Life After Pharmacy School By: Rizwan Khaliq Pharmacy is an ever-evolving profession. In order to stay abreast to the rapid changes, intense focus on the latest developments is necessary. I made a goal upon my graduation from pharmacy school in 2016 to enter a niche of pharmacy that piqued my specific interest of practicing pharmacy within the health insurance industry so I can assist with improving patient health outcomes while helping to manage the soaring costs of healthcare. The healthcare system within the United States is quite complex so I decided to put my best foot forward and applied for residency programs through the rigorous online application process via American Society of Health-System Pharmacists(ASHP) last year. The decision to apply was a good one as I landed a position as in a PGY-1 Managed Care Residency program at Health First Health Plans(HFHP) in Melbourne, Florida. My residency training focuses on the practice of pharmacy in the managed and ambulatory care settings. The decision to do a residency is a difficult one for recent graduates due to high student loans and the drastic cut in salary for the year. I feel it was the correct decision for me as I am a firm believer in the need to maximize education and training opportunities in order to lead to a great payoff in the long run with respect to both financial rewards and personal satisfaction. Being trained in a residency program allows for one to develop skills in time management, honing of clinical expertise, and the gaining proficiency in the niche of the chosen residency program. The average amount of hours dedicated during my residency period is approximately 65-70 hours each week. It has been strenuous but quite worth it. During my nearly year-long training thus far, I have gained a solid grasp on concepts including that of prior authorizations, quality measures, and the impact of direct patient care in the ambulatory care setting.
24 pharmacy edge
A process that I have been intricately involved in as a longitudinal responsibility is prior authorizations. This process is one of interest for several sectors in the healthcare system. Sectors involved include that of community pharmacies, physician offices, and the health insurance company. The aforementioned list is not an all-inclusive list of those who have a role within prior authorizations. The portion of this process that is my responsibility is with that of clinical reviewer. I review the request received electronically and ensure that