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Carolanne Wartman, PharmD, BCPS, BCPP (she/her) discussing asking, advocating, and creating inclusive environments for LGBTQIA+ patients.

Kaitlyn Q. Weslosky, PharmD, BCPP discusses why we overcommit, how to avoid overcommitment, and how to manage existing commitments in this What I Wish I Knew article. #WIWIK #residents #newpractitioners #psychpharmacy

Julie Thiel, BS Pharm, PharmD shares questions to ask before accepting a job and what to do if you discover the job is not a culture fit.

Ashley Maister, BS, PharmD, BCPP provides insights on the layered learning model, a way to differentiate instruction to accommodate for different skills and abilities.

"As pharmacists, we have opportunities every day to be an advocate for our patients and a champion for our profession." Learn how Dr. Tanya Fabian is advocating for psychiatric pharmacists! #WIWIK #psychpharmacy #AAPP #advocacy #yourvoicematters

"MSLs provide an outstanding resource for the latest information on a pharmaceutical company’s scientific publications in journals and poster presentations." Read more about this mutually beneficial relationship! #WIWIK #psychpharmacy #AAPP

"Understanding the differences [of laws and interpretation of the laws] allows us to not only better serve our patients but also create avenues for advocacy." #WIWIK

"The key to having a positive volunteer experience is selecting an area that you are passionate about so that you...have the most enjoyable and impactful experience." #WIWIK

"I was highly motivated to obtain my DEA to improve the efficiency of my workflow and practice with greater independence..." #WIWIK

Psychiatric pharmacists can use their expertise in other industries, including continuing medical education (CME)! Learn more from Dr. Amber Lemons.

Judy Curtis, Pharm.D., BCPP, FASHP shares opportunities for psychiatric pharmacists in industry and discusses her medical science liaison career.

There is a shortage of psychiatric pharmacy providers, and patients have unmet needs that can be filled by these individuals. AAPP's position paper describes the expertise and skills of psychiatric pharmacists and the associated positive outcomes for patients with these disorders. This paper also outlines barriers to the provision of services by psychiatric pharmacists and presents action items aimed at effecting change.

The board of pharmacy specialties identifies pharmacists who are qualified for advanced practice based on rigorous standards. Learn more about the path to becoming a board certified psychiatric pharmacist (BCPP).

Psychiatric pharmacists can be effective members of the healthcare team because they treat the whole patient and understand medications beyond the scope of mental illness. Watch this video and learn more about the psychiatric pharmacy specialty!

Learn the workings of a career in academia from Shari Allen, Pharm.D., BCPP!

Pharmacists play a variety of roles in academia: as administrators (e.g., deans, department chairs, etc.), educators, clinical practitioners, and researchers. Often a faculty member plays more than one role, depending on their track (non-tenure versus tenure) and department (pharmaceutical sciences versus pharmacy practice).

Psychiatric clinical pharmacists are pivotal in the care of patients with substance use disorders to advocate for and initiate medications for alcohol use disorder (MAUD) and opioid use disorder (MOUD). Pharmacists are uniquely positioned to counsel patients on MAUD/MOUD, provide naloxone on discharge, and further facilitate transitions of care by ensuring affordability of these medications and confirming continuity via outpatient follow up.

Psychiatric pharmacists can function as medical affairs professionals assisting with analyzing and educating providers on clinical data and development of insights that can affect the medical strategy to optimize medications in a company’s psychiatric pipeline.

Integrating mental health clinicians into primary care expands access to quality mental health care. In this setting, psychiatric pharmacists provide brief psychotropic medication management in collaboration with the primary care physician.

At VA Healthcare Systems, psychiatric pharmacists manage medications for military Veterans in outpatient clinics. Under a broad scope of practice (including controlled substance prescribing), psychiatric pharmacists meet one-on-one with Veterans to design personalized treatment plans that optimize symptom control while minimizing side effects.

Psychiatric clinical pharmacists are integrated in a multidisciplinary model of care to provide expertise on psychotropic medications and optimize pharmacotherapy in a variety of mental health conditions. By leading medication education groups, pharmacists can connect with their patients and discuss important medication pearls to improve adherence and decrease adverse events.

Psychiatric pharmacists can be involved in a number of clinical services involving therapy modification that is stated within a collaborative practice agreement with a physician. This may include initiating/monitoring/continuing/adjusting medications, injection services, device management, side effect management, and laboratory follow-up. These models can align incentives for patients, providers and payors that improve outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

Pharmacists practice forensic pharmacy when they care for patients with psychiatric diagnoses who have also been convicted or charged with a crime. The practice settings often include county jails, or state/federal prisons/hospitals or correctional facilities.