Careers in Pharmacy

Sources for Career Information

If you’re trying to determine which career area best matches your talents, or if you are looking for job sources and training opportunities, several resources are available for pharmacy students. For example:

The Glaxo Pathway Evaluation Program for Pharmacy Professionals
This program, offered free at many pharmacy schools, lets students know about a wide range of career areas and teaches them an effective process for making informed career decisions. The core of the program is a half-day workshop, led by specially trained facilitators, which includes small group discussions and self-assessment exercises. Contact your faculty advisor, dean’s office, or office of student affairs to find out when the program is offered at your school. If your school doesn’t participate, you or your advisor can get enrollment information by contacting Glaxo at (800) 44-PHARM.

College Career Centers
Most universities have career centers that offer a variety of resource, such as reference books, computer programs, and self-assessment tests. Many career centers offer the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, or similar tools, to help raise students’ awareness of their personality types and tendencies, including the ways they prefer to gather information and make decisions. Armed with such knowledge, students can more easily determine the career areas for which they are suited. Some pharmacy schools also offer career services. Check with your dean’s office or the general information office at your university.

APhA Resume Referral Service
This service is available free to members of APhA and the Academy of Students of Pharmacy (nonmembers pay $80). When job seekers submit a “profile form,” their information is entered into a database that employers can search when they have position available. For information call the APhA New Practitioner Office at (800) 237-APhA or 202-429-7508.

APhA Career Expo
This two-day exhibit allows you to meet with the people who can help you achieve your career goals: prospective employers from all segments of pharmacy practice. It is held each year at the APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition

APhA Career Opportunities Exhibit
A sort of mini “Career Expo,” this networking session is offered at the APhA Midyear Regional Meetings, which are held in eight cities across the country each October and November.

MediMatch Health Care Job Information Bank
This is a new electronic clearinghouse for health care professionals, including pharmacist, physicians, and nurses. There is no charge to employers listing position openings or to professionals seeking jobs. If you’re position hunting, give your resume and information about the type of position you want to personnel at the job bank. They will conduct a search for job listings that match your qualifications and objectives, and will mail you the resulting information. For more details, call (800) JOBS 123.

Pfizer Guide: Pharmacy Career Opportunites
This book was released in 1994, gives profiles of more than 60 pharmacists in a variety of settings and includes tips on career planning and job search. For a free copy check with your dean’s office or office of student affairs, or contact Merritt Communications at 142 Ferry Road, Old Saybrook, CT 06475. (202) 395-0528.

ACCP Directory of Residencies and Fellowships
This directory describes more than 200 residencies and fellowships offered by members of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, referenced by state and by practice/research specialty. It is available online through ClinNet. For information, contact the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, 31001 Broadway, Suite 380, Kansas City, MO 6411. (816) 531-2177.

ASHP Residency Directory and Matching Program
The directory lists about 300 hospital and institutional residencies; it can also be accessed by computer. The ASHP Residency Showcase, held each December at the Midyear Clinical Meeting, is a related event that gives students and pharmacists a chance to talk with representatives from a wide range of residencies. The ASHP Resident Matching Program is a service that matches applicants with residencies according to the preferences of each. For information, contact the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 7272 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814. (301) 657-3000.

Pharmacy Associations
National and state pharmacy associations and other groups also offer a variety of resources for students, including career information and experiential learning opportunities. Contact the following to learn more:

Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP)
1101 King Street, Suite 601
Alexandria, VA 22314-1841
(703) 839-8982
www.amcp.org

American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)
1426 Prince Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-2481
(703) 739-2330
www.aacp.org

AmericanCollege of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP)
3101 Broadway, Suite 380
Kansas City, MO 64111
816-531-2177
www.accp.com

American Pharmacists Association, Student Affairs (APhA)
2215 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20037-2895
(800) 237-2742 or 202-429-7514
www.pharmacist.com/students

American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP)
1321 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314-3563
(703) 739-1300
www.ascp.com

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
7272 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 657-3000
www.ashp.org

NARD (which represents independent pharmacy)
205 Daingerfield Road
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 683-8200.

National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS)
413 N. Lee Street
PO Box 1417-D49
Alexandria, VA 22313-1417
(703) 549-3001
www.nacds.org

National Pharmaceutical Council, Inc. (NPA)
1894 Preston White Drive
Reston, VA 22091
(703) 620-6390