Critical care pharmacists use their extensive knowledge to review, interpret and adjust medication doses and identify potential drug interactions. Their involvement in patient care can lead to a 32 percent decrease in adverse drug events, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC.) Their role is more than just behind a pharmacy counter. They engage in care with patients, their families and work with nurses, physicians and other medical professionals to ensure the best team-based treatment plan for each patient. They aren’t just dispensers of medication; they are medication experts.
Critical Care Pharmacy is one of the more than 100 career options available to PharmDs, and Professor and Ty Kiser, PharmD, has dedicated more than 20 years to the specialty.
“Critical care is an opportunity to practice at the top of your PharmD degree. It's probably one of the oldest most establish critical roles in pharmacy. It's the most complex you'll see when it comes to medications, the number of medications and the types of medications. It allows you to use all of your knowledge.”
Working in the Medical Intensive Care Unit at the University of Colorado Hospital, Dr. Kiser says critical care pharmacy also involves critical thinking and problem solving in a fast-paced environment. “If you are willing to make a decision and then reevaluate that decision quickly and be okay with sometimes not getting it perfect, then I think critical care is a great space for you.”
There are multiple ways to connect with Dr. Kiser to learn more about his career in critical care pharmacy:
- April 21: Follow the @CUPharmacy Instagram account and submit your AMA questions to Dr. Kiser.
- April 22: Watch for Dr. Kiser's answers to your Instagram Questions.
- April 24: Engage with Dr. Kiser in the virtual Mile High Meetup webinar to learn more about his pharmacy career and what makes CU Pharmacy such a great place
Critical Care Pharmacy is just one of the specialties that you can pursue with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. Learn more about a career in pharmacy and connect with Dr. Kiser below.