed in alternative medicines. USC graduates have owned independent pharmacies, as well as advanced to management positions within retail chain pharmacy organizations.
Geriatric Pharmacy
By the year 2020, close to 37 percent of the U.S. population will be mature adults who will likely consume more than half of all health care resources. Because of the advances in geriatrics being made at USC, the School's Pharm.D. graduates are leaders in geriatric pharmacy. Careers in this field will serve the needs of this growing population segment.
Governmental Agencies
Local, state and federal governmental agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, the Veterans Administration and the Armed Forces require the expertise of skilled pharmacists. Many USC graduates work in hospitals and clinics in these agencies.
Home Health Care
Patients formerly treated in a hospital setting are now receiving professional care in their residences through home health care. Pharm.D. graduates who work in this field of pharmacy provide medications, such as intravenous antibiotics, pain management medication, nutritional supplements and chemotherapy. Pharmacists also monitor the patients' progress and adjust therapy.
Hospital Pharmacy
Many of the School's graduates pursue careers in hospital pharmacy where they are directly involved in patient care. Pharmacists in hospitals monitor and adjust patient medications and work closely with physicians, nurses and other health professionals to determine the most appropriate drug therapy possible for their patients. Clinical pharmacists may specialize in a variety of areas of pharmacy practice including pediatrics, critical care, cardiology, surgery, psychopharmacy, neurology, infectious disease and drug information. USC graduates bring to the hospital setting a strong clinical education background, and the ability and confidence required for direct involvement with patients and other members of the health care team.
Managed Care
Broadly stated, managed care is planned, comprehensive and integrated provision of health care in a cost-effective manner which emphasizes preventive care. Pharmacists play a major role in optimizing drug therapy. Development of drug formularies, evaluation of therapeutic protocols, patient consultation regarding therapy, and avoidance of doctor visits and hospitalization are all responsibilities of pharmacists who practice in the managed care environment.
Pharmaceutical Industry
Modern drug therapy is highly sophisticated, and the pharmaceutical industry recognizes the need for technical proficiency among its sales and marketing personnel. Additionally, the area of research and development provides numerous opportunities for pharmaceutical scientists, including drug isolation and synthesis to formulation, packaging and quality control of the finished dosage form. Because of their expertise in drug therapy and their knowledge of the health care delivery system, USC graduates are actively recruited by many of the major pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Pharmacoeconomics
Society?s demand for graduates with specialized knowledge in pharmacoeconomics is steadily increasing. The supply of such scholars is less than current demand, providing numerous opportunities for graduates of the Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy program. Graduates can choose academic positions at university schools of pharmacy, public administration, public health or medicine. A strong demand for specialists also comes from government agencies, insurance plans, managed health care organizations, professional health care associations, hospital administration departments, health care consulting organizations, pharmaceutical companies and international organizations.
Pharmacy Education
The USC Doctor of Pharmacy curriculum offers a strong foundation in the clinical sciences. As the first school to develop a clinical pharmacy curriculum and pharmacoeconomic program, USC provides graduates with training that is sought by other pharmacy schools developing pharmaceutical care programs. Nearly half of the pharmacy schools in the country have recruited USC graduates to join their faculties, to teach clinical pharmacy and to conduct research on optimization of drug therapies and the costs of health care.
Specialized Area Opportunities
Pharmacists with expertise in specialized areas such as consulting, legal practice, drug information, poison control and pharmacy affairs are becoming more in demand as the profession changes.
