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Pharmacy internship vs clinical pharmacist

The differences between pharmacy interns and clinical pharmacists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a clinical pharmacist has an average salary of $94,705, which is higher than the $80,116 average annual salary of a pharmacy internship.

The top three skills for a pharmacy internship include patients, customer service and patient care. The most important skills for a clinical pharmacist are patients, patient care, and pharmd.

Pharmacy internship vs clinical pharmacist overview

Pharmacy InternshipClinical Pharmacist
Yearly salary$80,116$94,705
Hourly rate$38.52$45.53
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs89,197101,564
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Doctoral Degree, 45%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

What does a pharmacy internship do?

When it comes to a pharmacy internship, one of the primary responsibilities is to observe pharmacy operations and develop efficient communication skills as most of the tasks will revolve around customer service, such as providing instructions on when to take medications and what could be the side effects. Moreover, working as a pharmacist requires excellent attention to detail, ensuring that all customers receive the correct type and amount according to their prescriptions. Among the duties can also revolve around administrative tasks such as verifying prescriptions, keeping and maintaining accurate records, and responding to inquiries.

What does a clinical pharmacist do?

A clinical pharmacist is responsible for offering high-quality health care services for the patients, especially on administering effective medications by evaluating the patient's health condition and checking medical history. Clinical pharmacists assist other medical professionals in developing treatment plans and pharmacy programs, educating the patients on appropriate medicine dosages, medicine intake instructions, and other activities that would help patients achieve their healthy lifestyle and wellness. They must have excellent knowledge of the medical industry, including appropriate treatments and procedures, to provide the best treatment options for the patients' needs and patiently respond to their inquiries and concerns.

Pharmacy internship vs clinical pharmacist salary

Pharmacy interns and clinical pharmacists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Pharmacy InternshipClinical Pharmacist
Average salary$80,116$94,705
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $139,000Between $58,000 And $152,000
Highest paying CitySan Diego, CALos Angeles, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companySafewayEast Tennessee Children's Hospital
Best paying industryHealth CareHealth Care

Differences between pharmacy internship and clinical pharmacist education

There are a few differences between a pharmacy internship and a clinical pharmacist in terms of educational background:

Pharmacy InternshipClinical Pharmacist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Doctoral Degree, 45%
Most common majorPharmacyPharmacy
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborUniversity of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Pharmacy internship vs clinical pharmacist demographics

Here are the differences between pharmacy interns' and clinical pharmacists' demographics:

Pharmacy InternshipClinical Pharmacist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 40.6% Female, 59.4%Male, 39.0% Female, 61.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 6.6% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 5.4% Asian, 27.1% White, 56.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 5.8% Asian, 21.4% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between pharmacy internship and clinical pharmacist duties and responsibilities

Pharmacy internship example responsibilities.

  • Attain thorough knowledge of processes involving medication delivery, compounding, IV/TPN/ chemotherapy preparation, and other hospital pharmacy operations.
  • Counsele patient with regard to OTC medications and Rx medications under the supervision of the pharmacist (s) on duty.
  • Interview patients to obtain information regarding drug allergies and sensitivities and document the information in the pharmacy system.
  • Collaborate with referring physicians in providing diabetes education to patients with multiple chronic conditions individually and in group sessions.
  • Provide diabetes counseling and conduct informational lectures regarding blood glucose monitoring and insulin administration to patients recently diagnose with diabetes.
  • Offer and provide consultation to patients under the supervision of the RPh on duty
  • Show more

Clinical pharmacist example responsibilities.

  • Train, manage and instruct pharmacy technicians, interns, and PharmD candidates on clinical rotations.
  • Dose and manage all Vancomycin and Aminoglycoside antibiotics throughout the entire hospital including overseeing, evaluating, and ordering antibiotic labs.
  • Receive and verify drug orders from physicians using computerize physician order entry system, including cancer chemotherapy orders.
  • Implement updated pediatric chemotherapy-induce nausea and vomiting (CINV) guidelines and policy for use in all pediatric patients receiving chemotherapy.
  • Provide clinical assistance to the RPh staff in addition to case processing.
  • Maintain sterile product manufacturing processes to comply with federal, state and local regulations and JCAHO standards.
  • Show more

Pharmacy internship vs clinical pharmacist skills

Common pharmacy internship skills
  • Patients, 22%
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • Blood Pressure, 7%
  • Allergies, 5%
  • Math, 5%
Common clinical pharmacist skills
  • Patients, 20%
  • Patient Care, 11%
  • PharmD, 7%
  • Medication Orders, 5%
  • Pharmaceutical Care, 4%
  • Drug Therapy, 4%

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