Traditional and Non-Traditional Career Pathways in Pharmacy��

Did you know that pharmacists and their teams helped prevent over one million deaths, eight million hospitalizations, and saved $450 billion in health care costs during the COVID-19 pandemic? Pharmacists play a critical role in health care, and their work spans more than 100 career pathways, from traditional roles in community and hospital settings to non-traditional fields like public health, industry and nuclear pharmacy. However, increasing demand for health services and a growing shortage of pharmacists underscore the need for more professionals in the field. If you’re interested in pursuing pharmacy, follow this guide to explore the career pathways available to you. 

Traditional Pharmacy Careers 

Traditional pharmacy careers encompass more conventional roles in the profession, with many pharmacists on the front lines, serving patients and communities through patient interaction, consultation and medication dispensing. Some of those careers include: 

Community Pharmacist

Community pharmacists are the most accessible health care providers that provide patient care, medication management and wellness services in local pharmacy settings. They dispense prescriptions, ensure medication safety, counsel patients on proper medication use and offer immunizations like flu shots. In addition to preventing adverse drug interactions, they provide guidance on over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements. They also collaborate with health care providers, communicate with insurance companies and contribute to public health efforts like combating opioid abuse. Community pharmacists work in various settings, from independent pharmacies to large retail chains, serving as accessible resources within their communities. 

Hospital Pharmacist

Hospital pharmacists play a critical role in patient care by collaborating with health care teams, dispensing and determining medication regimens, and monitoring therapy to ensure optimal treatment. They specialize in areas like critical care, pediatrics or oncology, and participate in patient rounds, consulting with doctors and providing expertise on medication decisions.

Clinical Pharmacist

Clinical pharmacists manage medication therapy and provide patient counseling in outpatient clinics, physician offices and integrated health care systems, such as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Mayo Clinic. Clinical pharmacists are often involved in acute care settings or specialized treatment areas, providing focused, short-term interventions to support immediate patient needs and offering expert guidance on complex medication regimens.

Compounding Pharmacist

Compounding pharmacists prepare customized medications for patients when commercially available drugs do not meet their needs. This could involve altering dosages, changing forms (like from a tablet to a liquid) or excluding ingredients to which a patient may be allergic. Most work in laboratories due to the need to work in a highly sterile and safe environment and they are the only health care providers that serve both humans and animals.

Ambulatory Care Pharmacist

Ambulatory care pharmacists are becoming essential as more health care moves to outpatient settings. These pharmacists manage chronic conditions, collaborate with health care teams and focus on preventative care and medication management in clinics and outpatient centers. They develop long-term relationships with patients, monitoring progress over time and adjusting medications as needed. Their role emphasizes ongoing care and patient education to help prevent hospitalizations and improve overall health outcomes.

Sitting on the porch of an 18-year-old hospice patient at 11:30 p.m., after delivering his medication in person and helping his flustered mom understand how to administer it, reminded me why I do this work—providing care, love and service to my community when they need it most.

Catherine Gilmore

Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice

As a professional student, I aspire to work in community pharmacy, specializing in HIV/AIDS and substance use disorders. I’ve found that patients in these communities are deeply appreciative of the health care they receive, which was often unavailable 20-30 years ago. It’s incredibly rewarding to contribute to improving their health and helping them lead healthier lives.

Elizabeth McElhannon

Professional Student

My niece’s diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes solidified my passion for ambulatory care. I’ve always wanted to work closely with patients, providing personalized care and counseling. In my role, I can adjust medications and help those with uncontrolled diabetes. I also provide assistance to patients on how to use an insulin pen and monitor their blood sugar, helping them understand diabetes and manage it safely. This hands-on, patient-centered work is why I love what I do.

Sara Lingow, Pharm.D. ’16

Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice

Non-Traditional Pharmacy Careers 

As the field of pharmacy continues to evolve, pharmacists are finding opportunities beyond the traditional roles of patient care, medication management and community health leadership. While these traditional roles remain vital, non-traditional pharmacy careers are emerging, highlighting the versatility of a pharmacy degree. Pharmacists now have the ability to explore diverse and innovative paths, leveraging their expertise in new ways. Here are several examples of non-traditional pharmacy careers: 

Industry Pharmacist

Industry pharmacists work in diverse roles, including drug development, clinical trials, safety management, sales and marketing. They may develop new drugs, manage drug safety reports or promote medications to consumers. Typically, they collaborate with experts like biochemists and engineers in labs or business settings. While they don’t work directly with patients, because of their pharmacy backgrounds, they can act as consultants and advocate for medications that benefit the consumer.

Veterinary Pharmacist

Veterinary pharmacists customize medications to meet the unique needs of animals, whether treating common conditions like cancer, diabetes and heart disease or addressing species-specific concerns. They develop tailored medication regimens, adjust dosages and compound medications, often altering strength or flavor to make treatments easier for animals to consume. Veterinary pharmacists work with a range of animals, from household pets to larger species like horses, and may collaborate with veterinarians in settings such as veterinary hospitals, zoos and regulatory agencies like the Federal Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine.

Nuclear Pharmacist

Nuclear pharmacists prepare and manage radioactive drugs used to diagnose and treat diseases like cancer. They ensure quality control, proper dosing and work with health care providers rather than directly with patients. Nuclear pharmacists typically work in hospitals, imaging centers or specialized pharmacies handling radiopharmaceuticals—drugs containing radioactive material used for diagnosing or treating diseases. These medications are often used in imaging scans or targeted therapies, such as cancer treatment.

Informatics Pharmacist

Pharmacy informatics is a specialized career that combines pharmacy practice with information technology to optimize medication management and improve patient care. Pharmacists in this field analyze health data, manage digital workflows and collaborate with health care teams to reduce medication errors, streamline processes and support evidence-based treatment decisions. This role is essential in modern health care, driving innovations in how medications are prescribed, administered and monitored. 

Public Health Pharmacists

Pharmacists focused on public health have become more prominent in the wake of public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. They work in government agencies, non-profits and community outreach, helping to improve health outcomes through medication safety, education and policy development. While pursuing your Pharm.D., consider integrating a Master of Public Health into your program to gain more opportunities in this field. 

My pharmacy education equipped me to transition into pharmaceutical sales, where I serve as a liaison between pharmaceutical companies and managed care entities. This role allows me to use my background to impact health care on a larger scale, helping ensure that the right medications are available to patients through insurance and pharmacy benefit management.

Tim Murphy, B.S. ’82, M.S. ’94

The thing I like about combining my public health degree with pharmacy is it helps students think beyond the patient in front of them and consider the larger systems that impact health outcomes. It broadens their perspective on medication access, health equity and public health interventions, like vaccinations and substance abuse. It’s about seeing both the individual and the population, which is critical for making meaningful, sustainable changes in health care.

Stephanie Lukas, Pharm.D., MPH

Associate Professor of Pharmacy Administration

The Future Demand for Pharmacists 

The current shortage of pharmacists, driven by increasing health care needs and an aging population, is expected to grow in the coming years, creating even more opportunities across various sectors and new career pathways in pharmacy. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 13,400 job openings for pharmacists are projected each year, with many roles critical to patient care and public health. In today’s pharmacy landscape, whether you pursue a traditional role or a non-traditional path, the demand for pharmacists remains strong. Your skills will be in high demand, ensuring a rewarding and impactful role in the future of health care. 

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