Q:What's a typical workday like for you?

A:We answer questions for patients and doctors; fill prescriptions, and double-check dosing and indications for medications to make sure they're right for patients and are prescribed correctly. We also counsel patients about their medications to ensure they understand proper use.

Q:How does your role fit into the bigger healthcare picture?

A:We're the medication experts - we can really look at medications to make sure they're the right ones for the patients, so that it does not interfere with any other medical conditions or other medications. We're one of the most accessible healthcare professionals, so we answer a lot of questions for people. In the future, we'll be spending more one-on-one time with patients to evaluate medication therapy. This will be a great benefit to patients.

Q:Who do you interact with during the course of the day?

A:We interact with patients, nurses and doctors as well as the technicians I have working for me and other pharmacies.

Q:Why did you become a pharmacist?

A: I grew up working in my dad's pharmacy and really enjoyed the interaction with the public. People really respect the pharmacist's opinion. The hours can be flexible. It's a great profession for women because if you leave a position, you can come back into the profession at the same salary at which you left it. You can also work part-time and make a good living.

Q:What do you like about your work?

A:I really enjoy working with people and helping them. It's very rewarding work. There's a something different every day. You're always learning new things and helping people with different problems. Pharmacy is really changing right now. Pharmacists will be playing a bigger role in the healthcare process. Our responsibilities are becoming more clinical. It's exciting to be part of this new movement.