Clinical Pharmacist |
Career OverviewThe role of a clinical pharmacist is to provide the best possible care to the patient using pharmaceutical products to promote recovery, health and recuperation. The clinical pharmacist focuses on the whole patient and the treatment or recovery process to use medications in the most helpful and constructive way for the treatment of the condition or disease.
The clinical pharmacist does not just respond to the prescription that a doctor provides; they work with medical staff and have input and provide knowledge about medicines that will be beneficial to the patient. Since most doctors and nurses do not have time to keep up with all the advances in pharmaceutical research the clinical pharmacist becomes the resource and information source on medicines and medicinal therapies available for various conditions and diseases.
The clinical pharmacist usually works with the treatment team and may spend time interacting directly with the patient. They are responsible for monitoring and adjusting the dosages of medications with input to the treatment team. The clinical pharmacist may work on the unit, ward, or within the clinic or treatment facility. The term clinical in the job title indicates this active involvement in the treatment of the patient.
A clinical pharmacist must be knowledgeable on the latest uses of traditional medications as well as new medications that are being used in specific treatments. He or she is required to calculate appropriate dosages as well as notify patients and staff of any contraindicators for use or possible complications or side effects with the use of the medication. Close monitoring of multiple medications with patients is also the responsibility of the clinical pharmacist.
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Career RequirementsThe clinical pharmacist is required to have a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm-D) as well as having completed and passed the NAPLEX exams that contribute to licensure. In some states a clinical pharmacist must also take the MJPE tests that score the pharmacists knowledge of legal matters relating to medications.
Some clinical pharmacists may also complete a one or two-year residency program that allows for addition training specific to hands-on treatment of patients in care and treatment teams. Further information about the requirements for a clinical pharmacist can be found through the American College of Clinical Pharmacists.
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Job OutlookThe demand for clinical pharmacists will exceed the number of qualified job seekers in the market. This trend is anticipated to continue until at least the year 2014 according the United States Department of Labor. As more clinical pharmacists leave the career to work in other areas of pharmacy this number is likely to rise even more.
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Career TrackClinical pharmacists have several options for advancement and movement. Those clinical pharmacists with an interest in medical settings can move into management of clinical pharmacies or supervision of new clinical pharmacists. Some clinical pharmacist will return to teaching and the demand for instructors in schools of pharmacy is very high.
Those clinical pharmacists that enjoy research may work as researchers for private pharmaceutical companies or may decide to work for government research facilities.
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CompensationThe average salary for a clinical pharmacist in a medical or surgical hospital is approximately $84,000 per year. Some senior clinical pharmacists in these positions may earn more than $100,000 per year however these higher salaries are usually in private care facilities or hospitals and larger, prestigious hospitals.
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