Health Care Spotlight: Tiffany Diemer, Clinical Pharmacist

By Arkansas NEXT Staff on Thursday, September 3, 2015

Tiffany Diemer
Clinical Pharmacist at Kroger Pharmacy, North Little Rock

Age: 27
Hometown: North Little Rock
Degree(s): University of Arkansas at Fayetteville—undergrad; University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences—Doctor of Pharmacy degree; University of Tennessee Health Science Center/Kroger Pharmacy; Post Graduate Community Pharmacy Residency

How did you break into your field?
I started shadowing and volunteering at some independent pharmacies. After witnessing the impact that the pharmacists had on their patients and the relationships they built with their patients, I knew I wanted to be a pharmacist. I also attended a pharmacy camp my senior year of high school to learn more about the field.

What was your training or schooling like?
The UAMS doctor of pharmacy degree is a four-year program consisting of rigorous coursework, followed by advanced practice experiences in various pharmacy settings. The curriculum, faculty and staff at UAMS gave me the knowledge and skills to not only become a pharmacist, but also to be an advocate for the profession.

What is your job like?
I provide services such as immunizations (flu shots and other vaccines), blood pressure monitoring services and cholesterol and blood glucose screenings. I help patients manage and understand their diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. I preform consultations with patients needing vaccines for international travel. I also provide medication therapy management, or MTM, which seeks to optimize patient’s medications by identifying, preventing and resolving medication-related problems.

Why do you love health care?
I love being part of the healthcare team because I am able to make a difference in people’s lives. I enjoy helping people stay as healthy as possible.

What’s the outlook of your industry?
Pharmacists are becoming an integral part of the healthcare team, and there continues to be solid employment growth in the pharmacy profession. Over the next decade as the population continues to age, more Americans are expected to seek healthcare services.

What would students be surprised to learn about your field?
Pharmacists are needed to work at hospitals, nursing homes, nuclear pharmacies, community pharmacies, primary care clinics and within the pharmaceutical industry.

Your advice for students interested in health care:
I recommend job shadowing to give you hands-on experience.

Jobs In Pharmacy

Why it’s hot: Like many industries, the pharmaceutical field has the Baby Boomer generation to thank for its boost. More aging patients means more trips to the pharmacy. But apart from employment projections, this industry allows its members to connect relationally with the people it serves. “Being a pharmacist is very rewarding,” says Tiffany Diemer. “Pharmacists are the most accessible healthcare providers and visible leaders in our community.”

The Major: Pre-Pharmacy, Chemistry, Biology

The Job: Pharmacist, Pharmacy Technician, Pharmaceutical Aide

The Paycheck: According to the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, Pharmacists in Arkansas made an average of $109,470 in 2013, while Pharmacy Technicians made $27,140 and aides made $20,410.