Pharmacists Wanted !!!

By

Alice Chen, Pharm.D.

Pharmacy Manager

Kaiser Permanente

August 6, 2005

License Required

Pharmacy Intern

Pharmacist

www.pharmacy.ca.gov(916) 445-5014

Career Opportunities

Pharmacists are true partners working closely with physicians and nurses to provide health care for patients

Also called Hospital Pharmacists and Community Pharmacists.

Inpatient PharmacistsOutpatient Pharmacists

Job Functions

Dispensing, checking technician’s work, advising physicians, nurse practitioners, consulting patients regarding drug interactions, allergies, adverse reactions and correct ways to take and store medications.

Consultation Is A Must

Statistic has shown a high percentage of patients need to understand their medications, especially the side effects in order for them to be compliant.

Ambulatory Care Pharmacists

Patients are referred to these services by physicians, nurse practitioners and pharmacists follow strict protocols to monitor patients, write prescriptions and ensure improved disease states.Residency is generally required

Various Ambulatory Services

Anticoagulation ManagementCholesterol ManagementRenal Management (Chronic Kidney Diseases)Oncology ServicesHome Health Pharmacy ServicesImpact Pharmacy Services (Drug Conversion Program)

Various Ambulatory Care Pharmacists (continued)

Neonatal ICUHypertension ManagementIntegrated Coronary Vascular Disease (CVD)HIV / IDNew Member Program (assist new MD in prescribing NF to formulary drugs)Heart Failure Management\Asthma Management

Computer Related Careers

Pharmacy InformaticsPharmacy Analytical Services for Drug Use ManagementDrug information

Other Areas of Practices

Automation – Central Refill PharmacyPharmaceutical distributions/purchasingPharmacy Call CenterConsulting Pharmacist for Long Term CareAdministration positionsManagers, Quality and Operations, Strategy& Operations, Drug Education Coordinator

Advantages and Disadvantages

AdvantagesFlexible work scheduleRelative easy locations transferPlenty of room to growHigh job satisfactionHigh starting compensationDisadvantagesPhysically demandingLiability is becoming higherCompensation increases slowly

Prospect for the Future Pharmacist

Very BrightWith many new technologies, such as Healthconnect, future pharmacists will become even more indispensable partners to other health care professionals.

Pharmacists, you ARE the Bomb !!!

When Not at Work

Watch out ! Here comes the golf machine.

Pharmacist Needed !!!

ByLily Kung Cheung, PharmDPharmacy SupervisorHospital of the University of

PennsylvaniaAugust 6, 2005

License Requirements

PharmD degreeInternship RequirementsNAPLEX Exam www.nabp.net

847-391-4406State Law ExamForeign Pharmacy Graduates

Inpatient Pharmacistby Setting

Community vs. Teaching HospitalIV RoomCentralized DecentralizedSatelliteEmergency Department

Inpatient Pharmacistby Job Function

Dispensing PharmacistClinical Pharmacy SpecialistInformation System PharmacistPharmacist with Management Positions

Dispensing Pharmacist

Dispensing is a component of job functionAnonyms: Staff Pharmacist, Clinical Pharmacist, Decentralized Pharmacist, etc.Requirement: PharmD degree and licensure, with or without one-year pharmacy practice residency

Dispensing Pharmacist

Dispensing is a component of job functionAnonyms: Staff Pharmacist, Clinical Pharmacist, Decentralized Pharmacist, etc.Requirement: PharmD degree and licensure, with or without one-year pharmacy practice residency

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist

Usually requires residency in a specialty area, in addition to a pharmacy practice residencyJob functions depend on the specialty and the institutionUsually has teaching and/or research responsibilitiesRepresent pharmacy for medication use meeting/committee in specialty areas

Specialty Areas

Infectious Disease (ABX Management)Drug InformationOncologyCritical CareNutrition SupportADE/DUETransplant

Specialty Areas (Cont’d)

CardiologyNephrologyPharmacokineticsGeneral MedicineAnti-Coagulation ManagementInvestigational Drugs NeonatologyPharmacoeconomics

Teaching Opportunities

Precept pharmacy residentsPrecept pharmacy clerkship studentsMentor dispensing pharmacistsProvide inservice to pharmacists, nurses, physicians, etc. Teach didactic courses at pharmacy school

Information System Pharmacist

Maintain/Customize pharmacy computer system for patient care or programsSupport hospital computer systemsDevelop software for specific pharmacy programsHelp resolve computer-related issues in pharmacy department

Pharmacist with Management Positions

Director of Pharmacy

Managers/Supervisors:

Daily pharmacy operation maintenance and improvement

Human resource managementPolicies/guidelines implementationStaff development program developmentPurchasing/Inventory controlRepresenting pharmacy department in meeting/committees

Inter-disciplinary Committee

Clinical Effectiveness and Quality Improvement Committee Pharmacy and Therapeutics CommitteeDrug Use and Effects CommitteePharmacy and Nursing CommitteeMedication Safety CommitteeAntimicrobial Use Committee

Ideal Job for Pharmacists?

Learning and growth opportunitiesSalary and benefitsWorking hours vs. life styleReasonable workloadCulture of the working place

Ideal Pharmacist Candidate?

CompetentMotivated/EnthusiasticTeamwork spiritGood communication skillsResponsibleProblem solverDedicated

QUESTIONS?