Sandra J. Dirks, Pharm.D.

Education, Certifications & Awards

Areas of Expertise

Keywords: medication, medical, psychiatry, side effects, pain.

Categories: Healthcare & Pharmacy & Mental Health & Psychopharmacology & Addiction & Malpractice - Medical

Bio

Assistant Professor

Clinical Specialist Psychiatry

Drake University

College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences



Broadlawns Medical Center





Developed and implemented pharmaceutical care services for the in- patient adult psychiatric unit and the child, adolescent and adult outpatient clinics. Collaboration with psychiatrists and the mental health director to identify services that best meet the needs of patients. These services focus on staff development, patient education and monitoring patients' drug therapy to identify and prevent drug therapy problems, and developing clinical pathways and monitoring protocols to ensure patients have positive outcomes with the most cost effective therapy. Currently developing implementation plans for Iowa Medicaid Pharmaceutical Case Management Services at BMC. Serving as a liason between the pharmacy and psychiatry departments is another important role of this position. This practice also serves as an educational site for Doctor of Pharmacy students completing their advanced practice experiences. Other faculty responsibilities include committee work, academic advising and teaching in therapeutics and two elective courses in substance abuse and children's mental health