Page 14 - Pharmacy careers guide

Job positions for pharmacists in hospital pharmacy
The positions listed are not all inclusive and the information for the job positions listed is a guide only and varies from hospital to hospital.
Clinical pharmacist
• Is a term used for all pharmacists working in hospitals
• Reviews medication charts in
hospital wards to ensure patients are administered the optimum dose of the most appropriate medications for their conditions
• Attempts to prevent potential side effects and interactions from polypharmacy
• Educates patients and other healthcare professionals to support the Quality Use of Medicine (QUM)
Clinical speciality areas
• Adult medicine
• Ambulatory care
• Antimicrobial stewardship*
• Cardiology
• Clinical trials*
Clinical specialties
ANTIMICRoBIAl STEWARDSHIP
• Aims to reduce unnecessary use of antimicrobial agents that are likely to cause harm or have the potential to stimulate resistant bacteria
• Manages pharmacotherapy for patients with infectious diseases through evidence-based research
• Coordinates with infectious disease physicians to manage antimicrobial prescribing and ensures patients receive optimal treatment
ClINICAl TRIAlS
• Monitors the safety profile of drugs undergoing clinical trials in the hospital
• Creates protocols for the management of adverse reactions
• Involved in the research of medicines on trial
• Community liaison* • Compounding*
• Critical care*
• Drug use evaluation • Education
• Emergency medicine* • Endocrinology
• Haematology
• Hospice
• Immunology
• Internal medicine
• Geriatrics
• Medication safety/pharmacovigilance* • Medicines distribution*
• Medicines information*
• Nephrology
• Neurology
• Nuclear/radiopharmacy*
• Nutrition support
• Oncology*
• Operating room
CoMMuNITy lIAISoN
• Ensures continual healthcare by coordinating pharmaceutical care plans
• Provides a link between hospital
and community care by facilitating communication with the patient, relevant pharmacies and members in the healthcare team
• Promotes QUM and the importance of medication management in minimising hospital admissions through community education programs
CoMPouNDING
• Manufactures extemporaneous products that may not be available from pharmaceutical companies
• Alters formulations and calculates appropriate dosages required by special populations groups
• Processes aseptic products and intravenous fluid solutions
• Makes skin preparation products
• Follows practice protocols in dispensing
• Outpatient*
• Paediatric
• Palliative care*
• Poison information*
• Sports medicine
• Psychopharmacy/mental health* • Transplant
• Veterinary
(*pharmacist specialties discussed below)
Pharmacists working in specialty areas have acquired unique knowledge and skills specific to the specialty area. To become
a specialist pharmacist in NSW, additional study and training partnered with at least 3 years of experience in the associated areas are required. There are opportunities to conduct research or complete further study at a registered training organisation or an accredited teaching institute.
CRITICAl CARE
• Provides advice on medication use based on medical history and interpretation of clinical evidence
• Focuses on optimising medication safety for patients susceptible to adverse effects or drug interactions
• Participates in a multidisciplinary team with other healthcare professionals to care for patients with a poor health profile; often in the intensive care unit or coronary care unit
DRuG uSE EvAluATIoN
• Monitors prescribing patterns and adheres to medical guidelines to improve the quality use of medicines
• Evaluates drug use by considering the cost-effectiveness for the healthcare facility
• Analyses results and presents findings to the relevant board of directors at meetings and conferences
14 Pharmacy careers guide I ©Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Ltd.