Long Term Care Pharmacist Responsibilities

Long Term Care (LTC) Pharmacist Responsibilities

• Medication Management: Pharmacists in LTC can provide support and expertise regarding prescriptions and medication regimens for residents.
• Prescribing Authority: LTC pharmacists are authorized to prescribe medications.
• Medication Access: Pharmacists can access medications for short-term rehabilitation stays, assisted living, and long-term residents.
• Medication Review and Optimization: Pharmacists proactively review medication administration practices, patient charts, and storage protocols, identifying opportunities for medication optimization.
• Adverse Drug Reaction Detection: Pharmacists monitor residents for adverse drug reactions and drug interactions, collaborating with medical providers on potential interventions.
• Medication Education: Pharmacists educate facility staff on medication-related matters to improve staff competence and communication.
• Documentation: Pharmacists maintain clear and thorough documentation throughout their activities, ensuring accurate records are available for all relevant parties.
• Communication Challenges: LTC pharmacists face potential communication challenges due to the need for written communication and asynchronous collaboration with providers.
• Limited Patient Interaction: The nature of LTC settings may result in limited direct interaction with patients compared to other pharmacy settings.

Pros and Cons

• Pros: Pharmacists can provide flexible aging support, work independently and collaboratively with teams, and benefit from clear legal guidelines within LTC settings.
• Cons: LTC pharmacists may experience significant travel time, dependence on facility staff for follow-up, and challenges with effectively communicating recommendations.