Marla Ahlgrimm | The People In Your Pharmacy

When you pick up your prescription, you might not always have time to say hello to your pharmacist. Chances are, says Marla Ahlgrimm, that you’ll at least speak to a pharmacy tech before you head home with your medications. Keep reading for a quick dose of insight on what, exactly, a pharmacy tech does, and why they are an important part of your medical team.

Q: What is a pharmacy tech?

Marla Ahlgrimm: A pharmacy technician is an individual that assists a pharmacist in many ways. They might work to dispense medications, receive controlled and non-controlled substances, and, in some cases, manually fill prescriptions. A pharmacy assistant might also take inventory of refrigerated and non-refrigerated items, medical supplies, and nutritional supplements.

Marla Ahlgrimm: Types of Pharmacists

If you have ever wanted a career in pharmaceuticals, you are in luck, says Marla Ahlgrimm. The author, entrepreneur, and retired pharmacist says there are many opportunities to work in medicine, no stethoscope required. But more than just counsel at your local pharmacy, pharmacists today have options.

Clinical pharmacist

According to Marla Ahlgrimm, a clinical pharmacist often works in a hospital setting. They walk side-by-side with their patients’ physicians to come up with the most effective treatment option. They determine which drugs have the most acceptable side effects and what medications won’t have negative interactions with one another. A clinical pharmacist typically has a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and completes a full two-year residency.