Jenny Bongartz, PharmD, MPH, BCPS
The Indian Health Service (IHS), an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services, provides comprehensive health care to around 2.8 million American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) across 37 states belonging to 574 federally recognized tribes. The federal government established a special relationship with these tribes in 1787 to provide health services and raise their overall health status to the highest level.1 The IHS strives for maximum tribal involvement in meeting the health needs of AI/AN, who may live on or near reservations and in rural communities. AI/AN have long experienced health disparities related to chronic conditions and mental health. Disease burden and lower life expectancy disproportionately affect more AI/AN than other groups in the U.S.2,3 The IHS provides critical services for underserved patients with a large focus on health promotion and disease prevention. Community integration and outreach are an essential part of improving access to healthcare and addressing barriers and challenges.
Pharmacists working for the IHS are able to fully apply their knowledge and clinical skills in unique settings across a wide variety of services in outpatient, ambulatory care, and acute care. IHS pharmacists have led the way in innovation and expansion of services through medication counseling, collaborative practice agreements, and integration into the health care team. IHS pharmacists deliver exceptional patient care while building cultural competence and connecting to a diverse community. Pharmacists in collaboration with other health care professionals and community members, provide education, direct patient care, and support through various community events. They have the opportunity to give public presentations on medication safety, administer immunizations out in the community, and participate in local wellness activities like running events. Additionally, IHS pharmacists work at the national level to advance initiatives to address high-priority public health issues, such as opioid stewardship and treatment and prevention of diabetes.
The IHS provides many valuable and rewarding opportunities for student pharmacists. Most Colleges of Pharmacy have established agreements with different IHS facilities to accept students completing Introductory and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences. During these experiences, students not only gain experience in direct patient care, but gain an understanding of public health and community outreach. Students can participate in large community immunization events by administering immunizations or provide education alongside public health nurses. Students can also participate in community health fairs and perform screenings or provide education about what services pharmacists offer. These experiences emphasize the impact of social determinants of health and the development of cultural competence. For example, some patients do not have reliable transportation, or may have limited health literacy.
The Rural Health Professions Program (RHPP) was created to address the shortage of health care professionals in rural areas in the state of Arizona. At the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy, students have the option to complete a certificate in the RHPP. This program promotes exposure to rural communities in diverse regions of Arizona while emphasizing public health concepts on health disparities and community health assessment. Introductory and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences are also completed in rural locations, which include IHS facilities.
Additionally, the IHS offers PGY-1 and PGY-2 Pharmacy Residencies at several different facilities across the nation. Any interested students should reach out to their Experiential Coordinators or contact local IHS facilities to set up a site visit if possible.
The IHS has ample opportunities for anyone in any stage of their pharmacy career, from students just starting to explore their career options to experienced pharmacists looking for a clinical or supervisory position in a unique setting. For more information about IHS pharmacy, please visit https://www.ihs.gov/pharmacy/.