Given that the majority of pharmacy school curricula still almost exclusively focus on principles of human pharmacotherapy, this can be difficult. Pharmacists must take the initiative to learn the fundamentals of veterinary pharmacotherapy if they want to fulfill their social responsibility. Success depends on having a reputable education program that is written by an experienced veterinary pharmacist and has been peer-reviewed by professionals in veterinary pharmacology and practice.
This educational activity aims to familiarize pharmacists with significant physiological and anatomical characteristics of non-human patients that have an impact on drug therapy. Pharmacists need this knowledge in order to: (1) competently monitor and care for animal patients in need of pharmaceutical treatment; and (2) provide logical advice to veterinarians looking to use novel human medications on animals.
Important skills for veterinary pharmacists
As a veterinary pharmacist, developing your skills could help you perform better and earn more money. These are some important skills for veterinary pharmacists:
Organization
The capacity for organization is the ability to efficiently manage your resources, time, and effort. This is crucial for veterinary pharmacists as it enables them to properly manage orders and fill prescriptions. They can manage medication inventory and order new medications for their patients and clients by using their organizational skills. Since many different types of medications can look the same in the pharmacy setting, it’s crucial that pharmacists have organizational skills to make sure they label and store them properly.
Attention to detail
Attention to detail is crucial because veterinary pharmacists distribute and measure crucial medications for farm animals and pets. They can make sure that each patient receives the proper medications and dosages by using this skill. The ability to use attention to detail to ensure that no client takes competing medications is another crucial aspect. In order to follow safety procedures in the lab and produce safe and efficient treatment options, a veterinary pharmacist who develops and produces medicines may pay close attention to detail.
Adaptability
When a veterinary pharmacist is adaptable, they can respond to changing circumstances and make necessary adjustments. This can involve maintaining composure when confronted with a problem, applying critical thinking to find a solution, and swiftly and effectively putting that solution into practice. For instance, if a veterinary pharmacist learns that a client received the incorrect medication, they maintain composure while speaking with the client or veterinarian to let them know about the error and preparing a new medication to counteract its effects.
What does a veterinary pharmacist do?
A veterinary pharmacist is a specialist in the production, administration, and distribution of medications for animals. Some of the duties a veterinary pharmacist may handle include the following:
How to become a veterinary pharmacist
Depending on your career objectives and access to education, the steps you take to become a veterinary pharmacist may differ. You can take the following typical steps to become a veterinary pharmacist:
1. Determine if its the right career for you
Choosing whether becoming a veterinary pharmacist is the right career for you is the first step in the process. As a veterinary pharmacist, you may stand up and move around a lot of the time, depending on where you work and your area of expertise. Being a successful veterinary pharmacist requires having a solid understanding of chemistry, being at ease with math and calculations, and having excellent attention to detail. Others may be preferred by those who desire a career that allows for greater creative expression. Veterinary pharmacy may be the career for you if you enjoy both science and animals.
2. Pursue a related undergraduate degree
Once you’ve decided that studying veterinary pharmacy is for you, you can finish high school or get your GED before starting college. A bachelor’s degree in a subject like health science, pharmacy, chemistry, or animal science is required to become a veterinary pharmacist. You might take classes in domestic animal reproduction, basic chemistry, physiology, animal nutrition, animal behavior, and management during these programs.
3. Complete an advanced pharmacy program
You can enroll in a post-graduate pharmaceutical program after receiving your undergraduate degree in a relevant field. Veterinary science and pharmaceuticals may already be covered in the program you choose, or you may need to look for these courses on your own. By concentrating on animal science-related courses and certificates while in school, you can pursue a veterinary science specialization.
4. Become a certified pharmacist with the SVHP
Although becoming a veterinary pharmacist may not strictly require obtaining certification from the Society of Veterinary Hospital Pharmacists (SVHP), it can be beneficial. Your credentials and resume can both be improved by obtaining an SVHP certification. The SVHP is an organization with the mission of improving educational resources, funding workshops and educational gatherings, encouraging publications, advancing veterinary pharmacy, fostering research, and setting up committees to make recommendations.
Depending on your position in the veterinary pharmacy, you can apply for different levels of certification. For instance, if you are a licensed pharmacist who practices for at least 20 hours per week and you offer community teaching or research services, you can apply to become a fellow. If you work more than 20 hours per week in one of those positions, you can apply as a technician or veterinary nurse. If you are a registered pharmacist or veterinarian, you can apply as a student member.
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5. Apply for open veterinary pharmacist jobs
An online job board can help you locate local openings for veterinary pharmacists. Create a unique cover letter for each job that highlights your veterinary expertise and enthusiasm for the business or organization. You can get ready for an interview with a veterinary pharmacist by practicing responses with friends and family. Sit up straight during interviews and work on maintaining appropriate eye contact.
Salary and job outlook for veterinary pharmacists
There are numerous positions in the field to consider if you are interested in animal science but do not want to work as a veterinary pharmacist. You can work in some positions that are comparable to those of a veterinary pharmacist. Please click on the links below to view the most recent Indeed salaries:
A veterinary technician’s main responsibilities include giving domestic animals and pets routine checkups and examinations. They frequently schedule appointments with clients and their pets while working in a veterinary clinic. Additionally, the technician can help the veterinarian with trickier procedures. Additionally, technicians may manage appointment schedules, clean the work area, and sterilize equipment.
The main responsibilities of kennel managers include overseeing daily operations within facilities that house and care for animals, performing maintenance, cleaning the spaces, directing kennel staff, and getting animals ready to go home or find owners. They coordinate staff and volunteers to care for the animals and make sure all animals behave properly. Kennel managers are also in charge of creating and enforcing the kennel’s procedures and policies.
A zookeeper’s main responsibilities are to keep an eye on the wellbeing and living conditions of the animals under their care. Zookeepers are knowledgeable about animal behavior and know how to conserve species through various methods. They might create routines and care strategies for ill animals that require rehabilitation. Additionally, zoo keepers can educate visitors about animal behavior and natural habitats, conduct research using the animals under their care, and give basic medical care. A zookeeper might focus on taking care of mammals, reptiles, birds, insects, and other species.
Pet groomers’ main responsibilities include trimming animals’ hair, cleaning their ears and feet, brushing their teeth, and performing other hygienic procedures. They frequently work with pets like dogs and cats, but they can also be experts at grooming reptiles, birds, and other kinds of domesticated animals. In order to keep their clients’ pets clean and healthy, pet groomers keep regular appointments with their clients and are knowledgeable about the best types of soaps and treatments to use for issues like sensitive skin and dandruff.
A wildlife biologist’s main responsibilities include studying animals in their natural habitats and ecosystems. The biologist studies how different species interact with other animals and the environment to ascertain whether they have the resources they need to survive. They can work with building firms to ensure that new developments don’t harm wildlife, and they can work with the government to assist with developing regulations that protect local species and habitats. Wildlife biologists can publish their research in scientific journals as articles for other experts to read.
Veterinary surgeons go through advanced training to learn more about the physiology and anatomy of animals. They can perform surgery on canine and feline patients to treat physical conditions and remove growths. Pre-operative exams, ordering imaging tests like X-rays, supervising post-operative care, giving advice to technicians and other veterinarians, and performing surgery on animals to improve their health are all things that a veterinary surgeon may do.
Profiles in Pharmacy #5 – The Unique Field of Veterinary Pharmacy
FAQ
How do I become a veterinary pharmacologist?
A Bachelor’s degree is the first step on the educational path to becoming a Veterinary Clinical Pharmacologist, followed by a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. To become board certified, additional education is needed, including a three-year residency program and passing a specialty certification exam.
Do pharmacists make more than veterinarians?
According to the BLS, pharmacists held more than triple the number of veterinary jobs, with a total of 281,560 employed in 2012. The national average salary for pharmacists was $114,950 in 2012. Health and personal care stores, the main industry for pharmacists, paid an average salary of $116,980.
How do I become a vet pharmacist UK?
If you have a degree in animal science, you’ll need to complete a postgraduate master’s program. However, technically, a licensed pharmacist can start working right away because of their General Pharmaceutical Council accreditation.
How can I become a veterinary pharmacist in India?
Courses in veterinary pharmacy are offered at the diploma, postgraduate, undergraduate, and graduate levels. There are only diploma programs in veterinary pharmacy offered in India, but veterinary science is required for bachelor’s degree programs.
