Anyone Do any Volunteer Work in the Tampa,Fl area?

[sargepharm]

I have been trying to get some hospital pharmacy experience by volunteering at a hospital but it has been very frustrating. I called Tampa General and spoke with the pharmacy director and she had me call HR who told me I could not volunteer in the Pharmacy because of wage laws??? I also tried to contact the Director of Pharmacy at Brandon Hospital and he never returned my phone call. Has anyone volunteered in this area or know of any hospitals that accept volunteers for the pharmacy.


Thanks,
Frustrated in Florida

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[Glycerin]

I have been trying to get some hospital pharmacy experience by volunteering at a hospital but it has been very frustrating. I called Tampa General and spoke with the pharmacy director and she had me call HR who told me I could not volunteer in the Pharmacy because of wage laws??? I also tried to contact the Director of Pharmacy at Brandon Hospital and he never returned my phone call. Has anyone volunteered in this area or know of any hospitals that accept volunteers for the pharmacy.


Thanks,
Frustrated in Florida

Dear Frustrated in Florida 😛 ,

I'm not sure of any volunteer work in pharmacies in this area. I'm sure there are some, but you'll just have to call around. I work at a hospital pharmacy, so I spend my volunteer time at the Humane Society of North Pinellas and with events for the kids at the hospital where I work. Sorry I couldn't be more help.

 

[BlackBeansRice]

I had the same problem as you. I tried going to different hospitals to volunteer, but was turned away. I talked to a few more people and they suggested that I get a Pharm Tech cert, this way the hospitals would not be so hesitant. For legal reasons they were not willing to take on a volunteer, with no documented training and they were not interested in giving on the job training. I am currently pursuing my Pharm Tech cert and I was also able to get a little experience volunteering at a few free clinics and shelters around Pasco and Hillsborough county. I mostly checked supplies and delivered packages, but it is some experience.

 

[kwakster928]

i do not live in FL but finding internship or volunteering at hospital pharmacy will be extremely tough unless you have pharm tech certificate or at least some pharmacy experience. only reason i was able to have some experience in my hospital's pharmacy was because i was an employee and my dept director had pull some strings to get me in. pharamcy at hospital is almost busy as retail not more. it is unfortunate but pharmacy director calling you back is last thing on their list. if you are lucky enough to get the volunteering experience you won't be able to anything other than watching or stocking inventory, just because of legal issues. i did most of watching just shadowing the pharmacist, putting lables etc, but experience is experience. keep on trying. if you are persistant they will eventually call you. also try to call the volunteering office at the hospital directly. you might get better result by calling them rather than calling the director of pharmacy. dont forget to explain to them(volunteering office) your intentions and what you want to volounteer for. otherwise you will be pushing old people's wheel chair all day. good luck.

 

[Trancelucent1]

My friend volunteered at All Children's on the USF campus. She was a USF student and called up and was able to work in the pharmacy department after a few weeks. Most of the pre-med students volunteer there so they have quite a few volunteer positions available. You might not be able to get into the pharmacy right away but after a few weeks, you should be able to get in. Good luck!


~Pam