How to Be Ambulatory Care Pharmacist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions
Being an ambulatory care pharmacist can have many positive impacts on a person's career. Not only does it provide the opportunity to help those in need of medication, but it also offers a variety of professional opportunities. Ambulatory care pharmacists have the ability to work with a wide range of patients, from young children to the elderly.
They can work in different settings such as hospitals, private clinics, and retail pharmacies. ambulatory care pharmacists are also able to specialize in certain areas such as geriatrics or oncology. With this specialization, they gain a deeper understanding of the medications and its effects on specific patient populations.
This knowledge helps them to provide the best possible advice and care for their patients. Furthermore, working as an ambulatory care pharmacist can give pharmacists the opportunity to advance their career by becoming a clinical pharmacist or a consultant.
Steps How to Become
- Obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Pharmacy. To become an ambulatory care pharmacist, you must first obtain a bachelor's degree in pharmacy. This is an intensive four-year program that covers the fundamentals of pharmacology, chemistry, anatomy, and physiology.
- Pass the National Pharmacy Exam. Upon graduation, you must take and pass the National Pharmacy Exam. This exam tests your knowledge of the fundamentals of pharmacy practice and is required for licensure in all fifty states.
- Obtain a State License. After passing the National Pharmacy Exam, you must obtain a state license from the Board of Pharmacy in the state in which you plan to practice. This process usually involves submitting an application, providing proof of education and exam scores, and paying any applicable fees.
- Complete a Residency Program. Residency programs are not required to become an ambulatory care pharmacist, but they provide valuable experience in a clinical setting. Most residency programs last one or two years and involve rotations through various areas of pharmacy practice, including ambulatory care.
- Obtain Certification. Certification is not required to practice as an ambulatory care pharmacist, but it can be beneficial in terms of job opportunities and salary. The Board of Pharmacy Specialties offers certification in Ambulatory Care Pharmacy, which requires passing an exam and maintaining continuing education credits.
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Job Description
- Provide comprehensive medication review and medication reconciliation services to ensure patient safety.
- Develop and implement medication-related protocols, policies and procedures.
- Dispense medications to patients and monitor effectiveness of drug therapy.
- Provide patient education and counseling on the use of prescription and non-prescription medications.
- Monitor for drug interactions, adverse reactions and contraindications.
- Collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure safe and effective medication management.
- Participate in formulary management activities, including the evaluation and selection of drugs for use in the ambulatory care setting.
- Stay abreast of current developments in pharmacy practice and medication use.
- Participate in quality improvement initiatives to enhance patient outcomes and improve the efficiency of clinical services.
- Maintain accurate records of patient profiles, drug histories, drug interactions, therapeutic outcomes and other pertinent information.
Skills and Competencies to Have
- Knowledge of different types of medications and their uses
- Ability to accurately interpret and assess medication orders
- Ability to provide medication counseling to patients
- Understanding of medical terminology
- Knowledge of pharmacological principles and drug interactions
- Ability to utilize medication therapy management strategies
- Ability to consult with physicians and other healthcare providers
- Ability to effectively communicate with patients
- Ability to accurately dispense medications
- Understanding of applicable laws and regulations related to pharmacy practice
As an ambulatory care pharmacist, having excellent communication skills is of utmost importance. Being able to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, and other healthcare professionals is essential in order to provide the best possible care. having strong problem-solving skills will help the pharmacist navigate complex patient cases and medical conditions.
Good organizational skills are also necessary to ensure that prescriptions are filled correctly and in a timely manner, while being able to multitask efficiently will help the pharmacist keep up with the demands of their job. Finally, good knowledge of both pharmaceuticals and medical terminology is necessary to accurately assess and recommend treatments for patients. All of these skills are essential for an ambulatory care pharmacist to provide the best possible care for their patients.
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Frequent Interview Questions
- What experience do you have in ambulatory care?
- How do you handle difficult patients?
- Describe a typical day working as an ambulatory care pharmacist.
- What strategies do you use to stay organized and on schedule?
- How do you stay current on new medications and treatments?
- What experience do you have working with electronic medical records?
- Describe a time when you had to work with a challenging physician.
- What challenges have you faced while working as an ambulatory care pharmacist?
- How have you developed relationships with your patients?
- What do you consider to be the most important role of an ambulatory care pharmacist?
Common Tools in Industry
- Electronic Medical Records (EMR) Software. This software is used to store, manage and track patient health information. (Eg: Epic)
- Automated Dispensing Systems. This system automates the preparation, distribution, and control of medications. (Eg: Pyxis MedStation System)
- Pharmacy Management System. This system helps pharmacists manage drug inventory, patient files, and other operational tasks. (Eg: Kroll Pharmacy Management System)
- Medication Therapy Management Software. This software helps pharmacists monitor and manage medication regimens for patients. (Eg: Medi-Span MTMS)
- Clinical Decision Support System. This system helps pharmacists quickly access and analyze patient health information to make informed decisions. (Eg: UpToDate)
- Drug Information Resources. These resources provide pharmacists with up-to-date drug information to ensure safe and effective medication use. (Eg: Lexicomp)
Professional Organizations to Know
- American Pharmacists Association (APhA)
- American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
- National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)
- American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP)
- Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP)
- American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)
- National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP)
- American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP)
- International Society of Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research (ISPOR)
- Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)
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Common Important Terms
- Medication Therapy Management (MTM). A comprehensive service provided by pharmacists to help patients optimize the use of medication and improve their health outcomes.
- Patient Education. The process of teaching patients about their medications, health conditions, and other related topics.
- Pharmacy Practice. The application of professional knowledge and skills in the practice of pharmacy.
- Pharmacoeconomics. The study of the cost-effectiveness of medications and pharmacological therapies.
- Clinical Pharmacy. The practice of pharmacy that focuses on the therapeutic use of medications to optimize patient outcomes.
- Drug Information. The collection and dissemination of information about drugs and their use, including drug interactions and adverse reactions.
- Pharmacokinetics. The study of how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated by the body.
- Pharmacogenetics. The study of how genes affect an individuals response to drugs.
- Drug Interactions. The interaction between two or more medications that can produce an unexpected effect.
- Pharmacovigilance. The science and activities related to the detection, assessment, understanding, and prevention of adverse effects or any other drug-related problems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Ambulatory Care Pharmacist?
An Ambulatory Care Pharmacist is a licensed healthcare professional who specializes in providing medication-related services within an ambulatory care setting.
What duties do Ambulatory Care Pharmacists typically perform?
Ambulatory Care Pharmacists typically provide medication therapy management services, medication reconciliation, medication education and counseling, and disease state management.
What types of patients do Ambulatory Care Pharmacists work with?
Ambulatory Care Pharmacists work with a variety of patients including those with chronic conditions, acute conditions, and complex drug regimens.
What qualifications are needed to become an Ambulatory Care Pharmacist?
To become an Ambulatory Care Pharmacist, one must have a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and be licensed to practice in their state. Additional certifications such as the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties Certified Ambulatory Care Pharmacist (BCACP) may be required in some states.
What are the benefits of having an Ambulatory Care Pharmacist on staff?
Having an Ambulatory Care Pharmacist on staff can help improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, improve medication adherence and safety, and optimize the use of medications.
What are jobs related with Ambulatory Care Pharmacist?
- Clinical Pharmacist
- Consultant Pharmacist
- Staff Pharmacist
- Managed Care Pharmacist
- Compounding Pharmacist
- Oncology Pharmacist
- Research Pharmacist
- Long-Term Care Pharmacist
- Outpatient Pharmacist
Web Resources
- Ambulatory Care Pharmacy | Become an Ambulatory Care www.pcom.edu
- Ambulatory Care | Pharmacy Services | University of Utah Health pharmacyservices.utah.edu
- Ambulatory Care Pharmacy (PGY2) | Duke Department of pharmacy.duke.edu
