HealthcareISCO 2262
Pharmacist
Pharmacists prepare, dispense, and provide prescriptions for, over the counter medication. They offer clinical information on medicines, report suspected adverse reactions, and provide personalised support to patients. Pharmacists formulate and test medications in laboratories, and store, preserve, and distribute them.
Check yourself in a minute: pharmacist
Rate 5 of the 59 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
check information on prescriptions
provide medicines information
handle the logistics of medicinal products
counsel healthcare users on medicines
empathise with the healthcare user
Do You Have the Skills for This Role?
Core competency requirements inferred from the occupation's skill profile. Take the free assessment to see how you match.
Must-Have Skills (Advanced)
Sense MakingAdvanced
Supporting Skills
Customer OrientationIntermediate
CommunicationIntermediate
Self ManagementIntermediate
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (59)
hygiene in a health care settinghygiene in a health care settingThe procedures related to maintaining a hygienic environment within a health care setting such as hospitals and clinics. It can range from hand washing to cleaning and disinfection of medical equipmen...microbiology-bacteriologymicrobiology-bacteriologyMicrobiology-Bacteriology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.analytical chemistryanalytical chemistryInstruments and methods used to separate, identify and quantify matter-the chemical components of natural and artificial materials and solutions.biological chemistrybiological chemistryBiological chemistry is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.botanybotanyThe taxonomy or classification of plant life, phylogeny and evolution, anatomy and morphology, and physiology.pharmacy lawpharmacy lawThe legal and other requirements associated with the pursuit of pharmacy activities.organic chemistryorganic chemistryThe chemistry of compounds and substances containing carbon.applied therapeutics related to medicinesapplied therapeutics related to medicinesUse of drugs and the method of their administration in the treatment of disease.pharmacologypharmacologyPharmacology is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.physicsphysicsThe natural science involving the study of matter, motion, energy, force and related notions.pharmaceutical technologypharmaceutical technologyPharmaceutical technology is the branch of pharmaceutics which deals with the technological design, development, manufacture, and evaluation of drugs and medicinal products.pharmacognosypharmacognosyThe physical, chemical, biochemical and biological properties of medicines which have natural sources as an origin.human anatomyhuman anatomyThe dynamic relationship of human structure and function and the muscosceletal, cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, endocrine, urinary, reproductive, integumentary and nervous systems; normal and ...pharmaceutical chemistrypharmaceutical chemistryThe chemical aspects of identification and synthetic alteration of chemical entities as they relate to therapeutic use. The way various chemicals affect biological systems and how they can be integrat...toxicologytoxicologyThe negative effects of chemicals on living organisms, their dose and exposure.inorganic chemistryinorganic chemistryThe chemistry of substances that do not contain hydrocarbon radicals.sales strategiessales strategiesThe principles concerning customer behaviour and target markets with the aim of promotion and sales of a product or a service.pharmacotherapypharmacotherapyThe application of medicinal drugs used to treat diseases compared to surgical therapy.check information on prescriptionscheck information on prescriptionsVerify the information on prescriptions from patients or from the doctor`s office ensuring that it is complete and accurate.provide medicines informationprovide medicines informationProvide accurate, quality and safe information and advice to patients, the public and other healthcare professionals regarding medicines, advising them on the safe and rational use of medicines and de...handle the logistics of medicinal productshandle the logistics of medicinal productsStore, preserve and distribute medicinal products at the wholesale stage.communicate with customerscommunicate with customersRespond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.counsel healthcare users on medicinescounsel healthcare users on medicinesDiscuss and agree with healthcare users on the appropriate use of medicines, providing the healthcare user with sufficient information to assure the safe and proper use of the medicine.empathise with the healthcare userempathise with the healthcare userUnderstand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence...obtain healthcare user's medical status informationobtain healthcare user's medical status informationGather healthcare user information through various sources such as questioning the healthcare user, caregiver, or healthcare professional to obtain information on the patient`s health and social statu...dispense medicinesdispense medicinesReview and dispense medicines and validate prescriptions ensuring that they are authentic, correctly interpreted and in line with legal requirements, selecting the correct medicine, strength and pharm...manage healthcare users' datamanage healthcare users' dataKeep accurate client records which also satisfy legal and professional standards and ethical obligations in order to facilitate client management, ensuring that all clients' data (including verbal, wr...ensure the appropriate supply in pharmacyensure the appropriate supply in pharmacyGuarantee the correct distribution of the pharamacy products.deal with emergency care situationsdeal with emergency care situationsAssess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, security, property or environment.maintain adequate medication storage conditionsmaintain adequate medication storage conditionsMaintain proper storage and security conditions for medication. Comply with standards and regulations.provide health educationprovide health educationProvide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.test medicinal productstest medicinal productsTest medicinal products and their effects and interactions in a laboratory.provide pharmaceutical adviceprovide pharmaceutical adviceProvide information and advice on medicinal products such as the appropriate use, the adverse reactions and the interactions with other medications.communicate in healthcarecommunicate in healthcareCommunicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.manage medical supply chainsmanage medical supply chainsEnsure that medicines are stored in appropriate facilities and environmental conditions to ensure stability, quality and safety of the medicinal product over its shelf life, storing medicines in a saf...process medical insurance claimsprocess medical insurance claimsContact the patient`s health insurance company and submit the appropriate forms with information on the patient and treatment.advise on healthcare users' informed consentadvise on healthcare users' informed consentEnsure patients/clients are fully informed about the risks and benefits of proposed treatments so they can give informed consent, engaging patients/clients in the process of their care and treatment.manufacture medicinesmanufacture medicinesFormulate and compound medicines performing pharmaceutical calculations, selecting the appropriate route of administration and dosage form for the medicine, the appropriate ingredients and excipients ...evaluate scientific data concerning medicinesevaluate scientific data concerning medicinesEvaluate scientific data concerning medicines in order to be able to provide appropriate information to patients on that basis.ensure pharmacovigilanceensure pharmacovigilanceReport on the adverse reactions of pharmaceutical products to the competent authorities.comply with quality standards related to healthcare practicecomply with quality standards related to healthcare practiceApply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associati...comply with legislation related to health carecomply with legislation related to health careComply with the regional and national health legislation which regulates relations between suppliers, payers, vendors of the healthcare industry and patients, and the delivery of healthcare services.listen activelylisten activelyGive attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of cus...manage personal professional developmentmanage personal professional developmentTake responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional developmen...prepare medication from prescriptionprepare medication from prescriptionPrepare the pharmaceutical form of medicinal products according to the prescription received from the medical doctor.prepare doses of medication according to patient needsprepare doses of medication according to patient needsEnsure the patient receives the appropriate dose and form of medication.participate in medical inventory controlparticipate in medical inventory controlMonitor the condition of a medical inventory. Ensure the materials are stored safely. Re-order supplies when needed.maintain pharmacy recordsmaintain pharmacy recordsMaintain the required pharmacy records such as files, charge system files, inventories, control records for radioactive nuclei, and registries of narcotics, poisons, and controlled drugs.interact with healthcare usersinteract with healthcare usersCommunicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.perform project managementperform project managementManage and plan various resources, such as human resources, budget, deadline, results, and quality necessary for a specific project, and monitor the project's progress in order to achieve a specific g...ensure safety of healthcare usersensure safety of healthcare usersMake sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing condit...apply organisational techniquesapply organisational techniquesEmploy a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the set goals set such as detailed planning of personnel's schedules. Use these resources efficiently and s...manage medication safety issuesmanage medication safety issuesTake action to prevent, minimise, resolve and follow-up medicines related problems, maintaining and contributing to a reporting system of pharmacovigilance.supervise pharmaceutical staffsupervise pharmaceutical staffOversee the work and mentoring of pharmacy technicians, students, interns and residents.refer healthcare usersrefer healthcare usersMake referrals to other professionals, based on the healthcare user's requirements and needs, especially when recognising that additional healthcare diagnostics or interventions are required.work in multidisciplinary health teamswork in multidisciplinary health teamsParticipate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.perform therapeutic drug monitoringperform therapeutic drug monitoringSelect the appropriate laboratory tests for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring and interpret tests to determine whether a drug is producing its desired therapeutic effect in order to use the analysis in mini...accept own accountabilityaccept own accountabilityAccept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.monitor patients' medicationmonitor patients' medicationMonitor medicines use and patient adherence to ensure positive clinical outcomes are achieved and patient needs are met.
Optional (21) — show
nutritionnutritionThe science that investigates the various substances and nutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, tannins, anthocyanins, vitamins, and minerals) and their interaction in food products.phytotherapyphytotherapyThe characteristics, the effects and the use of herbal medicines.medical statisticsmedical statisticsThe methods used to summarise, collect, present, and interpret data in medical practice. The use of the obtained data to estimate and test hypotheses in the medical field.accounting techniquesaccounting techniquesThe techniques of recording and summarising business and financial transactions and analysing, verifying, and reporting the results.pedagogypedagogyThe discipline that concerns the theory and practice of education including the various instructional methods for educating individuals or groups.homeopathyhomeopathyThe alternative medicine whereby pills or liquid mixtures containing only a little of an active ingredient (usually a plant or mineral) can treat a disease.radiopharmaceuticalsradiopharmaceuticalsThe medication containing radioisotopes, used for treating cancer.medical devicesmedical devicesEquipment and devices used in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of medical issues. Medical devices cover a wide range of products, ranging from syringes and protheses to MRI machinery and heari...operate cash registeroperate cash registerRegister and handle cash transactions by using point of sale register.provide anti-cancer medical treatmentprovide anti-cancer medical treatmentDetermine the cancer treatment appropriate for the patient, considering chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and targeted therapy such as immunotherapy.use e-health and mobile health technologiesuse e-health and mobile health technologiesUse mobile health technologies and e-health (online applications and services) in order to enhance the provided healthcare.improve safety of medicinesimprove safety of medicinesImprove the efficacy and safety of medication by promoting evidence-based medicine, development of guidelines and care protocols.recruit employeesrecruit employeesHire new employees by scoping the job role, advertising, performing interviews and selecting staff in line with company policy and legislation.teach in academic or vocational contextsteach in academic or vocational contextsInstruct students in the theory and practice of academic or vocational subjects, transferring the content of own and others' research activities.advise on poisoning incidentsadvise on poisoning incidentsAdvise patients or other medical staff on how to handle overdose and poisoning intake in the most efficient manner.conduct health related researchconduct health related researchConduct research in health related topics and communicate findings orally, through public presentations or by writing reports and other publications.apply blended learningapply blended learningBe familiar with blended learning tools by combining traditional face-to-face and online learning, using digital tools, online technologies, and e-learning methods.manage adverse reactions to drugsmanage adverse reactions to drugsAnalyse and manage adverse reactions to drugs such as general and local anaesthetics and antibiotics, describing the principles of drug challenge and desensitisation to the allergic patient and provid...use foreign languages for health-related researchuse foreign languages for health-related researchUse foreign languages for conducting and collaborating in health-related research.use foreign languages in patient careuse foreign languages in patient careCommunicate in foreign languages with healthcare users, their carers, or services providers. Use foreign languages to faciliate patient care according to the needs of the patient.maintain medical devicesmaintain medical devicesEnsure all medical devices and appliances are properly stored and taken care of so they maintain their functionality and appearance.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
specialist pharmacist28 shared essential skillspharmacy assistant22 shared essential skillshospital pharmacist21 shared essential skillspharmacy technician21 shared essential skillsdietitian18 shared essential skillsnurse responsible for general care18 shared essential skillsphysiotherapist18 shared essential skillsaudiologist17 shared essential skills
Frequently asked questions
What does a pharmacist do?
Pharmacists prepare, dispense, and provide prescriptions for, over the counter medication. They offer clinical information on medicines, report suspected adverse reactions, and provide personalised support to patients. Pharmacists formulate and test medications in laboratories, and store, preserve, and distribute them.
What skills does a pharmacist need?
A pharmacist needs 59 essential skills, including hygiene in a health care setting, microbiology-bacteriology, analytical chemistry, biological chemistry, botany.
Will AI replace pharmacist jobs?
The AI disruption score for pharmacist is 66/100 (high risk). Skills most exposed to automation: operate cash register, manage healthcare users' data, maintain pharmacy records. Most resilient: empathise with the healthcare user, deal with emergency care situations, human anatomy.
AI Replacement Risk
66/ 100
High Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Skills most at risk from AI
Skills resilient to automation
This is the average for the whole occupation. The AI Career Shield test (about 10 minutes) shows the risk in your own work and what you can do about it.
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