The “What I Wish I Knew” series of articles is a service of CPNP’s Resident and New Practitioner Committee. Articles are intended to provide advice from experts for students, residents, and new practitioners. Articles are not intended to provide in-depth disease state or pharmacotherapy information nor replace any peer-reviewed educational materials. We hope you benefit from this “field guide” discussing approaches to unique problems and situations.
Practice environments for psychiatric pharmacists have existed for some time in the hospital setting. Traditionally this has been in the context of working with inpatient treatment teams. However, there have been increasing opportunities for psychiatric pharmacists to practice within hospital-based outpatient clinics, injection clinics, and emergency departments. There continues to be a great need for individuals well-versed in psychiatric pharmacy to contribute to the care of individuals in community environments, including involvement in both primary care and assertive community treatment (ACT) team settings. With notable shortages of mental health care providers, particularly in rural areas, there is a growing opportunity for pharmacists to support both primary care providers and psychiatric specialists.