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Pharmacists, Dietitians and Nutritionists
What they do?
Community and hospital pharmacists prepare and dispense prescribed drugs/other medicines, advise on the use of drugs/medications, and maintain records of customers' medications.
Industrial pharmacists participate in the research, development, testing, and manufacture of pharmaceutical products. They also develop information material on the use/properties of particular drugs, and evaluate the labelling, packaging, and advertising of drug products.
Dietitians and nutritionists are health promotion specialists - advising and counseling individuals and populations on healthy eating at all stages of the life cycle and on chronic disease prevention and management. Dietitians plan and provide health education programs, provide counseling, conduct research, advise on healthy public policy and may plan and supervise food service operations in health care, schools and the hospitality industry.
What education do I need?
1. In general, you need a university degree.
2. To be a pharmacist, you must have a bachelor's degree in pharmacy and practical supervised training.
3. To work as a hospital or community pharmacist, you also need a licence from the province/territory where you'll work.
4. To be a dietitian or nutritionist, you need a bachelor's in dietetics and a one year practicum/internship in an accredited program or a Master's Degree, and registration with the dietetic regulatory body in the province/territory where you'll work. To work in policy, programs and research a Master's Degree in a related area is usually required.
5. Most recent entrants have an undergraduate university degree.
High School Subject that will help:
1. Math
2. English
3. Sciences
4. Health
What can you expect to make:
The average hourly wages for Pharmacists, Dietitians and Nutritionists is $30.17/HR, which is above average for occupations in the health sector and above average for all professional occupations. These wages grew at an average rate from 2002 to 2004.
Average Wage
Expected Wage by Age
Unemployment:
1% of Pharmacists, Dietitians and Nutritionists are unemployed. This rate is below the average for professionnal occupations.
Unemployment
Trends in Unemployment
Current Job Outlook:
The job outlook for Pharmacists, Dietitians and Nutritionists is considered Above Average because:
1. Employment grew at a below-average rate.
2. Hourly wages ($30.17) are above the average ($18.07), and the rate of wage growth is close to the average.
3. The unemployment rate (1%) is below the 2004 average (7%).
Future Job Prospects:
Your job outlook will continue to be Above Average because:
1. The employment growth rate will likely be above average because of a growing and aging population that requires more health care/prescription drugs and Canadians with insurance to cover more services.
2. Although the retirement rate will likely be average, the number of retiring workers should contribute to job openings.
3. The number of job seekers will likely match the number of job openings.
Highest Concetration:
The highest concentrations (per 10,000 people) of are found in Alberta and Prince Edward Island while the lowest concentrations are in New Brunswick and Newfoundland.
Unionization Rate:
The unionization rate (34%) is close to the average (32%) for all occupations.
Useful Experience:
1. Business and financial management
2. Committee work
Part Time Workers
Part time workers:
22% of Pharmacists, Dietitians and Nutritionists are employed only on a part-time basis. There were 30,600 workers employed in these occupations in 2004, an increase of 12% since 1997.
Age Demographics
Age Demographics:
The relatively low percentage of younger workers suggests few entry-level job openings, and could point to a greater need for workers with experience or a number of years of training. The retirement rate to 2009 will likely be average reflecting the age/retirement structure of the occupation.
