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

The role of an Outpatient Pharmacist is growing in importance due to the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases. This is because they are responsible for ensuring that patients with conditions such as diabetes, asthma, and cardiovascular diseases receive the right medications and dosages, along with the necessary counseling and support. As a result, these patients can achieve better health outcomes, improved quality of life, and lower healthcare costs.

an Outpatient Pharmacist is also tasked with monitoring drug interactions, as well as providing education to patients on the correct usage and storage of medications. By doing so, they can help reduce medication errors, prevent potential side effects, and improve patient safety.

Steps How to Become

  1. Obtain a Bachelor's Degree in Pharmacy. To become an outpatient pharmacy, you must first complete a bachelor's degree in pharmacy from a program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE). Most pharmacy programs require two years of prerequisite courses in math, science, and the humanities before you can be admitted.
  2. Obtain a Pharmacy Internship. Once you have completed your undergraduate degree in pharmacy, you must obtain an internship at a recognized pharmacy. This will help you gain hands-on experience in the field and build relationships with other pharmacists who can provide you with job leads and advice.
  3. Pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE). The PTCE is a national exam designed to test your knowledge of pharmacy law, drug safety and effectiveness, and other related topics. Passing this exam is necessary to become a certified pharmacy technician and work as an outpatient pharmacist.
  4. Obtain a State License. After passing the PTCE, you must obtain a state license to practice pharmacy. To do this, you must submit an application to your state board of pharmacy and pass the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) examination.
  5. Obtain Certification from the American Pharmacists Association (APhA). The APhA certification is an additional credential that can help you stand out when applying for outpatient pharmacist positions. This certification requires two years of supervised practice as a registered pharmacist, as well as completing continuing education courses in areas such as drug therapy, drug interactions, and pharmacology.
  6. Find an Outpatient Pharmacist Position. Once you have your state license, PTCE certification, and APhA certification, you can start applying for jobs as an outpatient pharmacist. You can search job postings online or contact local pharmacies directly to inquire about available positions.
Staying ahead and efficient as an outpatient pharmacist requires the utilization of modern technology and organizational tools. The use of electronic health records and integrated pharmacy management systems can save time and resources, allowing pharmacists to better manage patient care and medication distribution. Additionally, organizing workflow to prioritize tasks can increase productivity, while maintaining accurate and complete records can prevent costly errors from occurring. Finally, taking advantage of continuing education courses to stay informed of the latest developments in the field of pharmacy can help pharmacists remain ahead of the curve and provide their patients with the most effective treatment options.

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Job Description

  1. Dispense medications to patients according to their prescriptions, ensuring accuracy and safety.
  2. Monitor patient medication therapy, ensuring compliance with protocols and regulations.
  3. Provide drug information and education to patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
  4. Review patient profiles to determine if any potential drug interactions exist.
  5. Participate in clinical pharmacy services, including performing drug regimen reviews, monitoring drug therapy, and providing clinical interventions when appropriate.
  6. Collaborate with physicians and other healthcare providers to maximize therapeutic outcomes for patients.
  7. Maintain accurate and complete patient medication records.
  8. Participate in the development and implementation of pharmaceutical programs for specific patient populations.
  9. Participate in the development and implementation of clinical practice guidelines.
  10. Review and approve medication orders for accuracy, appropriateness, and completeness.

Skills and Competencies to Have

  1. Knowledge of pharmaceuticals and medications
  2. Knowledge of pharmacological principles, medical terminology, and drug interactions
  3. Ability to interpret physician orders and prepare and dispense medications
  4. Understanding of medication storage requirements and management
  5. Ability to counsel patients on medication use and side effects
  6. Ability to accurately enter patient information into a computer system
  7. Ability to follow safety protocols for handling medications
  8. Knowledge of reimbursement systems for medications
  9. Ability to manage inventory of medications and order new supplies
  10. Ability to comply with regulatory requirements for dispensing medications

Outpatient pharmacists must possess a range of essential skills in order to be successful in their role. The most important skill for an outpatient pharmacist is excellent communication. Pharmacists are often required to discuss drug information, dosage instructions, and potential side effects with patients.

Without good communication skills, it can be difficult for pharmacists to accurately explain medication information and effectively provide pharmaceutical care. good interpersonal skills are also important since pharmacists often interact with different types of people, including healthcare providers, customers, and insurance companies. Outpatient pharmacists must also have strong organizational skills in order to manage multiple tasks, prioritize work, and maintain accurate records.

Furthermore, they must be proficient in the use of computer software and technology since they rely on electronic medical records, patient profiles, and drug databases to store and manage patient information. Lastly, pharmacists must have a deep knowledge of pharmacology and related medical sciences in order to properly evaluate prescription requests and determine appropriate treatments. Having these essential skills enables outpatient pharmacists to provide quality patient care, ensure patient safety, and help improve health outcomes.

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Frequent Interview Questions

  • What experience do you have working in an outpatient pharmacy setting?
  • How do you stay up to date with the latest pharmacy laws and regulations?
  • How do you handle customer complaints or questions?
  • Describe a time when you successfully resolved a complex medication issue.
  • How do you prioritize tasks when faced with multiple deadlines?
  • Describe your experience working with electronic health records systems.
  • What strategies do you use for improving medication adherence among patients?
  • How do you ensure accuracy when preparing and dispensing medications?
  • What methods do you use to build trust and rapport with patients?
  • What challenges have you faced while working in an outpatient pharmacy setting?

Common Tools in Industry

  1. Prescription Verification System. A system used to verify information on a patient's prescription, such as dosage, form, and refills. (eg: RxVerify)
  2. Medication Reconciliation System. A system used to compare a patient's current medications with those prescribed by a healthcare provider to ensure accuracy and safety. (eg: MedRec)
  3. Drug Interaction Database. A database that provides information about potential interactions between medications and other substances. (eg: Drug Interact)
  4. Electronic Medical Records System. A system used to store and maintain health information in a secure, electronic format. (eg: Epic)
  5. Automated Dispensing System. A system used to dispense medications quickly and accurately. (eg: Pyxis)
  6. Pharmacy Inventory Management System. A system used to track and manage the inventory of medications in a pharmacy. (eg: PharmInventory)

Professional Organizations to Know

  1. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
  2. American Pharmacists Association (APhA)
  3. National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP)
  4. Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP)
  5. American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP)
  6. National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)
  7. National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP)
  8. American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)
  9. International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP)
  10. American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP)

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Common Important Terms

  1. Prescription. A written order from a physician, dentist, or other authorized medical practitioner for the preparation and administration of a drug or device for a patient.
  2. Medication Therapy Management (MTM). A service that helps to optimize the effectiveness and safety of medications taken by individual patients.
  3. Formulary. A list of medications covered by a health insurance plan or other health care payer.
  4. Drug Interactions. The effect of one drug or substance on the activity of another when both are given together.
  5. Pharmaceutical Care. A process that involves patient assessment, drug selection, patient education, monitoring of drug therapy outcomes, and medication compliance.
  6. Pharmacokinetics. The study of the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs in the body.
  7. Drug Utilization Review (DUR). A process used to evaluate the appropriateness of drug use for a particular patient.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Outpatient Pharmacist?

An Outpatient Pharmacist is a healthcare professional who specializes in preparing and dispensing medications to patients in an outpatient setting, such as a hospital or clinic.

What qualifications are required to become an Outpatient Pharmacist?

To become an Outpatient Pharmacist, a person must have a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree, be licensed to practice pharmacy in the state where they work, and have completed a residency program in pharmacy practice.

What duties does an Outpatient Pharmacist typically perform?

Outpatient Pharmacists typically perform duties such as assessing medication orders for accuracy, verifying prescription refills, counseling patients on the proper use of medications, and providing drug information to other healthcare providers.

How much does an Outpatient Pharmacist typically earn?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for Outpatient Pharmacists was $124,170 in 2019.

What is the job outlook for Outpatient Pharmacists?

The job outlook for Outpatient Pharmacists is positive, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicting a 5% job growth rate between 2019 and 2029.

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