by Michelle Chu, PharmD, MHA, BCACP, APh
BPS Psychiatric Pharmacy Specialty Council Member
Success often follows closely behind personal satisfaction and fulfillment. In my experience, success has meant advancement in my career and personal growth, allowing me to hone my professional skills and gain confidence. My board certification in ambulatory care (BCACP) paved the way to success.
From my earliest days in pharmacy school, I was drawn to the role of a pharmacist clinician who focuses on medication appropriateness, effectiveness, and safety for patients. My goal was to collaborate with physicians and other health professionals to achieve optimal patient health outcomes while encouraging positive changes in patient’s health behaviors and beliefs surrounding medications. This commitment led me to pursue a residency program aligned with my professional goals, which offered comprehensive clinical training to provide holistic patient care in ambulatory settings.
Upon completing my residency, I recognized the need to solidify my expertise as an ambulatory care pharmacist. As I spearheaded the development and expansion of ambulatory care pharmacy services, I realized that national recognition of expertise as an ambulatory care pharmacist was not just necessary but crucial. Earning the board-certified ambulatory care pharmacist designation and corresponding recognition was a game-changer, transforming my career and the way I provided patient care. It alleviated barriers that previously hindered the full utilization of ambulatory care pharmacists’ skills and training, opening new possibilities and opportunities.
My achievement of BCACP certification opened doors to other accomplishments. It made the integration of pharmacists into my healthcare system seamless. It was a powerful validation of my expertise by fellow pharmacists and non-pharmacy healthcare professionals. Looking back, I recall my first interaction with a lead physician and a clinic operational manager, who had never worked with an ambulatory care pharmacist. They had many questions about my qualifications and training in managing chronic disease states. However, BCACP certification resolved their curiosity. They immediately recognized the significance of holding board certification and were eager to create a path for me as an ambulatory care pharmacist to be a prescribing provider.
Shortly after, the BCACP certification became one of the qualifications required1 to be credentialed and practiced at the highest level for other ambulatory care pharmacists within the health system. Similarly, BCACP certification validated my expertise as an ambulatory care pharmacist and opened a world of opportunities to expand ambulatory care services and collaboration with diverse healthcare professionals. Through this process, BCACP certification boosted my confidence as a professional and has challenged me to stay up to date on clinical information by embracing lifelong learning.
As a residency program director, I have the privilege of guiding new practitioners and encouraging them to pursue board certification. I stress that obtaining and maintaining board certification is more than just a method to validate a pharmacist’s competencies. It is a universal language that can bridge the knowledge gap that other healthcare professionals might have about the expertise of an ambulatory care pharmacist. Board certification is a powerful tool that instills confidence in pharmacist specialists and represents our abilities to practice at an advanced level in ambulatory care.
A pharmacist’s professional journey may include many successes, both large and small, but one that I encourage any pharmacist to pursue is achieving board certification. It is not only a significant milestone in career development, but it can also act as a jumping-off point for the next personal and professional advancements.
1 Advanced Practice Pharmacist. Advanced Practice Pharmacist. Accessed June 13, 2024. http://appharmacist.com/