Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences at UH St. John Medical Center

Preceptor:
Kacie Cassell-Mahin, PharmD, BCEMP

The Critical Care service at UH St. John Medical Center is comprised of one medical team with an average patient load of 10-14 patients. The critical care team includes an attending physician, residents, interns, clinical pharmacy specialist and pharmacy trainees (residents and/or students), advance practice practitioners, bedside nurses and a dietician. During the rotation, emphasis will be placed on drug therapy as it relates to or is influenced by conditions unique to the critical care setting (e.g. sepsis, ARDS, pneumonia, DKA, sedation, analgesia, mechanical ventilation, liver/kidney failure etc.). Students will be required to attend daily rounds, follow assigned patients and regularly meet with preceptor to discuss assigned topics and patients. One formal presentation is also required. Rotational hours are 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. and may vary based on daily activities.

Preceptors:
Dave Shifrin, PharmD, BCPS
Kaitlyn Schumacher, PharmD, BCPS

The Emergency Medicine rotation at UH St. John Medical Center is intended to provide the student with experience in emergency medicine pharmacy practice. Emphasis will be placed on obtaining patient medication histories, providing pertinent drug information to emergency medicine clinicians, and providing patient education as necessary. Students will have the opportunity to observe medical emergencies from the bedside including cardiac arrests, rapid sequence intubations, STEMIs, strokes and traumas.

Preceptor:
Lin Urquhart, PharmD, BCPS

The General Hospital rotation at UH St. John Medical Center offers pharmacy students a comprehensive experience around both clinical and operational pharmacy services in a hospital setting. Students will participate in daily activities with experienced pharmacists, including shadowing interdisciplinary pharmacy teams and clinical specialists. Additionally, students will have opportunities to work on any department projects. Students are expected to demonstrate professionalism, strong communication skills, a positive attitude and willingness to participate and learn in a dynamic healthcare environment.

Preceptor:
Amy Fabian, PharmD, BCIDP

The Infectious Disease (ID) rotation is intended to develop the student’s proficiency in the monitoring and management of patients receiving antimicrobial mediations for proven or suspected infectious diseases. It is also intended to introduce the student to the concept of antimicrobial stewardship and provide an overview of various activities associated with antimicrobial stewardship in an acute care setting. The main learning components of this rotation will involve rounding with the infectious disease specialist and participating in the antimicrobial stewardship program through direct patient care. Other responsibilities include antimicrobial stewardship patient review and evaluation, attend ID rounds, patient education, disease state reviews and a formal presentation.

Preceptors:
Kaitlin Coberly, PharmD, BCEMP
Zachary Lavely-Planisek, PharmD, BCPS

The Internal Medicine rotation is a clinical experience intended to provide learners an opportunity to apply didactically acquired information in the provision of pharmaceutical care to adult patients in an inpatient care environment. This rotation will prepare learners to clinically manage and monitor patients’ pharmacotherapy. Responsibilities will include clinical rounds with other members of the health care team, evaluation of drug therapy problems from a patient-oriented perspective, patient medication education and a formal presentation.

Preceptors:
Zachary Lavely-Planisek, PharmD, BCPS
Melanie Hasel, PharmD

The Transitions of Care Rotation at UH St. John Medical Center focuses on ensuring a smooth transition of medication therapy between hospital and home or an alternate care facility. The student will work alongside a floor-based pharmacist and demonstrate skill proficiency in the following areas: patient interview and assessment, medication reconciliation on admission and discharge and patient counseling on new/discharge medications. Responsibilities will include performing admission medication reconciliation, daily profile review for assigned patients, discharge counseling/collaboration with UH St. John Medical Center meds-to-beds pharmacy, attending intradisciplinary stroke rounds and a formal presentation.

Preceptor:
Rachana Patel, PharmD, BCPS

The Management/Leadership rotation at UH St. John Medical Center experience is for the student to gain a comprehensive understanding of hospital and pharmacy operations with an emphasis on leadership, management and strategic planning processes. This experience is primarily self-directed and project-based, with the student participating in daily meetings with the preceptor and engaging in regular leadership activities. Weekly topic discussions will cover key areas such as pharmacy and therapeutics (PNT) committee, formulary management, budgeting and emerging trends shaping the future of pharmacy practice. The experience is tailored to align with the student’s interests and future career goals in pharmacy leadership.