Medical Missions

I once asked a pharmacist that goes on medical missions if there was a job for her when she goes.  She said,

                     "Yeah, the most important job..... handling the meds." 

Now, I am so confused by that.  Countries that need medical missions don't have boards of pharmacy, and  they don't care which team member handles the meds, they just appreciate receiving the help. The one mission trip that I had the pleasure of being a part of had a medical branch and a church branch doing Bible School and giving supplies.  I don't remember a pharmacist on the medical branch (I was in school and was with the church), and I know they handed out meds. 

What I was asking her was, do they use her medical knowledge, or at least her drug knowledge.  I'm sure they would refer to her to see which Sulfonylurea was in stock or which ACE-inhibitor they had, but I wanted to know if we could be of use - medically (as I know God can use anyone for any purpose).  With Hurricane Irene hitting the Northeast, and Tropical Storm Jose brewing, I would like to think that pharmacists can do something other than supply system management, not that I think we are better than Doctors, but I think we are a valuable asset.  Our training and the overall desire of pharmacists to make a difference drive me to ask these questions. 

Can our profession develop into a pharmacist practitioner of sorts?  I know that some states allow pharmacists to prescribe certain medications, and most states allow collaborations between doctors an pharmacists to have standing orders (e.g. flu shots), but how far can we go?  I am trying to pose these questions in a positive light rather than in a whiny "woe is me" tone.  I have to admit that when I started pharmacy school, I just wanted to help my family and those close to me with the fruits that this profession bears.  Not that I didn't think of the little white haired ladies or the weather talking old men that we interact with so often, but my family was my primary concern.  Now I feel like I have a calling to do more.

Should I go to Seminary?  Should I go to medical school?  Should I stay where I am and see what kind of positive things God can do with a profession that has already given me such grief?  I'm not sure yet, but I will be praying and taking steps find out.

Hospital pharmacy

Is hospital pharmacy any better? I recently interviewed for a hospital pharmacy job and it seemed as though there are similar issues that the pharmacists have with their jobs. Now I know all shift work will have it's ups and downs, but will hospital pharmacy be any better than than community? I guess I'll find out---- hopefully. Let me know if you have any stories or experiences that will help me with my decision to change my career path.

Merry Christmas!

The truth

You know. No matter how angry I get, no matter how cynical I can be.... There is nothing compared to the Good Lord in the world. No matter how we perceive him, and now matter how He chooses to reveal Himsel, there is just nothing like him in this world. Put that in your record books. know what I'm saying?

Update on Techs

I was looking around the "blogosphere" and noticed a really good blog about requirements to be a technician in California.  Read it here on the Angry Pharmacist's site.

First things first... Seek wise counsel

  Has anyone out there had any success with MTM or any other clinical practice?  Are there any tips or tricks to get started?  There is one good article that outlines the process to get started.  The main question is, how do you get paid?  From what I can tell, I need to get my NPI number, so that I can start billing. Then I need to contract with the insurance providers in my area to become a provider for their patients.  From what I can tell, though, these companies don't have very many eligible patients to keep a practice going. 

  Does this mean that I need to get hooked up with a nursing home?  Do I need to complete a residency, or do I need to get some certification? Like CDE or Geriatrics certification?  I don't know. I'm thinking out loud I guess.  I think there are some pay for service opportunities out there, and possibly an immunization niche, but can we make this happen in a way that will sustain our livelihood?  I guess we will find out.  Is anyone else interested?  If so I will keep you informed.  Please give me suggestions as I go along, and ask questions if you think of anything. 

Long hours

Is anyone else out there required to work 14 hours a day with no relief? I will have my third 14 hour shift this week. How do they expect me to accurately dispense medications and care anything about customer service when I have to listen to everyone's sob story about their pain meds for 14 hours straight, multiple times a week? How does the board expect the drugs to be monitored all of those hours, when there is no one to relieve me to at least use the restroom? I mean do they really expect me not to drop duece in a whole day? Sometimes I need to do that like three times a day. Am I the only one?