Careers in Pharmacy

Typical Schedule for Pharmacy Positions

Community Pharmacy
Regular schedules include working evenings, weekends, and some holidays, in most settings. Pharmacist alternate with others for time off. The place of the pharmacy may restrict breaks or extend the hours worked. Owners and managers work longer hours to complete administrative responsibilities.

Hospital Pharmacy
Regular schedules include working evenings, weekends, and holidays. Work shifts typically have scheduled breaks. Pharmacies are often open for 24 hours, requiring overnight shifts.

Consultant Pharmacy
Regular schedules do not include evenings, weekends, or holidays. Pharmacists may be on call 24 hours a day for emergency services. Pharmacists in community practice may perform consultant work before and after their regular community hours.

Pharmaceutical Industry
Sales and pharmacy affairs representatives set their own schedules, which may include working evenings to conduct educational programs or complete paperwork. Both positions may require extensive travel, within relatively local territory for the sales representative and broad territory for

Academia
The regular schedule is very flexible and does not include evenings, weekends, or holidays. Schedules are typically established by each individual. Higher-level positions may require evening meetings and some travel.

Alternative Careers
Regular schedules do not include evenings, weekends, or holidays, but association management requires many evening and weekend meetings. These positions may call for extensive travel.