Lifelong learning is the cornerstone of the pharmacy profession. There are a variety of exciting opportunities for pharmacists to advance their professional careers. Becoming a consultant pharmacist is one option. Questions that may come to mind include: How does it differ from a traditional pharmacist role? or How do I maintain my consultant license? Whether you are interested in learning more about consultant pharmacist career opportunities or how to maintain your license, we’ve got you covered. We have created a guide to help get you started on your career path towards becoming a consultant pharmacist. Let’s dive into the nuts and bolts of a Florida consultant pharmacist.
MY EXPERIENCE AS A CONSULTANT PHARMACIST
After earning my consultant pharmacist license, I became the advisor of the student chapter of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP). This was a great opportunity to educate pharmacy students about consultant pharmacist career opportunities and make a positive impact on the community. It was a rewarding experience while I was working in academia and managing a drug information center. Additionally, I practiced in ambulatory care performing medication therapy management (MTM) and conducted a variety of health screenings.
We provided medication safety presentations at senior centers and participated in poison prevention community outreach programs. Additionally, we collaborated with the local police department to provide drug disposal programs throughout South Florida. I am currently planning a program for older adults about navigating over-the-counter medication safety at my local library. Everyone’s consultant pharmacist path is unique but with a common goal of improving patient health outcomes.
WHAT IS A CONSULTANT PHARMACIST? CONSULTANT PHARMACIST 101
To learn more about how consultant pharmacists got started, we will go back in time to the pharmacist George F. Archambault, who was known as the “father of consultant pharmacy.” He was actually the first person to create the title of consultant pharmacist. Archambault became a pharmacist in the 1930s and a charter member of ASCP in 1970.
To become licensed as a consultant pharmacist in Florida, you must have an active pharmacist license that is in good standing. While many of the services traditional and consultant pharmacists provide overlap, there are a variety of distinctions. Consultant pharmacists are not typically involved in the medication dispensing process. Additionally, consultant pharmacists are commonly referred to as senior care pharmacists since they are typically involved in the care of older adults. Consultant pharmacists focus on a variety of clinical services such as:
- Performing medication chart reviews
- Developing policies and procedures for drug disposal
- Conducting staff in-services about MTM
- Performing clinical interventions
- Providing education to residents and family members about their drug regimens
- Ensuring facilities are up to date on laws and regulations
- Administering immunizations
- Ordering and monitoring laboratory tests
- Monitoring appropriate antibiotic use
- Evaluating medications for fall risk
- Participating in deprescribing for medications that are inappropriate or no longer necessary
COMMON PRACTICE SETTINGS FOR CONSULTANT PHARMACISTS
Being a consultant pharmacist opens doors for opportunities at unique practice settings. Many consultant pharmacy jobs are also set up in a hybrid format where you have the flexibility of working from home for part of the week. As part of your practice as a consultant pharmacist in Florida, you must develop a written collaborative practice agreement (CPA) with the facility medical director or clinician that is authorized to prescribe in Florida. Consultant pharmacists practice in a variety of different settings including:
- Long-term care (LTC) facilities
- Assisted living facilities
- Adult day service centers
- Substance abuse treatment facilities
- Ambulatory care facilities
- Surgical centers
- Dialysis centers
- Hospitals
- Prisons
- Hospice
- Residential homes
- Senior centers
- Surgical centers
STEPS TO GET LICENSED AS A FLORIDA CONSULTANT PHARMACIST
Step 1: Make sure you have an active Florida pharmacist license that is in good standing. If you are a recent pharmacy graduate, make sure to get your general pharmacist license first before applying for your Florida consultant license.
Step 2: Complete a Florida Board-approved consultant pharmacist course that is at least 20 hours. The course includes a variety of topics such as laws and regulations, policies and procedures, collaborative practice agreements, and drug interaction assessments. You must also receive a passing score on the test at the end of the program. Nova Southeastern University Barry and Judy Silverman College of Pharmacy and University of Florida College of Pharmacy are examples of Board-approved programs to obtain your Florida consultant license.
Step 3: Now you are ready to apply to the Florida Board of Pharmacy to receive your consultant pharmacist license. You can apply online, and submit your certificate of completion and fee.
THE NUTS AND BOLTS OF MAINTAINING YOUR FLORIDA CONSULTANT LICENSE
Congratulations on becoming a consultant pharmacist! You did the hard part, and now you just need to maintain your license. One of my top tips is to make sure you keep up with your continuing education (CE) credits because licensure renewal can sneak up on you. Keep in mind that you renew your consultant license in even years. But your general license is renewed in odd years.
Like your general license, your consultant license is also renewed every two years. You can also renew online typically within 90 days before your consultant license expires. The next renewal is by December 31, 2026. You will need 24 CE credits for each consultant pharmacist renewal cycle that are Board-approved. The one exception is your first consultant pharmacist renewal. Here is the breakdown:
First renewal 12 months or more after initial licensure date: You will need 12 CE credits.
First renewal less than 12 months after initial licensure date: You do not need any CE credits.
You can search for Florida Board-approved consultant CE credits through CE Broker. Additionally, CE Broker keeps track of your consultant pharmacist CE credits. Before you renew your consultant pharmacist, log into your account to make sure you have all your CE credits completed. PharmCon FreeCE offers Board-approved CE courses that you can use towards your Florida consultant license renewal, including on-demand courses like Osteoporosis in Older Adults and Pain Management in Older Adults.
YOUR PATH TO BECOMING A FLORIDA CONSULTANT PHARMACIST
Earning your Florida consultant pharmacist license is a great way to enhance your clinical skills, and practice at the top of your license. From LTC to substance abuse treatment facilities, consultant pharmacists practice in a variety of innovative settings. If you are ready to take the journey, get started today by taking a Florida Board-approved consultant pharmacist course.
Sources:
Rule 64B16-26.300. https://flrules.org/gateway/RuleNo.asp?id=64B16-26.300
APhA Foundation George F. Archambault. https://www.aphafoundation.org/about-scholarships/george-f.-archambault-scholarship
ASCP Become a senior care pharmacist. https://www.ascp.com/page/becomeascp
Florida statutes 465.0125. https://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0400-0499/0465/Sections/0465.0125.html
Florida Board of Pharmacy: License-consultant pharmacist. https://floridaspharmacy.gov/pharmacist/
Rule 64B16-26.301. https://flrules.org/gateway/RuleNo.asp?title=PHARMACISTS%20LICENSURE&ID=64B16-26.301
NSU Florida Barry and Judy Silverman College of Pharmacy Continuing pharmacy education. https://pharmacy.nova.edu/ce/index.html
University of Florida continuing pharmacy education: Consultant pharmacist certificate program for initial licensure. https://ufcpe.cloud-cme.com/course/courseoverview?P=0&EID=110
MQA online services. https://mqa-vo.doh.state.fl.us/datamart/voservicesportal
Rule 64B16-26.103. https://flrules.org/gateway/RuleNo.asp?title=PHARMACISTS%20LICENSURE&ID=64B16-26.103
PharmCon freeCE: Florida consultant pharmacist CE. https://www.freece.com/florida-consultant-pharmacist-ce/
