Clinical Practice Spotlight – Emergency Medicine Pharmacist
- What path did you take to end up in your position as an emergency medicine pharmacist?
Dr. Hoh: I completed a PGY1 pharmacy residency followed by a PGY2 critical care residency. After completing my PGY2 residency, I was fortunate to land a clinical faculty position with a practice site in the emergency department. My advice for students or residents, in any specialty area, is to be flexible in your location. I moved across the country for my position and loved getting to experience a new city and culture.
- What are the responsibilities associated with being an emergency medicine pharmacist and how are you able to influence patient care?
Dr. Hoh: As an EM pharmacist, I respond to medical and trauma resuscitations for critically ill patients presenting to the emergency department. I also provide antimicrobial stewardship to patients in the emergency department. Other responsibilities include order verification and preparation for emergency bedside resuscitation. The great thing about practicing emergency medicine is that no two days are the same – you never know what type of patient is going to come through the door needing care.
- What challenges have you faced as a pharmacist in the emergency department, and how have you overcome these challenges?
Dr. Hoh: When I started in my role, emergency medicine pharmacists were not present in the emergency department. I absolutely loved the challenge of implementing these services and showing exactly how a clinical pharmacist could enhance patient care and help the team. I enjoyed the challenge of helping the physicians and nurses find value in and look for a bedside clinical pharmacist to help. Unique to my practice site, no one ever seemed to have trauma shears at the bedside. To build relationships and get to know the care teams, I started carrying trauma shears. This helped to have the care teams start to look for me during resuscitations and outside of them during routine care, for both medication recommendations and my trauma shears.
- What advice do you have for students, especially those who want to specialize in emergency medicine?
Dr. Hoh: The best advice I can give is to find a mentor and ask them questions. I have been fortunate enough to have great mentors guide me through every step of my career (so far). You don’t have to know everything, but knowing someone who has previously been in your shoes is instrumental.
- In what ways do you believe students can emerge from the crowd and be a standout candidate during residency?
Dr. Hoh: Emerge from the Crowd is one of the best resources ACCP offers its student members. The programming will prepare students for the residency process. You also don’t have to wait until your P4 year to attend; attending earlier can help you navigate the path to residency and set yourself up for success during your P4 year.
- You have published various research papers in the past – how do you think students can become more involved in research?
Dr. Hoh: The best way to get involved in the research process is to ask a pharmacist or faculty member if you can join. Initially, don’t be too focused on the content area; you must start somewhere. Don’t get discouraged if you are told no the first time you ask; everyone may be at various stages of research projects; ask someone else.
- What role has ACCP played in your career development?
Dr. Hoh: ACCP has been instrumental in my career. As a student member, ACCP helped teach me the benefits of organizational involvement. As a practitioner, I have gained valuable leadership experience and collaboration with practitioners across the country. The ability to collaborate with practitioners in your area of interest through the PRNs is something I value from the organization. My advice for any student is to get involved. ACCP’s website, and your mentors, will show you what opportunities are available – from PRN Research Awards to SNAC, take advantage of these opportunities.
Jennifer Hoh, Pharm.D., BCCCP, BCEMP is an Emergency Medicine Specialist, PGY1 New Orleans Program Director and Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Louisiana Monroe School of Clinical Sciences – New Orleans Campus.