How to become a clinical pharmacist

Is becoming a clinical pharmacist right for me?

The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:

Overview
What do clinical pharmacists do?

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How to become a Clinical Pharmacist

The following pathway equips aspiring clinical pharmacists with the knowledge and clinical expertise needed to manage complex medication therapies safely and effectively:

Complete Prerequisite Education
Finish high school with strong grades in science and math. Take pre-pharmacy courses at a college or university – subjects commonly include biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy, physiology, and mathematics. The number of credits of transferable postsecondary coursework, specific prerequisite courses, and the minimum overall average on credits may vary from program to program.

Earn a Pharmacy Degree
Enroll in an accredited Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program, which typically takes four years to complete. In some countries (like the UK, Australia, or parts of Europe), this may be a Bachelor or Master of Pharmacy (BPharm or MPharm).

The PharmD curriculum covers pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, therapeutics, patient care, and pharmacy law.

Gain Clinical Experience
In addition to classroom instruction, PharmD programs have a practical component, during which students complete internships or clinical placements/rotations. Prospective clinical pharmacists should seek hands-on experience in settings such as hospitals, outpatient clinics, or private healthcare systems and networks.

Pass Licensing Exams
In most countries, you must pass national or regional licensing exams.

  • US – Pass the NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination) and a state-specific law exam (often the MPJE – Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination).
  • Canada – Pass the PEBC (Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada) exams.
  • UK – Complete a pre-registration training year and pass the GPhC (General Pharmaceutical Council) registration assessment.

Register with the Appropriate Regulatory Body
Apply for licensure or registration with the national or regional pharmacy board in your country or state/province.

Complete a Residency (Optional but Recommended)
Consider completing a Postgraduate Year One (PGY1) pharmacy residency followed by a PGY2 residency focused on clinical pharmacy.

Pursue Optional Certifications
Clinical pharmacists can enhance their skills and expand their scope of practice through certifications in a variety of domains:

  • Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) Certifications – BPS was established in 1976 as an autonomous division of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA). The mission of the Board is to improve patient care and increase awareness of the need for BPS Board Certified Pharmacists. These are the fifteen specialty certifications administered by BPS: Ambulatory Care Pharmacy, Cardiology, Compound Sterile Preparations Pharmacy, Critical Care Pharmacy, Emergency Medicine Pharmacy, Geriatric Pharmacy, Infectious Disease Pharmacy, Nuclear Pharmacy, Nutrition Support Pharmacy, Oncology Pharmacy, Pain Management Pharmacy, Pediatric Pharmacy, Pharmacotherapy, Psychiatric Pharmacy, Solid Organ Transplantation Pharmacy.
  • American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Professional Certificates – ASHP, one of the largest organizations for hospital and health-system pharmacists, primarily in the United States, awards certificates in Pharmacokinetics, Basics of Oncology in Pharmacy, Pharmacy Leadership: Beyond the Basics for Advancing Managers, Pharmacy Leadership: Management Basics, Medication Safety, Perioperative Pharmacy Services, Medical Writing, Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Pharmacy, Investigative Drug Service, Research Skills, Drug Diversion, Basics in Cardiology Pharmacy, Weight Management, Emergency Medicine, Specialty Pharmacy, Pharmacy Informatics, Nutrition Support, Quality Improvement for Pharmacy, Teaching, Clinical Pharmacy Basics, Fundamental Pharmacy Practice Skills for Acute Care Settings, Pharmacy Accreditation and Regulatory Compliance, Pharmacogenomics, Pain Management, Anticoagulation, Basics of Data Analytics, Billing and Reimbursement for Patient Care Clinical Services, Diabetes Management, Pediatrics, Compounded Sterile Preparations, Medication History-Taking, Pharmacy Revenue Cycle Management, Wellbeing and Resilience, Critical Care.
  • Certified Medication Safety Professional (CMSP) – The Medication Safety Training Program, accredited by the American Institute for Medical Sciences and Management (AIMSM), is a specialized course concentrating on improving medication safety and reducing medication errors.
  • Medication Therapy Management (MTM) Certification – MTM training focuses on optimizing medication use and improving patient outcomes through comprehensive medication reviews. In the US it is primarily offered through the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and specific programs accredited by them. Additionally, individual pharmacists or other healthcare professionals may obtain MTM certification through various professional organizations and institutions.
  • Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES) – This certification, administered by the Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education, equips pharmacists to help patients manage their condition effectively.
  • Immunization Certification – Various government boards and pharma schools offer immunization administration training, certifying pharmacists to administer vaccines like flu shots, COVID-19 vaccines, and travel immunizations.

Continuing Education
Continuous professional development (CPD) is often required to maintain licensure and stay up to date with new drug therapies and evolving clinical guidelines.

Professional Organizations
In addition to the certifying bodies referenced above in the Certifications section, the following organizations also help clinical pharmacists stay updated on best practices, influence healthcare policy, and connect with peers:

  • American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) – ACCP is a leading organization focused specifically on advancing clinical pharmacy practice and research.
  • American Pharmacists Association (APhA) – This is the largest association of pharmacists in the US, offering resources and training programs.
  • Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) – This association represents pharmacists across Canada and provides professional development and policy support.
  • Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists (CSHP) – CSHP focuses on advancing hospital pharmacy practice in Canada.
  • Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) – This is the professional body for pharmacists in Great Britain, supporting all areas of pharmacy practice including clinical pharmacy.
  • European Association of Hospital Pharmacists (EAHP) – EAHP represents hospital pharmacists across Europe, promoting best practices and professional development.
  • Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia (SHPA) – SHPA provides support, training, and advocacy for hospital pharmacists in Australia.
  • International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) – This is a global organization that supports pharmacists worldwide.
  • Specialty Groups – Organizations such as the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) and the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) are examples of such groups.