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Pharmacy internship vs float pharmacist

The differences between pharmacy interns and float pharmacists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a float pharmacist has an average salary of $118,744, 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 float pharmacist are patients, customer service, and patient care.

Pharmacy internship vs float pharmacist overview

Pharmacy InternshipFloat Pharmacist
Yearly salary$80,116$118,744
Hourly rate$38.52$57.09
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs89,19751,231
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
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 float pharmacist do?

The primary role of a Float Pharmacist is to assist customers with their health care needs through filling prescriptions and providing excellent customer service. They supervise the work completed by pharmacy technicians and support staff.

Pharmacy internship vs float pharmacist salary

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

Pharmacy InternshipFloat Pharmacist
Average salary$80,116$118,744
Salary rangeBetween $45,000 And $139,000Between $92,000 And $152,000
Highest paying CitySan Diego, CASacramento, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaOregon
Best paying companySafewayH-E-B
Best paying industryHealth CareRetail

Differences between pharmacy internship and float pharmacist education

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

Pharmacy InternshipFloat Pharmacist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorPharmacyPharmacy
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborUniversity of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Pharmacy internship vs float pharmacist demographics

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

Pharmacy InternshipFloat Pharmacist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 40.6% Female, 59.4%Male, 43.3% Female, 56.7%
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, 20.1% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between pharmacy internship and float 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

Float pharmacist example responsibilities.

  • Manage many aspects of daily operations of pharmacy department with emerging focus on oncology.
  • Dose and manage all Vancomycin and Aminoglycoside antibiotics throughout the entire hospital including overseeing, evaluating, and ordering antibiotic labs.
  • Facilitate the training of staff from Eckerd to CVS
  • Provide pharmacist coverage to CVS stores locate around Wisconsin.
  • Check each prescription drug order for appropriateness of therapy, drug interactions, and medication allergies prior to dispensing.
  • Check prescriptions for appropriate dosage, drug interactions, allergies and contra-indications before dispensing medications.
  • Show more

Pharmacy internship vs float pharmacist skills

Common pharmacy internship skills
  • Patients, 22%
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • Blood Pressure, 7%
  • Allergies, 5%
  • Math, 5%
Common float pharmacist skills
  • Patients, 30%
  • Customer Service, 22%
  • Patient Care, 22%
  • Immunization, 8%
  • Inventory Management, 8%
  • Disease State Management, 1%

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