CLINICAL PHARMACIST POSITION IN A GERIATRIC AMBULATORY CARE CLINIC Kerry Kelly, RPh, FASCP Overlake Senior Health Center Bellevue, WA

Senior Health Center Primary care clinic Serving Medicare patients Living independently and in facilities Largest age band is 70-79 (46%) Team approach MDs, RN, social worker, pharmacist

Practice Setting Small busy clinic associated with a hospital system All employees are team members Daily routine Office

Pharmacist Role Direct patient care Refill authorization per protocol Anticoagulation and hypertension management Refill authorization per protocol Drug information and education Maintain medication stock Precept students and residents

Working with the Elderly Good communication is key Listen!! Understand any barriers to communicating Knowing the patient is the best way to provide high quality care One small change at a time when it comes to medication therapy

Rewards Build relationships with co-workers and patients Geriatrics is a great area to make a difference to patients Wonderful learning environment Ability for growth and new challenges

Challenges Complex patient population Balancing workload with daily schedule Financial considerations Learning without directly working with other pharmacists

Questions