As defined in the 1999 APhA-ASP/AACP White Paper on Professionalism,
pharmacists and pharmacy students act professionally when they display the
following behaviors as categorized into 10 broad traits.
1. Professional Knowledge, Skills and Behaviors
• Performance responsibilities in a manner consistent with the school’s or
college’s educational outcomes statement, the CAPE outcomes, NABP and
ACPE competencies, professional associations’ competency statements and
other professionalism documents.
• Interacts effectively with faculty, staff, other students, patients and their
families, pharmacy colleagues and other health professionals.
2. Commitment to Self-Improvement and Life-Long Learning
• Reflects critically on his or her actions and seeks to improve proficiency in all
facets of his/her responsibilities Accepts and responds to constructive
feedback
• Provides constructive feedback to others
• Recognizes limitations and seeks help when necessary
• Takes responsibility for learning; an active and self-directed learner
• Does not participate in activities that compromise learning
• Maintains personal health and well-being
3. Service Orientation/Altruism
• Demonstrates concern for the welfare of others; uses skills and knowledge
to improve their quality of
• Recognizes and avoids conflicts of interest
• Provides service to the community and society-at-large
• Offers to help others when they are busy or in need of assistance
• Shares opportunities for recognition with others
• Does not seek to profit unfairly from others
• Puts patient needs above their own, e.g., staying as long as necessary to
ensure appropriate care
4. Continuing Commitment to Excellence and Pride in the Profession, College, and
Community
• Demonstrates dedication to his/her patients and the profession supported
by a strong work ethic
• Upholds the competent delivery of health care services; addresses lack of
knowledge or skill in self and others
• Conscientious; well-prepared for class and clinical rotations
• Displays a consistent effort to exceed minimum requirements; demonstrates
quality work
5. Covenantal Relationship with the Patient and Respect for Others
• Empathetic and responsive to the needs of the patient, the patient’s family
and other health care team members
• Respects a patient’s autonomy, privacy, and dignity
• Involves the patient as a partner in his/her health care decisions; honors the
patient’s values and belief systems
• Respects and appreciates the diversity of his/her patients
• Listens and communicates effectively
• Maintains appropriate boundaries
• Advocates for others
• Non-judgmental; displays compassion and empathy
• Skillful in establishing a rapport with patients and other health care team
members
• Contributes to team building
• Maintains composure and adapts well to changing or stressful situations
• Resolves conflicts fairly
6. Creativity and Innovation
• Contributes to quality improvement in all professional endeavors
• Applies creative and innovative approaches to challenges
• Contributes to the development of new knowledge and practices that
advance patient-centered care
7. Conscience and Trustworthiness
• Demonstrates a high degree of integrity, truthfulness, and fairness
• Uses time and resources appropriately
• Truthful about facts or events; Does not hide errors
8. Accountability
• Demonstrates initiative, reliability and follow-through in fulfilling
commitments
• Promptly completes responsibilities in a timely manner
• Responsible for, and accountable to others (e.g., patients their families, to
society and the profession)
• Accepts responsibility for one’s errors and explores ways to prevent errors
from occurring in the future
• Confronts individuals who demonstrate unprofessional behavior
• Does not participate in activities that impair judgment or compromise
patient care responsibilities
• Accountable for his/her academic and professional performance
9. Ethically Sound Decision-Making
• Demonstrates an awareness of professional norms, laws, and behavior;
knowledge of theories and principles underlying ethical conduct
• Adheres to high ethical and moral standards
• Able to cope with a high degree of complexity and uncertainty
• Controls emotions appropriately even under stressful conditions; maintains
personal boundaries
• Prioritizes responsibilities properly
10. Leadership
• Contributes to the profession; actively involved in professional organizations
or other venues
• Proactive in solving social and professional challenges
• Helps promote a culture of professionalism
• Embraces and advocates for change that improves patient care
• Encourages current and future pharmacists in their professional
development
