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 the medication safety pharmacy field?
The field of medication safety optimizes medication outcomes and reduces the risk of medication errors. The medication safety leader (also known as a medication safety officer, medication safety manager, or medication safety coordinator) is a clinical practitioner who serves as the authoritative expert in safe medication use and oversees an organization's medication safety program.
Where does a medication safety pharmacist work?
A medication safety leader works in many settings, primarily hospitals and health-systems. They make changes to the medication use process by attending meetings for medication event reviews, project management and implementation, and strategic initiatives.
What does a typical workday look like?
For a medication safety pharmacist, a typical day may include attending safety rounds, writing policies, reviewing adverse drug events and medication error reports, implementing error prevention strategies, leading process improvement teams, reviewing metrics from pump libraries and automated dispensing cabinets, and more.
What educational opportunities are available for pharmacists in this area?
- ASHP has a Medication Safety Certificate available online in partnership with the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP).
- There are many ASHP-accredited Medication Use Safety and Policy residency programs.
- Many sometimes pursue an ISMP Safe Medication Management Fellowship to enhance their knowledge about the practice area.
How can I learn more about this career path?
- ASHP has an ASHP Statement on the Role of the Medication Safety Leader (Am J Health-Syst Pharm. 2020; 77: 308-12) for more information about the needs and practices of this specialty area.
- Additionally, ISMP has ISMP - The Case for Medication Safety Officers (MSO) for more information about the medication safety practice.
Member Career Profiles
Michael C. Dejos, Pharm.D., BCPS, LSSBB, DPLA
System Medication Safety Officer
Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare
What interested you in pharmacy and this career path?
“When I was a student pharmacist, I knew I wanted to make an impact on patient results from both a clinical and operational perspective. After learning more about medication safety from an elective course at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, I was amazed to learn how the field of medication safety blends many aspects of pharmacy and hospital operations, clinical pharmacy, and clinical informatics. As someone who is more analytical, this field is just right for me as it has allowed me to blend my interests as well as implement system-wide initiatives.”
What advice do you have for someone interested in this career field?
“If you are a student, shadow and spend time with a medication safety leader. If you are a practicing pharmacist, offer to assist with a policy or project related to medication safety as a way to get exposed to the approval and implementation process.”