Two Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas pharmacists completed the National Clinician Consultation Center (NCCC) PrEP Champion Preceptorship, an approach to integrating health center PrEP activities.
PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a medication that can reduce the chance of getting HIV from sex or injection drug use. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV. The preceptorship is an intensive PrEP training and capacity-building opportunity for pharmacists and other health care providers who are interested in further developing their PrEP care-related knowledge and skills.
The preceptorship is available to nonphysician clinical staff at Ending the HIV Epidemic-Primary Care HIV Prevention (PCHP) awarded health centers.
Iola Clinical Pharmacy Services Manager Jennelle Knight, PharmD, CDCES, and Pittsburg Pharmacist Brian Martin, PharmD, were trained on indications, strategies, and laboratory testing associated with the provision and monitoring of different PrEP regimens/schedules; the role of the clinical pharmacist and other PrEP team members in identifying, promoting and retaining eligible PrEP recipients, and examining the facilitators and barriers to PrEP use and populations experiencing disparities in access to HIV prevention.
“Our pharmacists enjoy working as part of the healthcare team and we are excited to see how incorporating them into our Infectious Disease team can expand access to PrEP for our communities,” Vice President of Pharmacy Lisa Wells said.
CHC/SEK physician Dr. Julie Stewart, MD, said the completion of this preceptorship improves patient outcomes.
“To have pharmacists engaged with patients from a prevention standpoint shows that the field of pharmacy is more than just ‘pill distribution’ but a vital part of team-based care,” Stewart said. “They will reach patients myself and other clinicians may not, thereby saving untold patients from a life-changing HIV diagnosis. We are privileged and thankful to have Jenelle and Brian join our Infectious Disease team.”
The preceptorship is part of a grant to reduce the spread of HIV in our communities. CHC/SEK is the recipient of the KDHE Ryan White HIV Program Grant and HRSA’s HIV Epidemic-Primary Care HIV Prevention (PCHP).
