CLINICAL PHARMACIST POSITION IN A GERIATRIC AMBULATORY CARE CLINIC

Kerry Kelly, RPh, FASCPOverlake Senior Health CenterBellevue, WA

Senior Health Center

Primary care clinic Serving Medicare patients

Living independently and in facilities Largest age band is 70-79 (46%)

Team approach MDs, RN, social worker, pharmacist

Practice Setting

Small busy clinic associated with a hospital system

All employees are team members Daily routine Office

Pharmacist Role

Direct patient care Anticoagulation and hypertension

management Refill authorization per protocol Drug information and education Maintain medication stock Precept students and residents

Working with the Elderly

Good communication is key Listen!! Understand any barriers to

communicating Knowing the patient is the best way

to provide high quality care One small change at a time when it

comes to medication therapy

Rewards

Build relationships with co-workers and patients

Geriatrics is a great area to make a difference to patients

Wonderful learning environment Ability for growth and new

challenges

Challenges

Complex patient population Balancing workload with daily

schedule Financial considerations Learning without directly working

with other pharmacists

Questions