What does a Clinical Pharmacist actually do?

[Confused321]

Hello

I would like to know what a pharmacist that specializes in clinical pharmacy
actually does. Are they basically inside the pharmacy in a hospital or do they
actually walk around in the ER and treat patients?
And why do clinical pharmacists make only 100K?

I also want to know where a clinical pharmacist lies in the healthcare spectrum,
are they regarded with the same authority as physicians in a hospital or are they
more like nurse/PA ?

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[Snapoutofit]

Hello

I would like to know what a pharmacist that specializes in clinical pharmacy
actually does. Are they basically inside the pharmacy in a hospital or do they
actually walk around in the ER and treat patients?
And why do clinical pharmacists make only 100K?

I also want to know where a clinical pharmacist lies in the healthcare spectrum,
are they regarded with the same authority as physicians in a hospital or are they
more like nurse/PA ?

PA (PAs are above nurses)
help with dosing, support to nurses
google mid level provider

 

[nnnn32125]

Hello

I would like to know what a pharmacist that specializes in clinical pharmacy
actually does. Are they basically inside the pharmacy in a hospital or do they
actually walk around in the ER and treat patients?
And why do clinical pharmacists make only 100K?

I also want to know where a clinical pharmacist lies in the healthcare spectrum,
are they regarded with the same authority as physicians in a hospital or are they
more like nurse/PA ?

It depends on the clinical services you're talking about. There's different areas of specialty pharmacy such as Nuclear medicine, oncology, behavioral health, ICU, cardiac care, anticoag, etc...Each hospital is a little different and portrays a clinical pharmacist differently. In my institution we spend time doing chart review, therapeutic interchange, interdisciplinary rounds, etc. The money piece is really dependent on the area you're looking at among other things. If you're talking about only wanting to make money, then retail is where you should go. Authority piece is based on the state you practice in, the organization/hospital you work for, and the protocols that are in place.

 

[jokersmiles]

A pharmacist is a mid level provider (physician's assistant, nurse, and pharmacists) so they are all in the same level.

A clinical pharmacist, although a doctorate + residency, is still a mid level provider and they do not do any first hard treatment on patients like a physician does.

a older post explaining clinical pharmacy, some good responses on this thread:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/please-assure-me-that-clinical-pharmacy-is-not-this.760292/

 

[delco714]

A pharmacist is a mid level provider (physician's assistant, nurse, and pharmacists) so they are all in the same level.

A clinical pharmacist, although a doctorate + residency, is still a mid level provider and they do not do any first hard treatment on patients like a physician does.

a older post explaining clinical pharmacy, some good responses on this thread:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/please-assure-me-that-clinical-pharmacy-is-not-this.760292/

You're name is ironic bc you're a joke. You have literally no idea what you're talking about. I'll let you try again before fixing it

 

[DrDrugs2012]

A pharmacist is a mid level provider (physician's assistant, nurse, and pharmacists) so they are all in the same level.

A clinical pharmacist, although a doctorate + residency, is still a mid level provider and they do not do any first hard treatment on patients like a physician does.

a older post explaining clinical pharmacy, some good responses on this thread:

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/please-assure-me-that-clinical-pharmacy-is-not-this.760292/

Wow.

Just no. Some more no. And then just take a heaping spoonfull of nuh-uh and sprinkle it on top.

Clinical pharmacists can absolutely make decisions. Because they are generally required to inform the physician, they do so... but in transplant, infectious disease, critical care... they make decisions frequently.

 

[DrNyvia]

Hello!

Fourth year pharmacy student on my rotations currently.

Inpatient clinical pharmacists ideally work in a decentralized pharmacy where they can actually walk around different parts of the hospital or get stationed in a unit outside of the central pharmacy (e.g. ICU, ED, Neuro, etc). They are a good point of contact for nurses and physicians if there are any questions about a patient's medication regimen or specific drug dosing questions. However, their job is no more or less important than a pharmacist that may be verifying all day in the central pharmacy. Both are important jobs, just different practices. As far as "authority," inpatient clinical pharmacists cannot prescribe, but they can recommend changes just like any other pharmacist should be capable of doing. Clinical pharmacists are also more involved in patient education in terms of warfarin and discharge counseling.

Ambulatory care clinical pharmacists are able to see patients directly on a one-on-one or group basis to manage their chronic medications and educate about their chronic conditions (e.g. diabetes). They can review/order labs and make recommendations based off of patient-specific factors and chart notes. They can also prescribe via a protocol (or without one if you are at a VA) and create their own follow-up times.

I'm probably missing a lot of aspects, but feel free to chip in to this information. This is what I've observed on my rotations. Hope this helps!