Volunteer Work

[StargirlRx]

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I was just wonder what types of volunteer work you have done over the past few years. What type of volunteer work looks good on applications? Where should I look to volunteer?

 

[sle3pyguii]

I just started volunteering at the Med Center in the Emergency Dept. Great place to volunteer at.

I guess volunteering at the Pharmacy would be a good idea so you can gain some pharmacy exp., but I don't think there is a 100% best volunteer position.

 

[Rumplestiltazepam]

Hospitals are always looking for volunteers and always looks good on an application but trying to get a volunteer position at a pharmacy is definitely the best thing you could get!
I have volunteered at school blood drives and sexual awareness programs, both good things to get involved with. I also volunteer tutor for Ochem and Biology. In the summers I coach youth baseball. I think health related volunteering is the best thing but volunteering in your community will make you look well rounded in my opinion.

Volunteering at an Assisted living center is something to look into.

Hospitals and Assisted living facilities are always looking for volunteers....assisted living facilities are fun to volunteer at, I just played checkers and listened to stories. One time I spent close to 2 hours attempting to explain to an elderly woman what the internet exactly was and how it worked, I really didn't get anywhere with that one....lol

 

[Klemmentine]

I work at a retail pharmacy, so I thought it would be pointless and boring to volunteer at one. I'd like to volunteer at a hopsital pharmacy, but it's really difficult around here to find volunteer work at hospitals.

With that said, I found a really good volunteer job at a local blood bank. I help out with blood drives and I work in their quality assurance department. I pull patient files, make patient files, check files for errors, etc. I've learned a lot about the requirements and regulations the blood center must follow. I like it and the job goes along with my health science major.

I only volunteer about 3 hours a week.

 

[triplerox]

is it better to volunteer in a hospital's pharmacy or just the hospital? Also, how important is research when it comes to pharmacy? Where can i go to find volunteer work thats good for pharmacy?

 

[besh]

am from houston tx and am trying to accumulate volunteer work in a pharmacy but no luck yet hospitals have good opportunities but i havent had any luck to secure a position in a pharmacy anybody has ideas please share

 

[pengui]

I volunteer at Kaiser Riverside outpatient pharmacy, in California. And it was relatively easy to get. But I know a lot of Kaiser Hospitals do not like volunteers in their pharmacy department so if you want to volunteer at Kaiser, find their volunteer office and see if they allow volunteers in the pharmacy. My interviewer at USC was actually impressed a little that I was actually a volunteer at Kaiser, but don't know how far that will me (still waiting to hear back from them). Also, at least for my Kaiser, I heard it's easier to get a job at Kaiser like sales assistant position, if you've done volunteer work at that pharmacy. So I definitely would recommend Kaiser. If not, any volunteer work somewhere is better than no work at all, right?

 

[pillpshr]

have you tried looking into a free clinic? that has a more retail like feeling and i'm not sure if retail pharmacies like walgreens and cvs accept volunteers.

i currently work in hospital pharmacy and we had a volunteer. it was more like busy work...help with pre-pack and monthly inspections. it's probably not like that everywhere so you might want to ask what you would do. from there, you can decide what best suits you.

 

[StargirlRx]

I already work for a retail pharmacy, so that looks great, since I'm still in high school, but I have no volunteer experience. I was thinking of starting this summer. What does volunteer work at a hospital pharmacy consist of exactly?

 

[sle3pyguii]

I already work for a retail pharmacy, so that looks great, since I'm still in high school, but I have no volunteer experience. I was thinking of starting this summer. What does volunteer work at a hospital pharmacy consist of exactly?

Eh? If you already work in a pharmacy, what's the point of volunteering in one? Isn't it basically the same thing except in different settings (hospital and retail)?

 

[Quiksilver]

having experiences in different pharmacy settings would be an awsome advantage to have

 

[pillpshr]

I already work for a retail pharmacy, so that looks great, since I'm still in high school, but I have no volunteer experience. I was thinking of starting this summer. What does volunteer work at a hospital pharmacy consist of exactly?

it depends on the hospital and more importantly, the director. if you call/e-mail and let them know your situation and interest, maybe you will get a lot out of this experince. ask what they have to offer. a few things that pop into my head: maybe they will let you shadow a clinical pharmacist, visit a satellite pharmacy on floors and see what they do (if they have any), compound drugs since you're certified i'm assuming, help out in the front with pre-pack and go with techs to deliver meds. i'm not too sure if you can make IVs since they changed policies and procedures nationwide.

i think this will help you see a different ennvironment, hear different lingo, see drugs you'll never see outside a hospital (we identify a drug with its generic name) and maybe this is something you could be interested in doing in the future.

hope this helps

 

[eelo]

having experiences in different pharmacy settings would be an awsome advantage to have

I don't know..... I get the impression that the interview boards are looking for the type of volunteer work that demonstrates a committment to the community, and not so much a committment to one's own personal agenda of becoming a pharmacist. For example, someone who spends 5 hours a week doing animal therapy with Alzheimer's patients, or who does construction/rehabilitation/home repair/Habitat, or who organizes Relay for Life, or who gives two weeks every summer to Special Olympics, that sort of thing, shows a true concern for the lives and welfare of others, and a committment to making the community a better place for all its inhabitants.

That's just my opinion- others' mileage may vary.

 

[Quiksilver]

good point but i must say, if you can discuss this at all during your application process and tie in the patient care thing it can be a vital asset. I mean you don't need to spend months volunteering here, but to have another perspective would be nice

 

[StargirlRx]

So what you guys are saying is that experience in different pharmacy settings is nice, but it would be wise to volunteer in a hospital or humane society instead??

 

[browneyes021]

I've done volunteer work at a charity pharmacy. I wasn't allowed in the actual pharmacy without a license, but I was able to see the interaction between the pharmacists and those receiving medication. I was also being trained to be a screener, but then I had to go back to school... I also volunteered in a hospital in waiting rooms.