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

Sep 16, 2020 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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The demand for home infusion pharmacists has grown significantly in recent years, as the ability for people to receive medical treatments from the comfort of their own homes has become increasingly common. This increase in demand is due to the many benefits that this type of healthcare provides, such as greater convenience, reduced costs, improved access to specialized treatments, and improved patient outcomes. As a result, home infusion pharmacists are now in high demand, as they are responsible for preparing, administering and monitoring medications, as well as educating patients and their families on the proper use of their treatments. Additionally, they are also responsible for providing clinical support to other healthcare professionals and ensuring that the medications used are safe and effective.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Degree. The first step to becoming a Home Infusion Pharmacist is to obtain a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. This is typically a four-year program that includes both classroom instruction and clinical rotations. Courses in this program will cover topics like pharmacology, drug interactions, and pharmacy law.
Complete a Home Infusion Specialty Residency Program. Once you have obtained your PharmD, you may choose to complete a specialty residency program in home infusion. This will provide you with advanced training in home infusion techniques and protocols. During this program you may also participate in clinical rotations and gain hands-on experience.
Obtain State Licensure. The next step to becoming a Home Infusion Pharmacist is to obtain state licensure. This requires passing a written exam as well as an oral exam. Each state has its own requirements for licensure, so make sure to research the requirements for the state you plan to work in.
Obtain Certification. To further demonstrate your competency as a Home Infusion Pharmacist, you may choose to obtain certification. The Board of Pharmacy Specialties offers the Certified Home Infusion Pharmacist (CHIP) designation. This requires passing an exam and completing 10 hours of continuing education every two years.
Gain Experience. Once you have obtained your PharmD, completed a residency program, obtained state licensure, and obtained certification, it is important to gain experience in the field. You can do this by working as a Home Infusion Pharmacist with a hospital or clinic, or by working with a home infusion pharmacy. This experience can help you to further refine your skills and gain an understanding of the industry.

The demand for home infusion pharmacists is growing as more and more patients are being treated for chronic and long-term illnesses. This increased need for home infusion pharmacists is due to a variety of factors, including the aging population and the complex medical needs of those with chronic conditions. Home infusion pharmacists must be highly trained and competent in order to provide safe and effective care to their patients.

This requires knowledge of pharmacology, drug administration, compounding, and drug interactions as well as an understanding of the patients condition and lifestyle. home infusion pharmacists must be able to recognize signs and symptoms of adverse reactions and intervene appropriately. Finally, they must have excellent communication skills in order to effectively collaborate with other healthcare professionals, provide patient education, and ensure adherence to the prescribed medications.

These skills and knowledge make the home infusion pharmacist an essential part of the healthcare team.

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Job Description

Prepare and compound sterile and non-sterile medications for intravenous or subcutaneous infusion.
Monitor and evaluate patient responses to medications and adjust dosage accordingly.
Develop and implement therapeutic plans based on the patients individual needs.
Provide patient education and counseling on medications, side effects, and safety precautions.
Monitor patient progress and report any changes in condition to physicians.
Collaborate with other healthcare professionals to coordinate the patients care.
Order and maintain an adequate supply of medications and supplies.
Ensure accurate and timely documentation of patient records in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
Participate in quality improvement activities to ensure safe and effective home infusion care.
Stay abreast of new developments in the field of home infusion pharmacy.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of infection control and sterile compounding principles.
Ability to problem-solve clinical and medication related issues.
Ability to provide patient education on infusion therapies and medications.
Knowledge of USP 797 and USP 800 regulations.
Understanding of the reimbursement process for infusions and injectables.
Ability to use safe, sterile techniques for the delivery of intravenous medications.
Understanding of pharmacy operations including compounding, dispensing, and inventory management.
Knowledge of drug interactions and contraindications.
Ability to collaborate with other healthcare providers for optimal patient care.
Knowledge of infusion pumps, including programming and troubleshooting.
Ability to administer high-risk medications safely and appropriately.
Ability to provide emergency response in a critical care setting.

A Home Infusion Pharmacist is a specialized healthcare professional who is trained to provide medications and treatments to patients in their own homes. This type of pharmacist must possess a wide range of skills, such as knowledge of the medications they are dispensing, the ability to recognize potential drug interactions, and an understanding of the legal and ethical responsibilities of their profession. it is important for a Home Infusion Pharmacist to be able to provide patient education and counseling, have excellent communication skills, and have a comprehensive knowledge of medical terminology.

Having these skills helps Home Infusion Pharmacists ensure that patients get the most effective care for their individual needs. Furthermore, these pharmacists must also be able to troubleshoot any technical issues that may arise with the equipment used to administer medications or treatments. With these skills, Home Infusion Pharmacists can help make sure that patients receive quality care in the comfort of their own homes.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in home infusion pharmacy?
Describe a time when you had to manage a difficult situation related to home infusion pharmacy.
What challenges have you encountered in home infusion pharmacy, and how did you handle them?
How do you stay up-to-date on industry trends and regulations related to home infusion pharmacy?
What strategies do you use to ensure accuracy and efficiency with home infusion orders?
How do you handle customer complaints related to home infusion pharmacy?
How do you collaborate with other departments to ensure successful outcomes for home infusion patients?
How do you respond to time constraints when handling home infusion orders?
Describe your experience with documenting and tracking patient records for home infusion pharmacy.
What methods do you use to ensure patient safety when administering home infusion medications?

Common Tools in Industry

IV pumps. Devices used to deliver fluids and medications intravenously. (eg: Alaris® Pump Module)
Refrigerators. Devices used to store medications at a temperature-controlled environment. (eg: TrueMed Temperature Controlled Refrigerator)
Syringes. Devices used to inject medications into the bloodstream. (eg: BD Syringe)
Infusion bags. Containers for storing and transporting infusions. (eg: B. Braun Infusion Bag)
Compounding equipment. Tools used to mix medications for infusion. (eg: Baxter® Compounding Equipment)
Automated pharmacy systems. Software used to track dosage, expiration dates, and medical records. (eg: PharmASSIST® Automated Pharmacy System)
Compliance monitoring systems. Tools used to ensure infusion protocols are followed. (eg: Baxter® Compliance Monitoring System)
Clinical Care documentation systems. Software used to document patient care plans. (eg: Allscripts® Clinical Care Documentation System)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
American Association of Clinical Pharmacists (AACP)
The Academy of Home Infusion Pharmacy (AHIP)
American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP)
Infusion Nurses Society (INS)
Home Infusion Association (HIA)
National Home Infusion Association (NHIA)
International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR)
National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)
National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP)

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Common Important Terms

Intravenous (IV) Therapy. A medical procedure in which a liquid medication or nutrient solution is injected directly into a patients vein.
Parenteral Nutrition. The administration of nutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids, directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system.
Home Health Care. A range of health care services that can be provided in a patients home setting.
Drug Compounding. The process of preparing personalized medications for individual patients by combining, mixing, or altering ingredients of drugs prescribed by practitioners.
Home Infusion Services. Services provided to patients in their homes to provide infusion therapy, parenteral nutrition, and intravenous medications.
Home Infusion Pharmacist. A pharmacist who specializes in providing home infusion services, including patient assessment, drug selection, preparation and delivery of medications, patient education, and monitoring for adverse reactions and clinical outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Home Infusion Pharmacy?

Home Infusion Pharmacy is a specialized area of pharmacy practice that involves the distribution and administration of medications and other services to patients in their homes.

What are the duties of a Home Infusion Pharmacist?

Home Infusion Pharmacists are responsible for providing safe, effective, and efficient pharmaceutical care to home infusion patients. This includes patient assessment and medication counseling, medication order verification and compounding, medication delivery and administration, patient education, and ongoing monitoring of the patient's response to therapy.

What type of medications are administered through Home Infusion Pharmacy?

Home infusion pharmacies provide a variety of medications, including antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, nutritionals, pain medications, and iron supplements.

How many Home Infusion Pharmacists are there?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were approximately 14,000 Home Infusion Pharmacists employed in 2018.

What are the qualifications for becoming a Home Infusion Pharmacist?

To become a Home Infusion Pharmacist, individuals must possess a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an accredited university and must be licensed in the state where they will be practicing. Additionally, many employers require completion of an infusion-specific residency program.