Professional and career development needs of clinical pharmacists in settings outside academia

Abstract

Clinical pharmacists practicing in academia have access to resources and pathways for professional development that clinical pharmacists practicing outside of academia may lack. With timely concerns of premature attrition and burnout in the clinical pharmacy profession, it is critical that employers and professional organizations help meet the professional development needs of clinical pharmacists practicing in outside of academia. Implementation of career ladders, creation of hybrid leadership-practice positions, achievement of operational excellence, cultivation of a positive culture, and development of optimal metrics may all help employers meet these needs. Professional organizations are called on to provide clinical pharmacists with a clear path for advancement within the organization to contribute to their ongoing professional development; this centers on the development of mentorship programs and opportunities to expand the professional portfolio of the clinical pharmacist practicing outside of academia. It is imperative that employers and professional organizations address the lack of existing career advancement and professional development opportunities to combat the premature attrition of clinical pharmacists from practice, improve the “life span” of the clinical pharmacist, and ultimately maintain the clinical pharmacy profession as a whole.