The UW School of Pharmacy Student Senate, along with the Pharmacy Alumni Association, is sponsoring a Pharmacy Mentor Program for pre-pharmacy and first–year Pharm. D. students. The purpose of this program is to provide an opportunity for students to explore the many different areas of pharmacy practice in order to find their niche in the profession.
What kind of opportunities are available through the Mentor Program?
The Mentor Program enables you to become familiar with the daily activities and responsibilities of being a pharmacist. You will cultivate a relationship with a practicing pharmacist, and gain insight into the profession of pharmacy.
Below is a description of the various practice settings that the Mentor Program can expose you to:
• Community Pharmacy: Community pharmacy practices are often categorized by who owns them. Pharmacies that are corporately owned are referred to as chain pharmacies, while those that are independently owned are called independent pharmacies. While both types of community pharmacy serve patients and dispense prescriptions, there are often some differences between the two. Many independent pharmacies offer special services such as compounding, pre-filling syringes, or filling med boxes for their patients. Often, chain pharmacies have advanced technology and computer systems to aid in the preparation and dispensing of prescriptions.
• Hospital: Many inpatient hospital pharmacists may be responsible for recommending drug therapy for patients, ensuring proper drug dosing for patients, or consulting with patients upon admission or discharge.
• Long-term Care: Long-term care pharmacists practice in a variety of settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, and rehabilitation facilities. Sometimes, they function as independent consultants. Their practice focuses on the special needs of patients who require long-term care. This can include monitoring patient compliance to drug therapy, ensuring that there are no interacting drugs on a patient’s profile, or recommending changes or adjustments to therapy.
• Administrative: Pharmacists in administrative aspects of practice may be involved in making formulary decisions, shaping practice policy at their facility, and overseeing the activities of other pharmacists. Administrative pharmacists are found in a variety of settings.
• Academia: Pharmacists in academia are involved in educating the future generation of pharmacists. Academia offers opportunities for teaching, research, involvement in academic planning committees, and administrative roles.
• Managed Care: Pharmacists in managed care often help determine what drugs a facility chooses to include in the formulary. They also monitor drug utilization by patients in order to ensure that patients are receiving medications that are cost-effective. They may also be involved in formulating prescribing guidelines for physicians.
How can I become involved?
You may find an application form here. Please fill it out and return it as soon as possible. If you have any questions, or if you would like more information, please contact the mentor program coordinator.
Mentor Program Coordinator
777 Highland Ave Mailbox #14
Madison, WI 53705