How to Be Clinical Pharmacist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Oct 23, 2020 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Clinical pharmacists play a critical role in healthcare by ensuring that patients receive the best possible medication therapy. By assessing a patients individual needs and medical history, they are able to identify potential drug-related problems and provide guidance to physicians and other healthcare professionals on the selection, dosing, therapeutic monitoring, and adverse effects of medications. As a result, clinical pharmacists help reduce drug-related errors, improve patient outcomes, and increase the overall effectiveness of healthcare services. Furthermore, clinical pharmacists have a profound impact on healthcare costs by reducing medication costs through their knowledge of drug therapies and ability to negotiate prices with suppliers.

Steps How to Become

Get a bachelors degree in pharmacy. A bachelors degree in pharmacy from an accredited college or university is the first step to becoming a clinical pharmacist. After completing the basic courses and passing the board exam, a graduate becomes a licensed pharmacist.
Get a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D) degree. A Pharm. D degree is typically the next step in becoming a clinical pharmacist. This program typically takes four years to complete and includes courses such as pharmacology, pharmacotherapy, and clinical pharmacy.
Obtain certification. Clinical pharmacists can choose to become certified in their specialty area. This certification requires passing an examination and demonstrating competency in the area.
Pursue a residency program. A clinical pharmacy residency program is a one- or two-year program that allows pharmacists to gain hands-on experience in clinical settings. During the program, pharmacists receive mentorship and training from experienced clinical pharmacists.
Become licensed. Clinical pharmacists must be licensed in the state where they practice. This typically involves passing a licensure exam and completing continuing education courses to maintain the license.
Get experience. Clinical pharmacists should look for opportunities to gain experience in a variety of clinical settings. This could include working as a consultant pharmacist, in a hospital setting, or in a long-term care facility.
Stay informed. Clinical pharmacists should stay up to date on the latest developments in the field and attend conferences and seminars to stay informed of changes in the profession.

The importance of staying updated and qualified as a Clinical Pharmacist cannot be overstated. Keeping up with the latest advancements in the field is essential for providing quality care to patients. With the ever-changing landscape of healthcare and the introduction of new medications and treatments, staying up-to-date on clinical and pharmaceutical knowledge is crucial.

Furthermore, continuing education and re-certification can help Clinical Pharmacists maintain an active license and provide better patient care. Participating in professional organizations, attending conferences, and reading industry publications are all effective ways to stay current with the latest developments in the field. staying involved in research and continuing to build upon ones skillset can help maintain a high level of competency and ensure that Clinical Pharmacists remain current with the latest developments in the field.

You may want to check Long-Term Care Pharmacist, Nuclear Pharmacist, and Clinical Research Pharmacist for alternative.

Job Description

Develop individualized medication plans for patients, based on physician orders and patient health histories.
Monitor patient drug therapies and adjust dosages as needed.
Provide drug information to physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
Perform therapeutic interchange of medications to ensure cost-effective outcomes.
Compound and dispense medications and provide clinical services to patients.
Educate patients and their families on the proper use of prescribed medications.
Review medication orders for accuracy and cost effectiveness.
Evaluate laboratory values and recommend drug therapy modifications as needed.
Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss patient drug regimens.
Maintain accurate records of patient drug therapy plans and document all interventions.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of the principles and practice of pharmacy
Knowledge of the legal and ethical requirements related to the practice of pharmacy
Knowledge of the actions and uses of drugs, their effects, and interactions with other medications
Ability to recognize and respond to drug related problems
Ability to consult with healthcare professionals regarding drug therapies
Ability to educate patients on medication use, risks, and side effects
Ability to accurately interpret physician orders and evaluate drug therapies
Ability to accurately prepare and dispense medications
Ability to monitor and evaluate drug therapy outcomes
Ability to perform accurate inventory control and management
Ability to use computer systems for medication order entry, documentation, and reporting
Ability to research and apply new information in the practice of pharmacy

Clinical pharmacists play an essential role in healthcare, utilizing their expertise in medicine to ensure that patients receive the most effective treatments and medications. One of the most important skills a clinical pharmacist must possess is knowledge of drug interactions and their effects on the body. When prescribing medications, a clinical pharmacist must be able to recognize any potential interactions between drugs and other substances, including food, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

they must consider how different drugs can interact with each other, as well as how they will affect the patient's overall health. Furthermore, a clinical pharmacist should have a strong understanding of pathophysiology and pharmacology, so they can make informed decisions about the best course of treatment for their patients. Finally, interpersonal communication skills are also important for a clinical pharmacist, as they must be able to clearly explain medications to their patients and build relationships with other healthcare professionals.

having a comprehensive understanding of drug interactions, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and interpersonal communication are all essential qualities of a successful clinical pharmacist.

Retail Pharmacist, Managed Care Pharmacist, and Industrial Pharmacist are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have working as a Clinical Pharmacist?
How do you keep up with changes in pharmaceutical treatments, medications and regulations?
Describe a situation where you had to resolve a difficult problem in a clinical setting.
What strategies do you use to ensure accuracy when preparing medications?
How do you ensure that you remain compliant with relevant regulations and laws?
What techniques do you use to provide patient education on medications and treatments?
How do you prioritize tasks and responsibilities in a busy clinical environment?
Are you familiar with the use of electronic health records and prescribing systems?
Describe how you collaborate with other healthcare professionals to provide optimal patient care.
How do you handle difficult conversations with patients regarding medication adherence?

Common Tools in Industry

Electronic Medical Record (EMR). A digital record of a patient's medical history and health information, used to track and manage patient care. (eg: Epic Systems)
Pharmacy Management System (PMS). Software used to manage pharmacy operations, such as order processing and inventory control. (eg: RxSafe)
Pharmacy Workflow Tools. Software designed to streamline the workflow of a pharmacy, such as tracking patient orders, verifying prescriptions, and automating tasks. (eg: ScriptPro)
Drug Interaction Database. A database of drug interactions and contraindications used to provide recommendations to pharmacists and physicians on safe drug combinations. (eg: Lexicomp)
Drug Information Services. Software that provides up-to-date information on drugs and their indications, dosages, interactions, and contraindications. (eg: Micromedex Drug Reference)
Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS). Software used to help healthcare providers make evidence-based decisions about patient care. (eg: Clinical Pathways)
Medication Reconciliation. Software used to reconcile medications across different healthcare settings and ensure accuracy in medication orders. (eg: Medi-Span Reconciliation Tool)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
American Pharmacists Association (APhA)
National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)
Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP)
American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP)
National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP)
National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS)
International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineering (ISPE)
Drug Information Association (DIA)
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)

We also have Psychiatric Pharmacist, Hospital Pharmacist, and Ambulatory Care Pharmacist jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Medication Therapy Management (MTM). MTM is a specialized area of pharmacy practice which focuses on optimizing medication therapy and improving medication related outcomes for individual patients.
Prescription Writing. Prescription writing is the process of documenting a prescription for a medication or medical device for a patient by a healthcare provider.
Drug Interactions. Drug interactions are a type of drug-drug interaction that occur when two or more drugs interact with each other, resulting in an altered effect of one or both drugs.
Formulary. A formulary is a list of medications and therapies deemed to be safe and effective by an organization, such as a health insurer or government agency.
Pharmacokinetics. Pharmacokinetics is the study of the movement of drugs within the body, including how they are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated.
Clinical Trials. Clinical trials are research studies that involve people and are designed to answer specific questions about new therapies or new ways of using known treatments.
Pharmaceutical Care. Pharmaceutical care is a patient-centered approach to medication management that emphasizes patient outcomes and quality of care.
Adverse Drug Reactions. Adverse drug reactions are unwanted effects of drugs that occur at doses normally used for the treatment or prevention of disease.
Evidence-Based Medicine. Evidence-based medicine is the integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Clinical Pharmacist?

A Clinical Pharmacist is a healthcare professional who specializes in the use of medication for the treatment and management of diseases. They have extensive knowledge of pharmaceuticals and their uses and can provide advice on medication related issues to other healthcare professionals and patients.

What are the responsibilities of a Clinical Pharmacist?

The responsibilities of a Clinical Pharmacist include reviewing patient medical records, assessing patients needs, providing advice and information on medications, advising other healthcare professionals on drug interactions and side effects, monitoring medication usage, and providing patient education and support.

What qualifications are required to become a Clinical Pharmacist?

To become a Clinical Pharmacist, you must have a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree and be licensed to practice pharmacy in the state you work in. You may also need to obtain specialized training and certification in clinical pharmacy, depending on the area of practice.

What type of environment do Clinical Pharmacists typically work in?

Clinical Pharmacists typically work in hospital or health system settings, such as acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, ambulatory care clinics, retail pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies, or research and academic institutions.

What are the benefits of working as a Clinical Pharmacist?

Working as a Clinical Pharmacist offers a variety of benefits, including job stability, competitive salaries, flexible schedules, opportunities for advancement, and the ability to help improve patient health outcomes.