Career as Clinical Pharmacist

Last Updated By Harleen Kaur on 23 Feb, 2022

How to Become a Clinical Pharmacist

About Clinical Pharmacist

Clinical Pharmacy is a branch of Health Sciences that deals with optimising medication therapy, providing patient care, promoting disease prevention and health. A professional in this field is called a Clinical Pharmacists. These professionals work in clinics, hospitals and other healthcare settings. Unlike other Pharmacists, more than dispensing prescriptions, Clinical Pharmacists are more involved in direct patient care. Their work may let them go on rounds in hospitals with a healthcare team or physicians. They conduct medicals tests, recommend medications, oversee the timing and dosage, and offer advice to their patients. 

Eligibility to become Clinical Pharmacist

If you wish to pursue a career as a Clinical Pharmacist, you must meet the eligibility criteria the field demands. To become a Clinical Pharmacist, you must have proper educational qualifications, as well as training and licencing. Here are the criteria that you must make sure to meet before stepping into this field. 

Educational Requirements to Become a Clinical Pharmacist

Provided below are the educational requirements to become a Clinical Pharmacist:

  • This career requires you to hold a Pharm.D (Doctor of Pharmacy) degree. It is a 3-6 years long degree course, the duration of which depends on your previous qualifications. 
  • It is important that your degree is accredited by the ACPE (Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education).

Training Requirements to Become a Clinical Pharmacist

Check out the training requirements to become a Clinical Pharmacist:

  • To pursue a career in an advanced position as a Clinical Pharmacist, you may be required to complete a residency of 1-2 years after getting your Pharm.D degree. 
  • If you manage to complete your 2-year residency, you will be receiving additional training in a speciality area like Geriatric Care or Internal Medicine. 

Skill Requirements to Become a Clinical Pharmacist 

Given below are the key skills required to become a Clinical Pharmacist:

  • Attention to details
  • Firm Science background
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Counsel patients effectively
  • Knowledge of the subject

Employment Sector/Industry for Clinical Pharmacist

As a Clinical Pharmacist, you can explore career options in:

  • Hospitals

  • Clinics

  • Laboratories

  • Drug Research and Development

  • Retail Sector

  • Pharmaceutical Companies

  • Healthcare Centres

  • Educational Institutes

  • Medical Underwriting

Responsibilities of a Clinical Pharmacist

The responsibilities of a Clinical Pharmacists include:

  • Prescribing medication

  • Recommending necessary over-the-counter drugs

  • Evaluating the unique needs of patients

  • Observing their patient's recovery

  • Ensuring that the drug is working properly

  • Making changes in case of any severe side effects or unexpected drug interactions

  • Counselling patients on the use of medication along with healthy food choices

  • Monitoring patients

Planning to choose Clinical Pharmacist as your career?

Pay Scale/Salary of Clinical Pharmacist

The salary of a Clinical Pharmacist in India depends on various factors. Your work experience, employer and geographic location are some of them. You can check out the table below to know the same. 

Salary LevelInitial SalaryMid-Level SalaryHighest Salary
Annual Salary INR 1,20,000  INR 3,50,000  INR 10,00,00  

NOTE: The figures mentioned in the table are courtesy of Payscale and are subject to change.  

Books & Study Material to Become Clinical Pharmacist

Some recommendations for Clinical Pharmacy prep books are mentioned below:

  • A Text-Book of Clinical Pharmacy Practice: Essential Concepts and Skills
  • Comprehensive Pharmacy Review for NAPLEX: Practice Exams, Cases, and Test Prep
  • Clinical Pharmacy Education, Practice and Research: Clinical Pharmacy, Drug Information, Pharmacovigilance, Pharmacoeconomics and Clinical Research
  • The APhA Complete Review for Pharmacy
  • Pediatric Oncologic Pharmacy: A Complete Guide to Practice
  • Encyclopedia of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Pharmacy
  • Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy
  • McGraw-Hill's NAPLEX Review Guide

Pros of becoming a Clinical Pharmacist

  • It is a flexible job where individuals can choose to work in a variety of settings.
  • In the current scenario, the demand for clinical pharmacists has increased which has opened up multiple job opportunities for aspirants.
  • Aspirants with apt skills, knowledge and talent can earn a good amount of money being a Clinical Pharmacist.

Cons of becoming a Clinical Pharmacist

  • The healthcare field runs 24x7 which means Clinical Pharmacists may have to work for long hours every day.
  • Customer service may lead to unpleasant situations and the career of a Clinical Pharmacists have little to no room for error.
  • There are a lot of interested individuals who are willing to build a career in healthcare and therefore aspirants may have to face a lot of competition in this industry. 

Do you think this is the right career choice for you?

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FAQs about Clinical Pharmacist

Can a clinical pharmacist prescribe drugs as a doctor?

Yes, Clinical pharmacists may be able to prescribe your drugs/medicines in the same way as your doctor does. The role of a Clinical pharmacist is to work together with pharmacists in other domains of the healthcare system such as the hospital or community pharmacy. A clinical pharmacist does not give you your drugs/medicines.

What is the difference between a pharmacist and a clinical pharmacist?

The main difference between Pharmacists and Clinical Pharmacists is that Pharmacists are drug experts whereas Clinical pharmacists take this knowledge and apply it to clinical scenarios. Another Difference is that Clinical pharmacists perform functions beyond fundamental dispensing this particularly involves optimization of medication selection, dosing, and monitoring.

What is the other term used for clinical pharmacy?

The other term used for Clinical Pharmacists is Ambulatory care pharmacy (BCACP) Critical care pharmacy (BCCCP) Nuclear pharmacy (BCNP)

How can one be a better Clinical Pharmacists?

An effective tip to be a better clinical pharmacist is to be proactive and able to problem-solve. The important skill of identifying a therapeutic issue concerning an individual patient/person, communicating that issue to the prescriber in a time, and providing well-informed recommendations is the main purpose of the clinical pharmacist.

What is the Practice for Clinical Pharmacy?

The process of applying the knowledge and skills of the pharmacist to improve the health of the people is called Pharmacy Practice. It includes hospital, clinical, and community pharmacy.

What are the roles and responsibilities of a clinical pharmacist?

Some of the roles and responsibilities of clinical pharmacists are as follows:

  • They develop clinical pharmacy programs ass per policies and regulations
  • Reviewing patient's records to determine the medication procedure/therapy.
  • Evaluating the patient’s present condition to make sure that all issues are being treated well.
  • Identify untreated health problems and refer patients to appropriate physicians/doctors.
  • Preparing effective medication plans which will minimize the adverse side-effects risks.

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