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

Jul 19, 2022 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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As the healthcare system evolves, the demand for Clinical Pharmacy Specialists has increased significantly. This is due to the rise in chronic diseases and the need for greater patient care and safety. Clinical Pharmacy Specialists play a vital role in the healthcare system, as they are responsible for optimizing medication therapy, reducing drug-related problems, and improving patient outcomes.

They are also responsible for conducting medication reviews and providing pharmacotherapy services to ensure safe, effective, and economical drug therapy for patients. The expertise of Clinical Pharmacy Specialists, such as their knowledge of therapeutic drug monitoring, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and drug interactions, is essential in helping patients achieve the best possible outcomes with their medications.

Steps How to Become

Complete a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D. ) Degree Program. To become a clinical pharmacy specialist, you must first complete a Doctor of Pharmacy degree program. These four-year programs cover a wide range of topics, including pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, pharmacy law, and drug therapies.
Obtain a State Pharmacist License. All clinical pharmacy specialists must obtain a state pharmacist license in order to practice. To do this, you must pass the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX). This exam is administered by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy and tests your knowledge of pharmacy practice.
Obtain a Specialty Certification. Once you have a state pharmacist license, you can pursue specialty certification from the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties (BPS). This organization offers certifications in several specialty areas, including ambulatory care, oncology, nuclear pharmacy, and nutrition support. To obtain certification, you must meet the BPS eligibility requirements and pass an examination.
Pursue Continuing Education. To remain certified in clinical pharmacy, you must pursue continuing education each year. The BPS requires you to complete at least 50 hours of continuing education activities every two years in order to maintain your certification.
Consider Joining Professional Organizations. Joining professional organizations is an excellent way to stay abreast of new developments in clinical pharmacy and to network with other professionals in the field.

To stay updated and qualified as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, it is important to stay informed about the latest developments in the field. Taking continuing education courses and participating in professional development activities are essential for staying on top of the most current trends and best practices. As technology advances, it is important to stay up-to-date with the latest software and technology used in the field and to attend conferences and seminars that discuss the newest clinical treatments and medications.

it is important to keep abreast of new developments in regulations and laws that impact the practice of clinical pharmacy and to stay informed about the latest research in the field. By doing all of these things, clinical pharmacy specialists can ensure they remain knowledgeable and skilled in their profession.

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Job Description

Design and implement medication therapy protocols and therapeutics guidelines.
Provide comprehensive medication review, patient counseling, and patient education services.
Evaluate and monitor patient responses to drug therapies and recommend changes in protocols as necessary.
Collaborate with healthcare providers to establish cost-effective medication therapy regimens.
Provide consultation on drug selection, dosing, drug interactions, and therapeutic monitoring.
Participate in multidisciplinary teams to provide optimal patient care.
Develop and implement medication safety initiatives to reduce medication errors.
Prepare and present continuing education programs on topics related to clinical pharmacy practice.
Participate in drug utilization reviews to ensure use of medications is safe, effective, and cost-efficient.
Assist with the development, implementation, and evaluation of clinical pathways and protocols.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of medication safety principles, evidence-based practice, and therapeutic drug management.
Ability to assess and monitor patient medication regimens.
Ability to collaborate with healthcare professionals in order to optimize drug therapy outcomes.
Knowledge of applicable laws and regulations regarding the prescription and dispensing of medications.
Ability to identify drug interactions, contraindications, and adverse reactions.
Expertise in evaluating therapeutic drug options for optimal patient outcomes.
Knowledge of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacoeconomics.
Ability to communicate medication information to patients and other healthcare professionals.
Ability to provide continuing education to other healthcare professionals.
Ability to perform drug utilization reviews and medication effectiveness monitoring.

Clinical Pharmacy Specialists are highly knowledgeable and experienced healthcare professionals who provide specialized medication therapy management services to patients. They are responsible for ensuring that medications are used safely and effectively to achieve the desired therapeutic outcomes. To do this, Clinical Pharmacy Specialists must possess a range of skills, including a strong understanding of pharmacology, pathophysiology, and disease management.

They must also be able to interpret laboratory results, develop medication regimens, and assess patient responses to medications. Furthermore, they need to be able to effectively communicate with other healthcare professionals and collaborate with patients to ensure medication safety and adherence. In addition, Clinical Pharmacy Specialists must have excellent problem-solving and critical thinking skills to handle complex medical situations.

Lastly, they must possess strong interpersonal skills in order to build trust and rapport with patients, which is essential for successful patient care. Clinical Pharmacy Specialists who possess these skills are able to provide high-quality, individualized patient care and ultimately improve patient outcomes.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What inspired you to pursue a career in Clinical Pharmacy?
How do you stay up to date on the latest advancements in Clinical Pharmacy?
Explain your experience with using clinical software and databases.
Describe your experience with providing patient education.
How do you collaborate with other healthcare providers to ensure optimal patient care?
Describe the most challenging case you have encountered in Clinical Pharmacy.
What strategies do you use to provide patient-centered care?
How do you handle difficult conversations or situations with patients or other healthcare professionals?
What skills do you bring to the role of Clinical Pharmacy Specialist?
What techniques do you use to troubleshoot complicated medication orders?

Common Tools in Industry

Drug Database. A database of drugs and medications used to identify drug names, indications, dosages, and interactions. (e. g. Lexicomp)
Electronic Health Records (EHR). An electronic record of patient health information that is used to support patient care and management. (e. g. Epic)
Pharmacy Information Systems (PIS). A computerized system that helps manage medication administration, control drug usage, and record patient data. (e. g. Cerner)
Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS). A system that provides healthcare professionals with evidence-based recommendations on diagnosis and treatment. (e. g. UpToDate)
Medication Reconciliation Software. A tool used to ensure accuracy in medication orders, dosages, and indications. (e. g. Medi-Span)
Drug Interaction Checker. A software used to identify potential drug interactions or contraindications. (e. g. Lexi-Interact)
Drug Formulary Management Software. A tool used to manage a facility's drug formulary, keep track of inventory, and recommend drug therapies. (e. g. DxCG)
Adverse Event Reporting Software. A tool for reporting and tracking adverse drug events and medication errors. (e. g. ISMP Med-ERRS)

Professional Organizations to Know

American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP)
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
International Society of Clinical Pharmacy (ISCP)
National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP)
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)
American Pharmacists Association (APhA)
National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)
National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA)
International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP)
American Society for Pharmacy Law (ASPL)

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Common Important Terms

Drug Utilization Review (DUR). An evaluation of the patterns of medication use in order to improve therapeutic outcomes.
Disease State Management (DSM). A proactive approach to patient care that focuses on preventing, diagnosing, and managing chronic diseases.
Pharmacotherapy. The use of medications to treat or prevent disease.
Medication Therapy Management (MTM). A comprehensive approach to assessing and improving the use of medications by patients.
Formulary. A list of medications that are approved and preferred by a healthcare organization for patient use.
Drug Interactions. A situation in which a drug affects the activity of another drug when taken together.
Adverse Drug Events (ADEs). Any undesirable or unintended effect of a medication, including side effects and allergic reactions.
Clinical Pathways. Algorithms used to guide clinicians in the management of specific conditions or diseases.
Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM). A practice that relies on the best available evidence from systematic research in order to make decisions about patient care.
Pharmacoeconomics. The study of the cost-effectiveness of pharmaceuticals and other medical interventions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist?

A Clinical Pharmacy Specialist is a healthcare professional who specializes in the clinical use of medications and other therapies to optimize patient outcomes.

What type of training is required to become a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist?

To become a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, an individual must complete a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree program and obtain a license to practice pharmacy in the state where they are employed. Additionally, specialized training and certification may be required in certain specialty areas.

How many Clinical Pharmacy Specialists are there?

According to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, there are more than 45,000 Clinical Pharmacy Specialists currently practicing in the United States.

What are some common roles of a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist?

Common roles of a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist include evaluating and recommending drug therapies, providing drug information, providing patient education, and monitoring therapeutic outcomes.

What type of environment do Clinical Pharmacy Specialists typically work in?

Clinical Pharmacy Specialists typically work in hospital or outpatient settings, though they may also work in pharmaceutical research and development or teaching institutions.