Highest-Paying Certifications for Pharmacists in the USA

Last Updated on August 8, 2023 by Diya

Hi readers! In this post, I’ve compiled a list of the best certification programs for pharmacists in the USA. Here, readers will find the following details – a list of top pharmacist certifications, certifying organizations/bodies, level/type of certification, and more.

Why choose a certification program, some of you may ask? Earning a certification from well-established organizations can work wonders for your career. Here are the main benefits of earning an advanced certification –

• Opportunity to acquire advanced skills/knowledge.
• Specialize in a specific branch of pharmaceutical science.
• Get a better job/get a promotion at work.
• Get certified by industry leaders (organizations).
• And more…

Come, let us check out the list of certifications now. Here it is –

List of highest-paying certifications for pharmacists in the USA for 2023

Certifications for Pharmacists

Pharmacy Technician Certifications

Pharmacy Aides Certifications

What is a certification and how to earn it?

A certification is an award, which indicates that the candidate (who has earned the certification) possesses relevant skills and knowledge concerning a particular domain/sector/industry/technology. In the case of pharmacy certifications, the skill set or knowledge revolves around pharmaceutical science and its allied sectors.   Certifications are usually offered by relevant certifying organizations. In order to earn it, a candidate must undergo sufficient preparation, acquire a relevant set of skills and knowledge, and pass the relevant examination/test (conducted by the certifying organization). The certifying organization may or may not provide certification preparation training.

Types of certifications

Based on the target audience, certifications can be broadly classified into the following types –

• Core.
• Advanced.
• Specialty.

Advanced certification programs are aimed at individuals who are already knowledgeable about the domain (for example – pharmacists). They may use the advanced certification program to acquire an advanced set of skills and knowledge. On the other hand, one may pursue a specialty certification program to specialize in a specific branch of the pharmaceutical sector.

Only pharmacy graduates will benefit from this post, some of you may say. No, even pharmacy technicians and pharmacy aides will benefit from this post. This post has been crafted keeping their needs in mind as well.   Pharmacist certification programs span disciplines and domains such as –

• Pharmacotherapy specialist: Pharmacotherapy deals with therapy using pharmaceutical drugs. A pharmacotherapist is responsible for direct patient care. He/she is responsible for assessing the patient’s condition and administering and prescribing medicines. A pharmacist may don this role after fulfilling eligibility requirements and passing the certification examination.
• Nuclear Pharmacist: This branch is also known as radio-pharmacy. It deals with the use and preparation of radioactive materials for patient administration, which will be used for diagnostic and treatment purposes.
• Nutrition Support Pharmacists: They form an integral part of a nutritional support team. This branch deals with topics such as – assessing the nutrition status of a patient, the effect of various diseases and conditions on the nutrition status of a patient, the effects of treatment techniques on the nutrition status of a patient, nutrition support, etc.
• Infectious Disease Pharmacists: This branch deals with infectious diseases, relevant drugs, and treatment techniques. ID Pharmacists are knowledgeable about areas such as – common infectious diseases, symptoms, antibacterial drugs, antiviral drugs, anti-fungal drugs, anti-parasitic drugs, etc.
• Critical Care Pharmacist: Patients facing critical illness or medical conditions need special care. Critical Care Pharmacy deals with the effective use of medications for critically ill patients. A critical care pharmacist is trained in areas such as – assessing patients, analyzing clinical data, directing patient care, pharmacologic interventions, etc.
• Geriatric Pharmacy: This branch deals with providing pharmaceutical care to the elderly. A geriatric pharmacist is trained in areas such as – monitoring patients, assessing clinical data, administering medicines, looking after the wellness of the patient, directing patient care, etc.
• Pharmacist Technician: A pharmacist technician works under the supervision/direction of a qualified pharmacist. They are trained in areas such as – supplying medicines, managing the dispensary, patient care, etc.

Popular certifying organizations

Here are some of the popular certifying organizations –

• Board of Pharmacy Specialties.
• National Association of Boards of Pharmacy.
• Specialty Pharmacy Certification Board.
• American Society for Quality.
• National Pharmacy Technician Association.
• American Phlebotomy Association.
• National Healthcareer Association.
• Pharmacy Technician Certification Board.

Vishnu Nambiar

I am Vishnu Nambiar a career and educational blogger from India. I am also a full time educational consultant having more than 12 years of experience in the educational sector.

I share articles related to courses, colleges, careers, exam tips and more here.