Pharmacists Are Like Superheroes: What is Clinical Pharmacy?

What is Clinical Pharmacy?

Just like superheroes, pharmacy comes in many different shapes and sizes. As we discovered in our previous blog, “Who is a Pharmacist?“, pharmacists are medication experts, deliver patient care, and are advocates. Frankly, they are everyday healthcare heroes.

Now it’s time to zoom in on one of the most dynamic areas of pharmacy practice: Clinical Pharmacy. 

So, what is Clinical Pharmacy?

Defined by the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, Clinical Pharmacy is a health science discipline where pharmacists provide direct patient care to optimize medication therapy, and promote health, wellness and disease prevention. In other words, these pharmacists don’t just work with medications – they work with people, side by side with doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.

Their mission? To make sure every patient gets the right medication, at the right dose, at the right time – for the best possible outcome. It takes superhero-level knowledge and teamwork to pull that off.

The Many Universes of Clinical Pharmacy

Clinical pharmacists can be found wherever patients receive care – hospitals, clinics, specialty practices and more. While their capes may look like white coats, their impact is anything but ordinary. Clinical pharmacy is often grouped into a few key areas:

• Ambulatory Care Pharmacy: Ambulatory care pharmacists work in outpatient settings, such as primary care offices and specialty clinics, including neurology, pulmonary and transplant, to name a few. You might not have even known pharmacists work in these settings! Let us tell you a little more about the impact they have on patients every day. They help manage chronic conditions like diabetes, asthma or high blood pressure, while also providing essential patient education and monitoring of high-risk medications and disease states to ensure therapy is both safe and effective. These pharmacists spend time with patients reviewing medications, adjusting treatment plans and answering questions that don’t always fit into a short doctor’s appointment. They help patients understand why they’re taking certain medications and how to take them correctly. Think of ambulatory care pharmacists as the superhero sidekicks to providers (like doctors), saving the day one patient at a time!
• Acute Care Pharmacy: Acute care pharmacists work in inpatient hospital settings, where decisions matter fast. Pharmacists work as clinical specialists in numerous acute care areas, including cardiology, neonatology, neurology, oncology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and more! Acute care pharmacists collaborate closely with physicians and nurses, and the broader medical team, to design and monitor medication plans. They help select the best treatment, adjust doses and ensure medications work together safely, providing critical expertise when it matters most. Before patients go home, acute care pharmacists also step in to provide critical education, so patients and caregivers know how to continue their treatment safely after discharge, helping reduce complications and preventing hospital readmissions. In high-stakes moments, acute care pharmacists are calm, precise and always ready for action. They play an essential role in a patient’s care team!
• Hospital Pharmacy: Last, but most certainly not least, are hospital pharmacists. When or if you have been in the hospital and have to take medication, where do you think it comes from? Hospital pharmacists play a more behind-the-scenes, but absolutely critical, role in patient care. They review medication orders to ensure accuracy, safety and appropriate dosing. They support doctors and nurses with medication-related questions and may prepare or dispense medications used throughout the hospital, including IV therapies. Their vigilance helps prevent medication errors and keeps patients safe during their hospital stay. Without hospital pharmacists, the hospital would not be able to properly care for its patients!

Meet Our Clinical Superheroes

The College of Pharmacy has its own dedicated team of Clinical Pharmacy heroes working in clinics and hospitals, caring for patients every day. Here are a few: 

• Amy VandenBerg, PharmD – Neurology & Psychiatry
• Emily Miretti, PharmD – Nephrology & Primary Care
• Kristen Ward, PharmD – Psychiatry & Pharmacogenetics
• Michael Kenes, PharmD – Critical Care
• Shawna Kraft, PharmD – Hematology & Oncology

Every day, they bring their own superpowers to the bedside and clinic – improving outcomes and changing lives one patient at a time.

Why Clinical Pharmacy Matters

Clinical pharmacists are problem-solvers, educators and advocates. They bring deep medication knowledge and specialty expertise into real-world patient care – improving outcomes, preventing harm and helping healthcare systems run more smoothly. And, as you have discovered, the career paths can match the area of patient care you are most passionate about.

At the end of the day, clinical pharmacy is about caring for patients. From listening and educating to protecting and empowering, they’re here to serve the greater good. Sounds a lot like a superhero job, doesn’t it?

Learn more about our PharmD program