Learn more about the duties, practice settings, typical workdays, and educational opportunities, as well as personal advice from pharmacists in this practice area.
What is pediatric pharmacy?
The pediatric pharmacy field is arguably one of the most dynamic and challenging practice settings. Pediatric pharmacists care for patients who range from the very little (neonates) all the way through adolescence and into adulthood. Some pediatric pharmacists also manage patients who are pregnant or have just delivered a baby. While some disease states are similar between children and adults, many are unique to the pediatric population.Additionally, there are many unique characteristics that influence medical decisions for children, including a child’s age and physiologic differences for that age group. Care for the pediatric population is expansive and includes many different practice areas similarly to adults (i.e. general medicine, critical care, ambulatory care, etc.).
Where does a pediatric pharmacist work?
A pediatric pharmacist works in the institutional setting, either as a clinical specialist who rounds with a medical team orcollaborates in an outpatient/ambulatory care setting, or as a staff pharmacist. In the inpatient setting, pediatric pharmacists may practice in different care areas, including general pediatrics, critical care, psychiatry, infectious diseases, etc. They may also work in operations (order verification, checking dispensed medications, etc.). In the outpatient setting, pediatric pharmacists may be seen working in doctor’s offices (general pediatrics clinics or specialty clinics). There are also pediatric pharmacist roles in academia, government, industry, and many more.
What does a typical workday look like?
For a pediatric pharmacist in an inpatient setting, a typical workday begins with evaluating patient data, including current medication lists, relevant laboratory findings, nurse and provider reports, and more. The multidisciplinary medical team consists of an attending physician, nurses, and pharmacists. At academic medical centers, the team may also include medical residents and/or fellows, in addition to learners (pharmacy students and residents). Respiratory therapists, dieticians, physical therapists, social workers, and case managers may also join rounds for patients requiring more complex care.Specialist consult teams (e.g. neurology, infectious diseases) may also join rounds for particular patients. After patient care rounds, any questions that were not immediately answered are addressed with the information relayed to the team. Pediatric pharmacists may assist in the central or decentralized pharmacies, participate on committees, educate learners, perform medication counseling, address drug shortages, and more. Pediatric ambulatory care pharmacists may perform several of the duties listed above, as well as additional responsibilities.
What educational opportunities are available for pharmacists in this area?
- Pediatrics is a pharmacy specialty that is officially recognized by the Board of Pharmacy Specialties. ASHP offers board certification and recertification resources for the pediatric pharmacy exam.
- ASHP also has a few different references such as the Teddy Bear book, Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation reference book, and The NICU Primer for Pharmacists.
How can I learn more about this career path?
- ASHP has a dedicated ASHP Pediatrics Resource Center for more information about pediatric pharmacy and tools to help you understand the practice.
- ASHP also has the ASHP Section of Clinical Specialists and Scientists Pediatric Section Advisory Group.
- Visit Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) – Pediatric Pharmacy to learn more about this specialty area.
Member Career Profiles
Norman E Fenn III, Pharm.D., BCPS
University of Texas at Tyler
Caroline M Sierra, Pharm.D., BCPPS
Loma Linda University School of Pharmacy
What interested you in pharmacy and this career path?
Dr. Fenn: “I’ve been in the pharmacy field for more than 20 years, working as a technician for a decade in several different practice settings before starting pharmacy school. I knew from the beginning that I wanted to go into pediatric practice, though beyond that, I was open to explore additional specialties. I discovered a mentor who is a faculty member specializing in pediatrics, and that role would allow me to educate students, conduct research, and maintain a clinical practice. This encouraged me to pursue a career in academia and pediatrics. I will mention that pediatric pharmacy specialists also do this to varying levels. Pediatric facilities are usually more fun and light-hearted than adult-only facilities, which makes the work more enjoyable.”
Dr. Sierra: “I discovered my interest in pediatric pharmacy during an APPE rotation. During pharmacy school, I worked in a community pharmacy and received many questions about pediatric patients that I was not sure how to answer, so I pursued a pediatric rotation at a local children's hospital. I love the challenge of combining an understanding of pharmacology, physiology, and children's growth and development to determine optimal therapies for our patients. Plus, I think the environment in pediatrics is always friendly and welcoming.”
What advice do you have for someone interested in this career field?
“Pediatrics isn’t for everyone. It is important to get some form of experience in pediatrics, whether through an experiential rotation, shadowing pediatric pharmacists, or speaking with specialists. Pediatric pharmacists can be found in most inpatient facilities. Those who practice in pediatrics often have exemplary drug information skills, are highly detail-oriented, and have an incredible passion to care for children.”
Morgan King, Pharm.D., BCPPS
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
Cleveland Clinic Fairview Hospital
What interested you in pharmacy and this career path?
“Working with kids has always been an interest of mine. I did a lot of babysitting growing up, whether it was at my brother’s Boy Scout meetings or volunteering in the daycare at my church. Prior to wanting to be a pharmacist, I had ambitions of becoming a pediatrician. My love for chemistry is what made me change career paths to pharmacy and when I learned specifically about pediatric pharmacy; I knew it was the route that I wanted to take. The other thing that has always interested me in pediatric pharmacy is that the population always keeps me on my toes. There isn’t a lot of clinical data out there for the pediatric population, so it involves a lot of creativity and thinking outside the box which makes every day different.”
What advice do you have for someone interested in this career field?
“Kids are not tiny adults. There is a lot to take into consideration when caring for pediatric patients from the prescribing stage to the administration stage. When choosing a medication for a patient, we have to consider things such as age, weight, pharmacokinetics, etc. What may be “normal” for an adult is not always “normal” for a pediatric patient (i.e. lab values, vitals, etc.). In terms of administration, what dosage forms does the medication come in, and can we get the dose we need from the available strengths? Most kids can’t swallow pills, so does it come in a liquid? If it only comes as a tablet, is it something that can be crushed? If it does come as a liquid, is it palatable? There are a lot of questions that need to be asked. Also, when caring for pediatrics, communication often happens primarily with parents, but it’s important to remember to include your patient in his/her care when possible.”