APhA Experiential Programs

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APhA offers two opportunities for student pharmacists to gain experience in association management and leadership. Students can apply for the Carl F. Emswiller Summer Internship or apply for an advance pharmacy practice experience (APPE) elective.

APhA works with each student pharmacist to tailor their experience to meet his or her career goal and interests. As a result of participation in the APhA Experiential Program in Association Management, all students will:

Gain an understanding of the mission, goals and objectives, organizational structure, programs and services of the American Pharmacists Association.
Participate in appropriate staff and leadership meetings of the Association occurring during the experiential opportunity.
Identify and analyze high priority issues in pharmacy practice.
Develop skills in verbal and written communication, information gathering, evaluation, and analysis for use in specific organizational areas.

APPE Program Description

The APhA Experiential Program in Association Management & Leadership is a 4- to 6-week rotation experience at the Headquarters of the American Pharmacists Association in Washington, D.C. The APPE serves as a final-year elective within a school or college of pharmacy's curriculum-based experiential program. Members of APhA staff will serve as preceptors throughout the rotation. Transportation, housing, and all other costs of living are the responsibility, financially and otherwise, of the student.

Our experiential program is designed to be a highly rewarding, unique, and individualized experience. Our diverse range of national programs and services allows us to offer opportunities tailored to the specific interests of each student pharmacist, and to provide a preceptor whose area of expertise can best help the student reach his or her educational goals. As a result of participation in the APhA Experiential Program in Association Management & Leadership, all students will:

Gain an understanding of the mission, goals and objectives, organizational structure, programs and services of the American Pharmacists Association.
Participate in appropriate staff and leadership meetings of the Association occurring during the experiential opportunity.
Identify and analyze high priority issues in pharmacy practice.
Develop skills in verbal and written communication, information gathering, evaluation, and analysis for use in specific organizational areas.

Students will be assigned to one APhA department for the entire APPE experience. Regardless of focus area, all students will have an opportunity to interact with and learn from staff across the Association. Read a brief description of available departments below.

Board of Pharmacy Specialties

The Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS) was established in 1976 as an autonomous division of the American Pharmacists Association (APhA). The mission of BPS is to improve patient care by positioning BPS Board-Certified Pharmacist Specialists as integral members of multidisciplinary healthcare teams, through recognition and promotion of specialized training, knowledge, and skills for pharmacists in the United States and internationally. Board certification is a recognized credential for determining which pharmacists are qualified to contribute at advanced practice levels given the rigorous standards mandated by BPS board certification and recertification. BPS has currently issued more than 55,000 certifications held by pharmacists across 14 specialties.

APhA Executive Office & Governance

The Executive Office and Governance team works with the APhA Board of Trustees, the APhA House of Delegates, and other internal and external stakeholders to develop, maintain, and implement APhA’s strategic plan and APhA policies. The team also coordinates APhA Board of Trustees meetings and events to ensure the advancement of APhA initiatives. Pharmacy students on APPE rotation with the Executive Office will gain exposure and understanding of non-profit governance structures, association management, and the overall APhA policy process.

APhA Pharmacy Practice & Government Affairs

The Pharmacy Practice & Government Affairs teams work closely together to advocate for practices and policies that advance the pharmacy profession. The Pharmacy Practice team collaborates with external stakeholder groups to expand access to pharmacists’ patient care services and is responsible for developing tools and resources related to billing and payment, health information technology, health equity and more. The Government Affairs team monitors and engages in federal legislative and regulatory activities that impact pharmacy and educates pharmacists and student pharmacists on the importance of grassroots advocacy.

APhA Student & New Practitioner Development

The Student & New Practitioner Development team is responsible for all programs that support APhA’s student and new practitioner members, including patient care projects, community outreach events, career and leadership development, and much more. The team also manages several internal and external meetings: the APhA Summer Leadership Institute, APhA Day of NP LIFE, APhA Institute on Substance Use Disorders, and the APhA-ASP Midyear Regional Meetings.

APhA Foundation

Established in 1953, the APhA Foundation has been dedicated to advancing the quality of patient health outcomes through various initiatives such as research, public education, issue forums, and recognition of pharmacy practice. With over 70 years of experience, the Foundation has consistently demonstrated the positive impact of pharmacists on patient health outcomes. Through a plethora of programs and opportunities such as the Incentive Grant Program, Pinnacle Awards, Foundation volunteer committees, numerous research programs, and so much more, the APhA Foundation aims to provide students with a diverse APPE experience and allow for a deeper look into association management.

APhA Education Department

Pharmacy is a continually growing and advancing profession. It is imperative pharmacists and technicians stay up to date on the latest safe and effective medication practices, patient care services, research findings, and other innovative ideas regarding the profession and health care. The Education Department provides pharmacists with numerous options for continuing pharmacy education (CPE) credit and additional certification programs, such as immunization training and diabetes, podcasts and more. In creating and maintaining these resources, the department aims to achieve its goal developing pharmacists and technicians who are well-equipped with the knowledge and materials to provide optimal patient care and service to their patients.

Application & Deadline

Student pharmacists interested in being considered for the APhA APPE Program should submit an application by December 1. Please note that you will be able to create an account for the application system. All application materials, including letters of recommendation, must be received by December 1. Letters of recommendation may included in the form or sent directly to APhA-ASP@aphanet.org. Required materials include:

CV or Resume
Letter of Intent
Letters of Recommendation (Maximum 2)
Acknowledgement of Support from Experiential Director

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Selection Process

APhA staff will review all complete applications. If staff requires more information about your application or interest in the program, phone interviews may be conducted in January. All students will be notified of their placement status by mid February.

Questions

Please contact Tom English, APhA Senior Director, Academic & Member Relations, at tenglish@aphanet.org.

Carl F. Emswiller Summer Internship

The APhA Carl Emswiller Summer Internship in Association Management provides one student the opportunity to gain experience at a national pharmacy association for 8-10 weeks. The internship typically begins in mid- to late-May and ends in mid-July to early-August. All student pharmacists in their professional years of pharmacy school are eligible to apply.

Transportation, housing, and all other costs of living are the responsibility, financially and otherwise of the student. There is a modest stipend involved with the APhA Summer Internship in Association Management.

Application Requirements

A complete package containing the following materials must be submitted:

Letter of intent detailing the following
- Student’s specific interest and goals for internship
- APhA Membership number
- Preferred start and end dates
Current resume or curriculum vitae
Letters of recommendation (minimum of two, maximum of four)
Headshot

All applications must be submitted electronically to APhA-ASP@aphanet.org by January 15. Letters of recommendation may be submitted separately from the other application materials, and should also be sent to APhA-ASP@aphanet.org.

Selection Process

APhA staff will process and review all complete applications. Phone interviews may be conducted. All students will be notified of their placement status by February 15.

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student pharmacists APPE Summer Intern Experiential