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If you’re a pharmacist with a knack for leadership, you may be interested in becoming a pharmacy manager. Pharmacy managers help supervise pharmacy operations and guide the success of a pharmacy—whether it be a retail pharmacy or a hospital pharmacy. An effective pharmacy manager is the backbone of the pharmacy, keeping the morale of the staff high and encouraging effective teamwork. Without a pharmacy manager, a pharmacy might fail to reach its goals and function properly.
Because of their top-level skills and professional background, pharmacy managers are often paid well. But it can be hard to find a clear-cut path to becoming a pharmacy manager. Continue reading to learn more about how to become a pharmacy manager and what pharmacy management entails.
Pharmacist manager responsibilities and skills
Pharmacy managers have several responsibilities. Much of their work involves delegating tasks to the pharmacy staff, fixing any problems or issues with customers and patients, and communicating with other pharmacy managers or healthcare providers. Other responsibilities of pharmacy managers include:
Ensuring the pharmacy complies with regulations
Pharmacy managers keep track of dispensing controlled medications as indicated by the DEA. They also make sure the pharmacy is abiding by HIPAA laws to protect patient privacy. Making sure your pharmacy follows all state and federal pharmacy laws falls under your purview.
Verifying prescription medications
The number one goal of any pharmacy is to protect the safety of all patients. Pharmacy managers will put systems in place to ensure patient safety, make sure patients receive the correct medication, and consult with physicians or healthcare providers if any safety concerns, such as side effects or drug interactions, arise.
Managing pharmacy staff members
Pharmacy managers ensure the pharmacy follows the right processes and protocols for filling and dispensing medications. Pharmacy managers also play an essential role in onboarding, training, and scheduling pharmacy staff, including pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
Reviewing the overall performance of the pharmacy
Pharmacy managers regularly review how the pharmacy is performing, both financially and operationally. Reviewing the pharmacy’s performance includes making sure the pharmacy is tracking metrics and managing inventory.
Pharmacy manager skills
The most successful pharmacy managers often have certain skills that help them do their job. Cultivating these skills may help prepare you for pharmacy manager jobs.
Leadership
Pharmacy managers have exceptional leadership skills. They help guide the pharmacy in the right direction, act as a role model for pharmacy team members, and resolve conflicts through the right solutions. They also know how to delegate tasks to the right team members.
Communication
Pharmacy managers are excellent communicators. They communicate with the pharmacy staff clearly and directly, explain medication information to patients according to the patient’s level of literacy, and consult with other healthcare providers as needed to promote the safety and well-being of the patient.
Customer service
Pharmacy managers help build trust with pharmacy patients through top-notch customer service skills. They calm upset patients, resolve disputes within the pharmacy, and help customers or patients with drug information as needed.
How to become a pharmacy manager
Ideally, pharmacy managers are pharmacists with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree (Pharm.D.). Becoming a pharmacy manager involves going to pharmacy school, passing pharmacy exams (NAPLEX and MPJE), and getting licensed as a pharmacist. However, some people become a pharmacy manager with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in the pharmacy field, and some pharmacy managers may have an R.Ph title. In the end, the requirements to become a pharmacy manager will depend on the pharmacy you apply to.
Those who want to become a pharmacy manager in retail pharmacy generally need to have some experience in a pharmacy. However, there are no specific training courses or certifications in retail pharmacy management.
Those who want to become pharmacy managers in a hospital or health-system environment may need to go through a residency program. More and more hospitals require pharmacists to go through a two-year residency program in health-system pharmacy administration and leadership. Through this two-year program, pharmacists will learn the ins and outs of a hospital or health-system pharmacy. They’ll learn how to manage and improve medication systems, maintain quality assurance protocols, manage pharmacy team members, and oversee the use of financial resources.
Pharmacy manager salary and outlook
In the United States, the pharmacy manager salary can vary. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), pharmacists earned a median pay of $128,570 per year in 2021. Salary aggregate sites show different data on the salary of pharmacy managers. For example, as of May 2022, Indeed shows the average pharmacy manager salary as $117,510, Payscale shows the average pharmacy manager salary as $131,526, and Glassdoor shows the average pharmacy manager salary as $142,062. Overall, however, the average salary for pharmacy managers may be higher or lower depending on the location and experience of the person.
In general, the job outlook for pharmacists is expected to decline by 2% from 2020 to 2030. However, pharmacist jobs are expected to open up as older pharmacists retire or leave the field. Although the landscape may be more competitive, pharmacy manager jobs should be available as time goes on. As core members of the pharmacy team, pharmacy managers provide substantial value to pharmacy staff, patients, and healthcare providers.
