Happy Pharmacy Week! Understanding Managed Care

National Pharmacy Week acknowledges the critical contributions pharmacists and technicians make to patient care in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and other healthcare settings. Along with dispensing medications and administering immunizations, pharmacists work as researchers, educators, advocates, and counselors. The pharmacy profession fills a vital role in society by connecting patients and medical professionals.

What you might not know is the role pharmacists play in supporting public health. Through health screenings and health education, pharmacists play a key role in prevention as well as access to care. Furthermore, whenever workforce shortages hit the healthcare system, pharmacists may act as first responders, providing clinical advice—including over-the-counter (OTC) relief—that may aid in decreasing unnecessary emergency room visits for common conditions.

For these reasons, #NationalPharmacyWeek is the perfect opportunity to celebrate our Pharmacy peers and highlight Healthfirst’s ASHP accredited Managed Care Residency program . The year-long program—which includes a salary and benefits—is unique in the downstate New York region. It is designed to help the resident develop a diverse set of managed-care skills through longitudinal, core, and elective learning experiences, and the rotations are strategically structured to ensure that the resident can gain a variety of experiences that will prepare them for any career within managed care.

As I navigated pharmacy school I thought constantly about where I wanted to be and what I wanted to do with the education and training that I was so fortunate to be acquiring. Often, I’d find myself falling in love with so many different fields of pharmacy, and my drive to learn more led me to get involved with so many different areas of pharmacy practice. Through those experiences, I not only confirmed my passion for being a clinician, but I also developed a curiosity to understand the bigger picture of healthcare, which involved understanding pharmacy’s economic landscape. Combining those passions with the ability to have a significant impact on the population made me realize that managed care was the field for me. As a resident, you’ll be able to apply clinical knowledge from a unique perspective, provide insights from previous experiences, and serve as a key contributor to the team.

The Healthfirst PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency program is an excellent learning experience at a nationally recognized health plan delivering comprehensive services and innovative programs. It provides a unique opportunity for a new pharmacist who is looking to find their niche in the growing pharmacy landscape. As an integral part of the healthcare management team, residents will take part in aspects of managed care that represent current and future areas of growth. Though not necessarily a career pathway that is usually promoted during professional pharmacy training, pharmacists in managed care play a pivotal role in how individuals experience healthcare.

If you’re a pharmacist or pharmacy student interested in completing the ASHP-accredited PGY-1 Managed Care Residency at Healthfirst, we invite you to join our virtual showcases on Wednesday, November 8, from 12pm–1pm EST or Thursday, November 9, from 6pm–7pm. The showcase will provide prospective candidates with the opportunity to speak with the current pharmacy resident, the Residency Program Director (RPD), and learn more about the PGY-1 Residency program at Healthfirst. ?

About the Author

Rainier R. , Pharm.D., is a New York State-licensed pharmacist, and current PGY-1 Managed Care Pharmacy Resident at Healthfirst.