Ambulatory Pharmacist |
Career OverviewAn ambulatory pharmacist cares specifically for those patients that are at high risk for drug or medicine related problems. This can include patients with chronic conditions such as some types of cancer, diagnosed HIV, renal conditions, diabetes, asthma and other illnesses that require long-term drug interventions to cure or control the disease or condition.
Many ambulatory pharmacists are also assigned to patients that have a history of not following through on prescriptions or using the medication incorrectly or not according to directions. The ambulatory pharmacist spends additional time with each patient ensuring that they understand the reasons for the medications and the possible negative side effects if the medications are not taken correctly or for the full duration of the treatment.
Ambulatory pharmacists may be assigned to clinics or speciality treatment centers. Often ambulatory pharmacists work in outpatient clinics and facilities that prove all services for patients within one area. Some ambulatory pharmacist work with mobile medical units that treat poor, homeless or drug addicted individuals.
Ambulatory pharmacists must be able to communicate effectively with a wide range of patients from those with mental health concerns to elderly or chronically ill patients. Having the patience and skills to explain drug reactions and complications to these people is very important and may mean the difference between controlling the condition or having it become worse.
The ambulatory pharmacist has all the other requirements of a standard pharmacist including record keeping, information sharing and the ability to watch for any possible drug reactions with different prescriptions.
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Career RequirementsThe ambulatory pharmacist must be a licensed pharmacist in the state they are working in and have a Pharm-D or Doctor of Pharmacy. In addition the ambulatory pharmacist must pass at the NAPLEX exam which tests knowledge of medications and possibly the MPJE that tests legal knowledge with relationship to medications.
Some ambulatory pharmacist may be require to complete a residency program in addition to their formal education.
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Job OutlookAll pharmacy jobs, including ambulatory pharmacists will increase over the next few years as the demand for trained pharmacists will exceed the number of qualified job seekers in the marketplace. Since ambulatory pharmacists are required to work some shift work and possibly evening or weekend hours these positions may be more available than some of the pharmacy based job openings.
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Career TrackAn ambulatory pharmacist may move into supervisory roles training new ambulatory pharmacists entering the workplace. He or she may also buy into an existing pharmacy or start his or her own pharmacy or pharmacy related business. Some ambulatory pharmacists with outpatient or clinical experience move into hospital pharmacies or even move into research or industrial pharmacy jobs.
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CompensationAs with most types of pharmacists the average wage for an ambulatory pharmacist is between $76,000 and $95,000 per year. Those ambulatory pharmacist that are required to work evening or weekend shifts will have a higher pay level than those working standard daily hours.
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