Jason Martinez
PharmD, BCAP
By: Valentina Lim, PharmD candidate (Class of 2018)
Dr. Jason Martinez is the ambulatory specialist pharmacist at Community Health and Wellness partners of Logan County, a federally qualified health center (FQHC). The institution is an accredited patient-centered medical home from The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
- What attracted you to pharmacy and to your job at a health center?
When I took a career questionnaire in middle school, science and pharmacy came at the top of my career cluster interest. Supported by a family friend, who was also an active advocate of pharmacy profession, I decided to apply for a degree in health science. I also started to work as a pharmacy technician in a community pharmacy after high school. I then moved to Ohio to earn PharmD at Ohio Northern University.
In addition to a huge interest in community pharmacy, my APPE preceptor at University Hospital in Cleveland inspired me to extend my clinical skills in internal medicine and ambulatory pharmacy setting. Therefore, I sat for the board exam and became a certified ambulatory care pharmacist.
Working at a patient-centered medical home opens an opportunity for me to exercise my passion in direct patient interaction and chronic disease management. It also works the best around my schedule to balance my pharmacy career with family.
- What aspects of your career have you found the most and the least rewarding?
The most: I always enjoy the mutual interaction with the providers and the patients. I also have some extra time dedicated for literature review to keep me updated with the new practice standards or a new drug in the market. In addition, the institution is very supportive of career advancement, such as becoming a tobacco treatment specialist.
The least: Currently I am the only clinical pharmacist on staff so I am on call evenings and weekends for consultation.Fortunately, this does not happen frequently.
- What makes your institution unique?
We are a FQHC that receives a reimbursement from The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid to serve the underserved and diverse population. In addition, since we are a patient-centered medical home, we treat the patient thoroughly from different aspects. It offers more than a physician visit. It incorporates a pharmacist, a nutritionist, or a psychiatry consultation for diabetes or dietary education and mental health management. It also includes a referral to a dentist and/or optometry. We also have a social worker who works closely with the patient to overcome insurance issues. We provide medication through the 340B program to assist with cost.
- What has been your biggest dream in pharmacy?
I would love to impact every individual patient by providing the right therapy and helping him or her to get the medicine. I also would love to influence students to make a difference in every patient’s life. I would like to become more involved in academia in the future.
- What are the vulnerabilities in pharmacy? What worries you?
The application of business metrics that focuses on number of patients, or number of prescriptions with a greater penalty for not meeting the goal may cause the direction of healthcare leaning toward a matrix satisfaction rather than good care that may not be able to be measured traditionally.
- What did you see as the biggest competitive challenge for your institution?
The scheduling is a biggest challenge, as we do not have a regular designated staff to schedule all patients. Sometimes, the patient is scheduled on the provider’s or the pharmacist’s off day. In addition, since we advertise on accepting all patients, some patients prejudge us as a free clinic that provides less standard care quality.
- If you are opening up a residency opportunity in the future, what qualities do you look for?
I am looking for a candidate with a passion for learning, great work attitude, and a sufficient work experience.
- What advice would you have for pharmacy students in general?
A. Always open your mind to various pharmacy routes in addition to traditional community or hospital pharmacy. Never say no to a new opportunity.
B. Stay active, current, and connected with other pharmacists in a variety of pharmacy settings.
C. Understand that it is impossible to know everything. Be more open to learning each day.