How to Be Long-Term Care Pharmacist - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Dec 14, 2020 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

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Long-term care pharmacists play a vital role in ensuring that patients receive the medications they need to manage their chronic illnesses in a safe and effective manner. As a result, they are responsible for monitoring drug therapy regimens, identifying potential drug interactions, and providing counseling to patients and caregivers. Their expertise in medication therapy management helps to reduce the risk of adverse drug events, improve patient outcomes, and reduce healthcare costs. Additionally, they work closely with other healthcare professionals, such as physicians, nurses, and social workers, to ensure that the patient receives the best possible care.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D) Degree. The first step to becoming a long-term care pharmacist is to obtain a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D) degree from an accredited college or university. This typically takes 4 years and requires completion of coursework in pharmacology, pharmacotherapeutics, drug interactions, and other topics related to the practice of pharmacy.
Obtain a Pharmacy License. All states require pharmacists to be licensed before they can practice. The requirements vary by state but typically include a passing score on the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX).
Gain Professional Experience. After obtaining a pharmacy license, prospective long-term care pharmacists must gain experience working in a pharmacy setting. This can be done through internships or residency programs, or by working as a pharmacy technician or pharmacist in a retail environment.
Seek Certification. Long-term care pharmacists can become certified in the specialty through the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties (BPS). This certification requires passing the BPS exam and having at least two years of experience in a long-term care setting.
Consider Further Education. Some long-term care pharmacists pursue additional education such as a master's degree in healthcare administration or a fellowship program in geriatric pharmacy. This can help them advance their career and increase their earning potential.

The demand for long-term care pharmacists has increased as the number of seniors needing specialized medications and treatments has grown. This has created a need for more efficient and effective ways to provide medication and care to these individuals. For example, the use of automated dispensing systems has allowed pharmacists to fill prescriptions faster and with fewer errors, while electronic prescribing systems have improved the accuracy of medication orders and helped reduce medication errors.

In addition, pharmacists are increasingly focused on providing patient education and counseling to ensure that seniors understand their medications and how to take them safely. All of these advances have resulted in improved quality of care and better outcomes for those needing long-term care.

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Job Description

Analyze patient medication profiles and provide clinical interventions to ensure appropriate medication use.
Develop and review drug therapeutic regimens in collaboration with other members of the healthcare team.
Ensure compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards related to medication management.
Provide comprehensive medication reviews to identify potential drug-related problems.
Monitor drug therapy outcomes and adjust drug regimens according to patient response.
Participate in the evaluation and selection of pharmacy products and services.
Compound and dispense medications for long-term care residents.
Educate long-term care staff, residents, and families about medication use and related issues.
Participate in quality improvement initiatives to improve medication use in the long-term care setting.
Develop protocols and policies for medication storage and distribution.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of medication management principles and techniques.
Comprehensive understanding of the Medicare and Medicaid programs, as well as other long-term care payment systems.
Knowledge of the legal and ethical aspects of pharmacy practice.
Ability to develop and maintain relationships with long-term care facility staff, administrators, and healthcare providers.
Ability to collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure patient safety, optimal care, and cost-effective outcomes.
Expertise in the selection, procurement, storage, preparation, and dispensing of medications.
Understanding of the principles of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
Ability to identify and resolve medication-related issues in long-term care settings.
Knowledge of the principles of drug therapy management in long-term care facilities.
Ability to develop comprehensive medication management plans for residents.
Expertise in the use of computerized pharmacy software systems for ordering, dispensing, and monitoring medications.
Ability to provide patient education on the proper use of medications and their potential side effects.
Knowledge of the regulations governing long-term care pharmacy practice.
Ability to conduct drug utilization reviews to ensure safe, appropriate drug therapy.
Expertise in the identification and management of drug allergies and interactions.

Being a long-term care pharmacist requires extensive knowledge of medications and their effects on the elderly population. It also requires the ability to work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals such as physicians, nurses, and medical administrators to provide comprehensive care for patients. Having strong communication and organizational skills is essential for long-term care pharmacists in order to effectively coordinate medication orders, monitor patient responses to medications, and develop strategies for successful medication management.

it is important for long-term care pharmacists to understand the unique needs of the elderly patients, including their physical, mental, and social needs, in order to provide the best care possible. By having these skills, long-term care pharmacists are able to provide a high level of care and help ensure that elderly patients receive the most appropriate medication treatments.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have working in a long-term care setting?
What strategies do you use to ensure accuracy in medication ordering, dispensing and administration?
How familiar are you with the regulations and guidelines related to the long-term care pharmacy practice?
How do you prioritize your tasks to ensure patient safety?
How do you handle a situation when there is a discrepancy between the physician's orders and the medication selected?
What strategies do you use to stay current with the latest medication therapies?
How do you ensure that medication errors are identified and addressed in a timely manner?
How do you collaborate with other healthcare professionals to optimize patient outcomes?
How do you stay organized and manage multiple tasks at one time?
What challenges have you faced while working in a long-term care pharmacy setting and how did you overcome them?

Common Tools in Industry

Medication Management Software. A computer system used to store and manage patient medication profiles and track the dispensing of medications. (Eg: Pyxis MedStation System)
Automated Dispensing Machines. Devices that store, count and dispense medications. (Eg: Pyxis CII Safe)
Electronic Health Records (EHR). Electronic systems that store patient health information and medical histories. (Eg: Epic EHR)
Automated Order Entry Systems. Computer programs that allow providers to quickly enter and submit prescription orders. (Eg: Surescripts)
Clinical Decision Support Systems. Computer systems that help to facilitate decision-making for clinicians by providing access to evidence-based clinical knowledge. (Eg: UpToDate)
Pharmacy Information Systems. Computer programs that manage pharmacy inventory, billing, and reporting. (Eg: PharmacyOne)
Drug Information Databases. Online resources that provide detailed information about drugs, their interactions, side effects, and more. (Eg: Lexicomp)
Medication Error Prevention Tools. Systems designed to help pharmacists identify and prevent medication errors before they occur. (Eg: Barcode Scanning Systems)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Society of Consultant Pharmacists
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
American College of Clinical Pharmacy
National Association of Boards of Pharmacy
American College of Apothecaries
National Community Pharmacists Association
Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare
National Council for Prescription Drug Programs
American Pharmacists Association
International Society of Pharmaceutical Care

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Common Important Terms

Medication Management. The process of prescribing, dispensing, and monitoring medications prescribed to a patient.
Formulary. An organized list of medications approved by a health care provider, usually for use in a particular setting or for a specific disease.
Pharmacogenomics. The study of how genetics affects the body's response to medications, including the way it metabolizes drugs.
Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR). An undesired and unexpected side effect of a drug that can range from mild to serious.
Clinical Pharmacy. The practice of providing pharmaceutical care to optimize patient outcomes and promote safe and effective medication use.
Drug Interactions. When two or more drugs interact with each other to cause an unexpected or adverse effect.
Compliance. Adherence to the instructions given by a healthcare provider when taking a medication.
Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs). Organizations that administer prescription drug programs for health plans, employers, and other organizations.
Drug Utilization Review (DUR). An analysis of a patient's medication use to identify potential issues and ensure that they are taking their medications safely and effectively.
Pharmaceutical Care. A collaborative practice between pharmacists and other healthcare providers to optimize a patient's medication therapy outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Long-Term Care Pharmacist?

A Long-Term Care Pharmacist is a healthcare professional who specializes in providing pharmaceutical care for patients in long-term care facilities such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other extended care settings.

What responsibilities does a Long-Term Care Pharmacist have?

Long-Term Care Pharmacists are responsible for providing comprehensive pharmaceutical care to patients in long-term care settings. This includes medication and disease state management, drug selection and monitoring, patient education and counseling, and drug utilization review.

What qualifications are required to be a Long-Term Care Pharmacist?

To be a Long-Term Care Pharmacist, one must have a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an accredited university and must be licensed by their respective state board of pharmacy. Additionally, Long-Term Care Pharmacists must have experience in managing medication regimens for elderly patients, as well as strong interpersonal and communication skills.

What type of environment does a Long-Term Care Pharmacist work in?

Long-Term Care Pharmacists typically work in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and other extended care settings. The environment can be both fast-paced and stressful, as long-term care facilities often require high levels of attention to detail and patient care.

What is the average salary of a Long-Term Care Pharmacist?

According to Salary.com, the average annual salary for a Long-Term Care Pharmacist is approximately $122,000. This salary can vary depending on experience, location, and other factors.

Web Resources

Pharmscript of IL - Long Tern Care Staff Pharmacist - evenings ... students.pharmacy.uic.edu
Career Paths in Pharmacy - University of Health Sciences and www.uhsp.edu
Pharmacist Careers | Idaho State University www.isu.edu