What Is a Managed Care Pharmacist and How to Become One
What Does a Managed Care Pharmacist Do?
The duties of a managed care pharmacist involve working to ensure that patients get adequate care and pharmacy service from a managed care organization. In this career, you may operate as a qualified clinical pharmacist whose responsibilities include dispensing medication and filling prescriptions written by a physician for a patient. You also monitor the overall operations of the facility. A managed care pharmacist may also educate and provide information to patients and assess pharmacy operations to ensure that the pharmacy is providing cost-effective services. You may negotiate with drug companies to get cost-effective medications and evaluate the effectiveness of newly-approved products.
How to Become a Managed Care Pharmacist
The minimum qualifications to become a managed care pharmacist include previous pharmacy experience, strong management skills, and a degree. You need to become a doctor of pharmacy (Pharm.D.) to qualify for this position. You also need a license to operate in the state in which you seek employment. You may wish to gain experience by undertaking an internship or residency after graduation. A managed care pharmacist needs a lot of experience, so you should plan to find a position in a standard pharmacy before advancing.
