Definition
Senior clinical pharmacists counsel patients. They educate prescribers and caregivers about their patient’s medications. They also review patients’ medication regimens. A few more duties involve overlooking present in-service educational programs and overseeing medication distribution services. Let’s look at the other responsibilities that a senior clinical pharmacist has while on duty.
Responsibilities of a Clinical Pharmacist
A clinical pharmacist must be able to work with extreme efficiency. An employee in any field is required to exhibit certain characteristics that would make the working environment pleasant for them and their colleagues. This is known as a soft skill. Soft skills at any workplace include things such as friendly behavior, being highly motivated, having good attention to detail, and respect towards other co-workers.
However, the core responsibilities are also mandatory to be fulfilled, but any negligence in fulfilling these soft skills and responsibilities can also have a heavy impact on the job. Senior clinical pharmacists are experienced with the use of medicines. They may perform various tasks, such as:
- Examining patient’s therapy and providing accurate medications.
- Guide the patients about the best use of their medications for quick recovery.
- Checking the patient’s health condition regularly. They can suggest changes in the medications if there is no progress at all.
- Advising patients about the best way to take medications.
- Assisting indirect care of patients in hospitals and surgeries.
- Setting up a standard for the upcoming experts in the field.
Education & Training
Let’s discuss common pharmacist education requirements for undergraduate and graduate students. There is a well-documented list of qualifications you would require to become a clinical pharmacist, such as:
- A 4-year educational program in any pharmaceutical subjects such as biology or medicinal chemistry.
- A pharmacy program after completing three years of undergraduate coursework.
- A Standard Pharmacy Test such as the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT).
- A doctoral degree (PHARM D) from an accredited Institute by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education to become a Senior Clinical Pharmacist.
- An Internship service period is often specified by the state you are practicing in.
Licensing and Certifications
There are certain licensing rules and regulations. You must attain them before starting your work as a Senior Clinical Pharmacist. Basic requirements include:
- Specified hours experience in the relevant industry.
- 2 Exams are a mandatory requirement before becoming a Senior Clinical Pharmacist.
- Continue pharmacy education professional development as part of licensure.
Salary
On average, a senior clinical pharmacist makes about $135,000 to $186,000 per year. This means that the average monthly salary of a senior clinical pharmacist is about $10,000 to $12,000. This high salary makes it one of the best jobs.
Rise of the Industry
Clinical pharmacists now often work as part of a multidisciplinary team — including physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals — to optimize the use of medications for the best patient outcomes. Now, with the rise of COVID and the global pandemic, the demand for experts such as senior clinical pharmacists has increased a significant amount. Therefore, anyone who is an expert in this field can earn some good money while making a difference.
Employment
If you are looking for a career in this amazing field, you must prepare to study hard and work even harder. The role of a clinical pharmacist is demanding but rewarding, too. Consider job search platforms in the medical field, such as Healthcareers.com, indeed.com, and LinkedIn. But, as always, if you want the comfort of letting us do the job for you, then you can check out our website where we have the best offers available. Click here to see the latest clinical pharmacist jobs.
