Pharmacist Resume Guide + Tips + Example
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Being a pharmacist is an incredibly rewarding and challenging career. Pharmacists are responsible for providing medication to patients, educating them on their medications and helping them make informed decisions about their health care. In addition to providing medications, pharmacists are also responsible for providing counseling and advice to patients on their medications and health concerns.
Move forward in your career with a professional pharmacist resume. Our pharmacist resume example and guide will help you through the entire process and show you how to write a resume for a pharmacist.
Start by editing this pharmacist resume template or explore our 40+ resume templates to find the best one for you.
Pharmacist resume example (text version)
Patrick Lambert
Buffalo, NY 14215
555-555-5555
example@example.com
Professional Summary
Motivated pharmacist knowledgeable about entering orders, obtaining authorizations and educating patients about the correct use and storage of medications. Skilled in collaborating with team members to expedite urgent requests while maintaining impeccable focus on safety, accuracy and confidentiality. Advanced communicator with all levels of staff, clients, management and healthcare administrators.
Work History
January 2019 – Current
Buffalo Pharmacies – Buffalo, NY
Lead Pharmacist
- Provide consultations and answer inquiries from 250 patients per week, healthcare professionals and physicians regarding drugs, potential side effects and specified use.
- Educate patients on possible drug interactions and optimal methods of administration, reducing risk by 95%.
- Monitor ordering of pharmacy medication stock to maintain streamlined inventory and low overhead.
February 2012 – December 2018
Walgreen’s Pharmacy – Buffalo, NY
Pharmacist
- Interpreted an average of 15 prescription orders per day, dispensed medications and educated an average of 60 patients on possible drug interactions, potential side effects and optimal methods of administration.
- Vaccinated patients to provide immunity against influenza, pneumonia and other diseases.
- Evaluated patient histories to assess medication compliance and spot issues such as doctor shopping or excessive usage.
June 2010 – January 2012
Woodmark Pharmacy – Buffalo, NY
Pharmacy Technician
- Assisted up to 40 patients per day in minimizing medical expenses by recommending generic alternative prescription medications.
- Helped pharmacist clear problematic prescriptions and address customer questions to keep the pharmacy efficient.
- Performed various pharmacy operational activities with a strong commitment to accuracy, efficiency and service quality.
Skills
- Managing products
- Medication dispensing and immunizing
- Pharmacy operations management
- Quality review processes
- Drug utilization review
- Medication dispensing
- Medicare and Medicaid process
- FDA Drug Safety Guidelines
Education
- School of Pharmacy And Pharmaceutical Sciences Buffalo, NY
Doctor of Pharmacy Pharmacy - The State University of NY Buffalo, NY
Bachelor of Science Chemistry
Licenses
New York Pharmacist license – (Updated 2024)
5 essentials of a pharmacist resume
Contact details
The contact details section must include your full name, city, state and zip code. Add your phone number and email address. If you have a profile with LinkedIn or another professional networking website, include it in this section.
Personal statement
A professional summary, also known as a personal statement, is a concise, three-to-five-sentence statement that tells the hiring manager who you are and what you offer. A pharmacist resume summary must include job-relevant skills and one or two notable accomplishments, and it should touch on how long you’ve been in the industry. If you are just starting out in your career, it’s better to write a pharmacist resume objective instead.
Here’s an example of a strong professional summary for a pharmacist resume:
“Highly experienced and motivated pharmacist with a passion for providing exceptional pharmaceutical care and patient education. Adept at staying up to date on the latest industry developments and regulations. Skilled in overseeing pharmacy operations, managing inventories and providing excellent customer service. Committed to upholding the highest standards of quality and accuracy in the preparation and delivery of medications.”
Skills
Create a skills section for your pharmacist resume so hiring managers can see if your skill set matches their needs. A pharmacist resume will have a separate section for your job-relevant skills in a bulleted list. As our sample resume for a pharmacist shows, skills for a pharmacist resume should include hard skills such as knowledge of pharmaceuticals and related substances and soft skills, like customer service.
Work history
A pharmacist resume must include a work history section, even if this is your first professional job. In reverse-chronological order, display your current and previous employers and provide company names, locations and the dates you worked for them. Include three bullet points of measurable achievements for every job you list.
Be specific about your achievements and use numbers to show how you made an impact.
- Successfully implemented a new electronic record-keeping system for tracking drug sales, resulting in a 20% increase in efficiency.
- Led a team of four pharmacists to successfully develop a medication management program that reduced prescription errors by 30%.
- Developed and implemented a new pharmacy ordering system that saved the company $20,000 in annual inventory costs.
Education
A resume for a pharmacist must include an education section. In reverse-chronological order, show the name of the schools and the years you graduated using bullet points. If you did not attend college, list your high school information and the classes or training you’ve taken since graduating. If you come from an apprenticeship, then list it here.
To become a pharmacist, you must obtain a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree from an accredited pharmacy program. This degree typically takes four years to complete and includes coursework in biology, chemistry, and biochemistry as well as pharmacology and medical ethics.
After completing the Pharm.D. program, you must pass two exams, the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Exam (MPJE) and the North American Pharmacist Licensure Exam (NAPLEX). In some states, you may also be required to pass additional exams. Additionally, some states require that pharmacists complete an internship or residency program before receiving their license.
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Action words for a stand-out pharmacist resume
A pharmacist resume needs action words to impact the recruiter. Their directness shows your confidence and strength as a candidate. Combine these action words with numbers for an unstoppable resume.
Here’s a short list of action words for a pharmacist resume:
- Administered
- Formulated
- Evaluated
- Detected
- Clarified
- Collected
- Analyzed
- Prepared
- Planned
- Projected
- Qualified
- Controlled
- Auditied
- Assessed
- Located
Creating an effective resume for pharmacist is quick and easy with the help of our Resume Builder. It has all the tools you need: you can edit, follow the step-by-step guidance, consider the expert suggestions and download the product once you’re satisfied with it.
Top skills for a pharmacist resume
A pharmacist needs skills that show their scientific aptitude, empathy and business acumen. Review the job description carefully and match the required skills to the skills and traits that fit you.
Your skills might include:
- Customer service
- Excellent communication
- Active listening skills
- Quality management
- Collaborative
- Multitasking
- Accuracy
- Medication dispensing
- Medication distribution systems
- Physical stamina
- Patient counseling
- Pharmacy management
Want more inspiration? We have 800+ resume examples to help you create the perfect pharmacist resume.
Certifications for a pharmacist resume
Pharmacists need to be licensed to practice. Pharmacists can also add specialized certifications to help their career advancement and practice in areas they know best.
The Board of Pharmacy Specialties currently recognizes 14 specialized areas. These are some of them:
- Board of Pharmacy Specialty Certification (BPS)
- BPS Nuclear Pharmacist Certification (BCNP)
- BPS Ambulatory Care Pharmacy ( BCACP)
- Geriatric Certification (CCGP)
- Pharmacotherapy Certification (BCPS)
Pair your resume with a matching cover letter
Pharmacist resume FAQ
1. How to improve your resume for a pharmacist job application?
To improve your pharmacist resume, start with a pharmacy sample resume. Ensure you have the right skills for the job by using the job description to tailor your resume to the position you want. Never underestimate an accomplishment in your career, if it’s quantifiable, add it to your work history.
Employers will look for well-rounded candidates, and if you can provide something extra, you’ll be standing out from the rest.
Some information you might add to your pharmacist resume might be:
- Knowledge of pharmaceutical calculations
- Experience in medication and prescription management
- Knowledge of federal and state laws related to pharmacy operations
- Ability to maintain accuracy and quality control in a fast-paced environment
- Proficiency in the use of pharmacy software and point-of-sale systems
- Excellent customer service and communication skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Ability to provide medication and health advice to customers
- Familiarity with pharmaceutical terminology and abbreviations
- Knowledge of drug interaction and contraindications
- Ability to manage inventory and order supplies as needed
Once you’ve included all this information, check the spelling and grammar, and you’re done!
2. How to write a pharmacist resume?
This guide will help you write an effective pharmacist resume. Use our pharmacist resume samples, follow our tips and include your accurate information in the primary sections:
- Contact information
- A professional summary,, such as “As someone who strives to make a positive impact in the lives of others, I feel that a career in pharmacy is the best way for me to make use of my knowledge and skills. With my dedication to learning and my commitment to helping those in need, I am confident that I possess the necessary qualities to become an outstanding pharmacist. Not only am I knowledgeable about the various medications and treatments available, but I also have excellent communication and interpersonal skills that allow me to build strong relationships with patients and colleagues alike.”
- Work history
- Skills, including knowledge of pharmacology and medicines, the ability to accurately calculate dosages, and strong communicaiton skills.
- Education
You can also include additional sections that can set you apart from the rest of the candidates.
For example:
- Professional memberships or associations, like
- American Pharmacists Association
- American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
- National Community Pharmacists Association
- Presentations
- Publications
- Certifications and licenses, such as
- State Pharmacy License
- Federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Number
- State Controlled Substance Registration
- National Provider Identifier (NPI) Number
- Volunteer experience
- Related hobbies and interests
Our Resume Builder can help you create an effective resume quickly and easily. Review our pharmacist resume templates, then choose a template, add your information and follow our step-by-step guide. You’ll receive expert, job-specific suggestions for your pharmacist resume.
3. What resume format should I use for my pharmacist resume?
The three basic resume formats are chronological, functional, and combination resumes.
The chronological resume format is best for experienced professionals who have a consistent and proven career trajectory. This format focuses on work experience and lists your professional history in reverse chronological order.
The functional resume format is best for individuals who have had multiple jobs and gaps in their work history or who are transitioning to a new field. This format emphasizes skills and achievements rather than work experience.
The combination resume format combines elements of both the chronological and functional resume formats. This format provides a comprehensive overview of your experience, skills, and qualifications.
For a pharmacist resume, the best resume format to use depends on your skills level and career goals. If you are writing a resume with no experience, we advise using the functional resume format since it highlights your skills over work experience. If you have a consistent job history and want to keep the same job title, then a chronological resume will suit you well. But if you have been a pharmacist for more than 10 years and/or if you are changing careers, conside the combination resume format.
Do’s and don’ts for building a pharmacist resume
- Use measurable achievements to describe your pharmacist skills and experience. For example, “Filled over 2000 prescriptions accurately and efficiently in 1 year”
- Use action words such as “prescribe,” “dispense” and “advise” to make an impact on your pharmacist resume.
- Tailor your resume to your target pharmacist job.
- Use keywords from the job description throughout your pharmacist resume.
- Format your pharmacist resume so that it is easy to read by ATS software and human eyes.
- Lie about your pharmacist experience and skills.
- Boast about your “incomparable” pharmacist abilities. Instead, highlight achievements like “Presented at 5 national pharmacy conferences in the last 4 years.”
- Include irrelevant personal information such as your ethnicity and age.
- Add skills and experience not pertaining to pharmacist work.
- Forget to proofread. A pharmacist resume with errors is unprofessional.
Top 4 tips for acing a pharmacist interview
Research the company or institution before your interview.
Take the time to learn about the pharmacy or company’s history, goals, values and people before the interview. Being able to show that you have in-depth knowledge about your potential employer shows real interest, dedication and commitment — traits that hiring managers look for in every job candidate they talk to. Plus, having a glimpse of the company culture before you arrive will give you an idea of what to expect on arrival so that you can feel confident.
Some things to consider:
- The pharmacy’s policies and procedures.
- The pharmacy’s patient population and medication mix.
- How the pharmacy handles drug interactions and allergies.
- Their drug storage and inventory management system.
- Their electronic health record (EHR) system.
Practice at home.
Prepare for any scenario by practicing an interview at home. Start by reviewing the most common interview questions, such as:
- What Do You See Yourself Doing in 10 Years?
- How Do You Determine Priorities?
- What is the Biggest Mistake You’ve Made?
Then consider pharmacy-specific questions, like
- What experience do you have working with third-party payers such as Medicare and Medicaid?
- Explain how you would handle a situation where the patient’s insurance does not cover a medication.
- Describe a time when you had to use your problem-solving skills to resolve a complex medication issue.
- How do you go about training new pharmacy staff?
Ask a friend or relative to perform a mock interview. Look online for possible interview questions, write down the answers and then practice with your interview partner. Once you’re done, ask them for feedback and work with them to improve. Being prepared will boost your confidence and chances of getting a callback.
Pro tip: if possible, practice in front of a mirror. Look at your facial expressions and body language, which hiring managers will notice.
Be proactive and ask questions.
At the end of your interview, you will be asked if you have any questions. As a rule of thumb, have three questions prepared. Hiring managers expect questions during or at the end of the interview. This shows your enthusiasm and interest in the role.
Here are a few examples of questions to get you started:
- How does the day-to-day look like?
- What are your expectations for this role?
- What are the biggest challenges the pharmacy faces?
- What attracted you to this company?
- What tools do you provide to excel at this position?
Gather your references.
Once you are ready to start sending your pharmacist resume, contact former managers and colleagues to be potential references. They should be able to vouch for you, your work ethic and your skills. Explain to them where you are in the process and let them know they could receive a phone call or email. Ask if they could prepare a letter of recommendation for you. This will depend on what the hiring manager requests.
If this is your first full-time job, you can request a reference from a mentor, former professor, community leader, volunteer coordinator or classmate that can vouch for your skills.
Cover letter examples for the next step in your pharmaceutical career
CV examples for the next step in your pharmaceutical career
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Since 2013, we have helped more than 15 million job seekers. We want to make your career journey accessible and manageable through our services and Career Center’s how-to guides and tips. In our commitment to bring you a transparent process, we present our Editorial Process.
Sources
- Board of Pharmacy Specialties
- Coursera. Article. What Does a Pharmacist Do? Job Duties, Salary, And More
- Phillpott, Sion. CareerAddict. 30 Essential Skills Needed to be a Pharmacist
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Pharmacists
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Pharmacist Resume Example
Kellie is a Certified Professional Resume Writer with 20+ years of experience in digital media and is passionate about helping job seekers navigate their careers. She earned a B.A. in English and writing from Temple University.