Hospital Pharmacist

Description and Responsibilities

Hospital pharmacists provide pharmaceutical care based on the needs of patients and according to rules of the profession, and this at the best possible cost. Their support in terms of education and information about medicines is essential in ensuring the effectiveness and safety of the care given to patients.

Pharmacists are healthcare professionals whose practice is governed by federal and provincial health laws and regulations, as well as by a code of ethics. Increasingly complex drug treatments and the increased role of drugs in the treatment of diseases make hospital pharmacists indispensable to patients and healthcare professionals. 

Education and Training Requirements

To practice, pharmacists must be members of the Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec (OPQ).

• Université Laval offers an entry-level Doctor of Pharmacy program (doctorat de premier cycle en pharmacie  – in French only) and a graduate program that leads to a Master’s Degree in Advanced Pharmacotherapy (maîtrise en pharmacothérapie avancée  – in French only)
• The Faculté de pharmacie de l’Université de Montréal offers an entry-level Doctor of Pharmacy program (doctorat de premier cycle en phramacie  – in French only) and a graduate program that leads to a Master’s Degree in Advanced Pharmacotherapy (maîtrise en phramacothérapie avancée  – in French only)

To practice in a healthcare institution, a graduate degree from one of these universities is usually required. The Master’s Program in Advanced Pharmacotherapy allows students to develop and improve the theoretical and practical knowledge required to practice as a pharmacist in a healthcare institution.

Scholarships in advanced pharmacotherapy are offered to graduate students under the scholarship program of the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux. For more information, see Bourses en pharmacothérapie avancée page (in French only).

Required Interests, Skills and Personality Type

• Must be a good communicator and listener
• Must be responsible and organized
• Must enjoy working in a team with colleagues and other professionals
• Must have good summarizing and analytical skills
• Must know how to observe and analyze situations and people
• Must love contact with the public

Personality Type (RIASEC)

IES

• I - Prefers studying, understanding and solving problems
• E - Prefers supervising, making decisions and managing, influencing and persuading others
• S - Prefers to be in contact with people and to help them

Work Environment

Pharmacists in the health and social services network work in: 

• Hospitals (in French only)
• Residential and long-term care centres (CHSLDs) (in French only)
• Local community services centres (CLSCs) more rarely (in French only)

They can also work in related settings such as community or local pharmacies, which are independent or affiliated with chain stores. Note that Québec is the only place in North America where ownership of a pharmacy is exclusive to pharmacists.

Useful Links

• Association des conseils des médecins, dentistes et pharmaciens du Québec (ACMDPQ)  (in French only)
• Association des pharmaciens des établissements de santé du Québec  (in French only)
• Devenir pharmacien d'établissement - Association des pharmaciens des établissements de santé du Québec   (in French only)
• Ordre des pharmaciens du Québec  (in French only)
• Pharmacists – Emploi-Québec