"Careers In Chemistry"
Clinical Pharmacy
What is clinical pharmacy?
Activities of a clinical pharmacist:
Drug use studies and research
How does CHEMISTRY play a part in the occupation of a Clinical Pharmacist?
Composition of the drug
Therapeutic and adverse effects
Understand scientific literature
Compound medications such as IV bags, radioactive medications, creams, dialysis fluids, etc.
Calculate doses and check pH values
Aaron Chastain is a clinical pharmacist at NEA Hospital in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He graduated from U of A in 2002 and UAMS in 2006. Here are a few things I ask him about:
Why did you choose clinical pharmacy?
"I chose clinical pharmacy because I enjoy being involved in an acute care setting. In hospital pharmacy,
we work with physicians to help choose appropriate drug therapies, doses, and monitor the outcomes."
What are your responsibilities?
"We have a variety of responsibilities including checking all patient medication orders, allergies, making sterile IV products including chemotherapy, and providing
clinical information to physicians and nurses."
What role does chemistry play in your profession?
"We use chemistry on a DAILY basis. We calculate electrolyte concentrations and doses, and check pH values to ensure our solutions do not precipitate."
What do you feel is the most important part of your job?
"Our most important job is to review each patient’s orders to ensure their medication therapy is appropriate. We can make suggestions to better optimize treatment. We also recognize any medication dangers or errors that could cause harm to a patient."
References:
www.umflint.edu/departments/Chemistry/pharmacy/Careers.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clinical_pharmacy
http://www.accp.com/position/Clinpharmdefnfinal.pdf
http://www.escpweb.org/site/cms/contentViewArticle.asp?article=1712
Pictures:
http://pbl.unipv.it/beppe/chemistry.jpg
Page Prepared by: Robbyn Hanson
