Pacific Pharmacist Career Pathways
Supported by the Office of Student Affairs

 

Psychiatric pharmacists  have specialized training in the drugs used to treat mental illnesses. They work with medical physicians, psychiatrists and other caregivers and they help improve outcomes and minimize side effects for psychiatric patients. 

 

Some pharmacists take active roles in different areas such as:

 

Clinical roles

The psychiatric pharmacist coordinates care for patients with mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and depression. Psychiatric pharmacists understand the interactions between antidepressants, antipsychotics and antipasmodics that the patient takes during the day and they can guide the physician in choosing products that won't cause adverse reactions in the patient. 

 

Research Roles

Psychiatric pharmacists also play a role in the design and testing of new therapeutic drugs, working for pharmaceutical companies or independent research laboratories. Psychiatric pharmacists have the necessary training and experience to suggest potential contra-indications or conflicts with new drugs, based on similar drugs of the same class or general type. When the new product moves to clinical testing, the pharmacist can play a crucial role in detecting and adjusting for potential side effects or adverse interactions with other medications. The pharmacist's insights are also useful in helping the research team determine the medication's overall efficacy compared to existing products.

 

Educational Roles

Like other pharmacists, psychiatric pharmacists spend much of their time educating others. In some cases, they must find creative ways to explain the use of their medications to mentally-ill patients. Often families and caregivers must also be coached in how the medications work, what effects can be expected, and how to know if the patient isn't taking the necessary drugs. Psychiatric pharmacists educate their peers and other practitioners through published papers and articles in industry magazines, and many serve as faculty at universities and other institutions. They might also educate the public through mental-health seminars, newspaper articles, websites and similar forms of outreach.

 

Training and Certification

Psychiatric pharmacists begin their careers the same way as other pharmacists, completing three to four years of undergraduate studies and then a four-year doctorate in pharmacy, or Pharm.D. However, most psychiatric pharmacists then go on to complete at least two additional years in specialized psychiatric residencies or fellowships. Some earn graduate degrees in the subject, with a Ph.D. being especially valuable in research or academia. The Board of Pharmacy Specialties will also consider candidates who have practiced psychiatric pharmacy for at least four years, in lieu of residency. Qualified candidates must pass a rigorous examination to be board-certified, and must maintain the certification through continuing education.