“Per diem” is Latin, meaning “per day;” a per diem pharmacist has identical duties and responsibilities to those of a normal pharmacist, but the terms of their employment differ. As a per diem pharmacist, you fill and refill prescriptions for medications, provide important information and education to each patient, and carefully track and monitor controlled substances. As a per diem employee, you are contracted on a daily basis, frequently picking up irregular shifts. While this arrangement can provide flexibility, it can also be limiting, as your ability to plan for other work is severely curtailed. Additionally, per diem employees are not provided with health care or similar benefits afforded to full-time employees.