AboutMary E Scott, RPh, CGP Expertise I am a certified geriatric pharmacist with over 23 years experience as a long-term care consultant to nursing homes. I also do community-based consulting on an individual basis. My facility-based monthly newsletter on pharmacy topics is read by nurses in over 200 long-term care facilities in 5 states.
Experience I received a BS in Pharmacy in 1980 with post-graduate work in public health. I have had a Consultant Pharmacist license since 1984.
Organizations American Society of Consultant Pharmacists .I received certification in geriatric pharmacy in 1998.
Question I'm a recent PharmD graduate, working in retail, with the intention of further pursuing consultant pharmacy upon settling financial needs. What I would like to know is, do I need specific training in order to effectively practice in the consulting aspect of pharmacy other than certifications through ASCP and CGP? Also, how do I go about finding work in consulting? Thank you.
Answer Hi,Moh!
I'm glad you are interested in consultant pharmacy; it is very rewarding. Before I was a consultant, I worked in retail pharmacy for 5 yrs. I got a part-time job working for a long term care pharmacy while I kept my full-time retail iob. (I worked 12hr days,so I had some days off during the week). I worked inside with them,and then they trained me as a consultant. I don't recommend trying to do it on your own. You really need a preceptor or mentor to go with and show you the charts, what to look for,etc.
The CGP is a great certification program to keep you clinically up-to-date. I would recommend that,and also to work retail for a few yrs,and maybe work in a hospital setting to gain experience with IV's, TPN,etc. Skilled nursing facilites are just like hospitals nowadays with the majority of residents post-surgical and rehab. They are on IV's, tube feedings,etc, stuff you don't have any experience with in retail. You could check with your state pharmacy association to put you in touch with long term care pharmacies in your area. Also, hospitals in your area may have long term care beds that their pharmacy dept is servicing. Hope this helps, and good luck! Mary
