IPA Rotation

The Iowa Pharmacy Association’s (IPA) specialty practicum is designed to allow students the opportunity to gain knowledge and insight into a professional association management environment.

Highlights of the IPA Rotation

• Exposure to the areas of public affairs and business development, professional and educational affairs, organizational and administrative affairs, and clinical and quality assurance services
• Utilization of writing skills based on scientific and professional literature and personal interviews
• Professional development and leadership opportunities
• The opportunity to plan and develop educational programs for pharmacists, students, technicians, and the public
• The chance to help advance the profession of pharmacy through policy work
• Development as an advocate for the profession through legislative activities and other governmental interactions

Rotation Goals

• Provide students with first-hand knowledge about a career in association management
• Expose students to “non-traditional” practice settings
• Assist students in better understanding the importance of professionalism and involvement in professional and leadership activities

What will I do?

• Work 8:00-4:30 pm Monday through Friday.
• Attend all meetings that occur during the rotation time (e.g., IPA staff, committees, task forces, and Board of Directors meetings and conferences; legislative committee hearings; Board of Pharmacy meetings; and other meetings related to pharmacy activities).
• During the first week, meet with each of the full-time pharmacists on staff and learn about all facets of the association.
• Write articles about topics such as therapeutic breakthroughs, clinical practices, and outstanding IPA members for publication in The Journal of the Iowa Pharmacy Association.
• Evaluate a Remington or Whitney Award winner presentation.
• Complete other projects in selected areas of focus.

Rotation Competencies

Upon completion of this rotation, students should demonstrate proficiency with:
 
Professional Communications and Interaction

• Present paper(s) and/or project(s) to staff in a professional manner.
• Ask pertinent and relevant questions for obtaining adequate information before formulating an answer.
• Respond to information requests and project assignments in a timely manner.
• Exhibit professional demeanor, presentation and behavior when representing IPA or the profession of pharmacy.
• Interact professionally with IPA professional and administrative staff.
• Listen to and appropriately react to constructive comments.

 
Life-Long Learning

• Comprehend and utilize appropriate methods for discovering new knowledge.
• Provide examples of pharmacy’s role in an evolving healthcare environment.
• Understand IPA’s role in the continuing education process by reviewing the process of obtaining CE credit, identifying a topic for a CE program or reviewing re-licensure requirements.

 
Value and Ethics

• Accept and understand duties and responsibilities for patient care.
• Make decisions consistent with current ethical and legal standards of the profession.
• Understand the importance of educating patients as well as other health care providers about the role of the pharmacist.

 
Writing Skills

• Write an article suitable for publication.
• Exhibit a professional writing style.
• Demonstrate correct use of bibliography and citations.
• Demonstrate appropriate research techniques.

 
Professional Affairs

• Understand the importance of professionalism and leadership by participating in IPA’s interaction with its members, committees, boards and other organizations.
• Understand the importance of pharmacy technicians and the issues surrounding their utilization.

 
Public Affairs

• Understand the role of practitioner-based (or student-based) grassroots political action.
• Develop advocacy (letters, e-mail, etc.) to send to legislators or regulators on issues that are of importance to the extern.
• Understand IPA’s policy development process and House of Delegates structure and function.

 
IPA Structure

• Understand the different departments within IPA and their purpose.
• Review IPA’s relation to its Board and other organizations.
• Understand IPA’s associated companies and their significance.
• Understand why professional organizations exist and why membership and involvement are important.
• Understand the role of professional associations in representing and advocating for pharmacy.

 
Pharmacy students interested in Iowa Pharmacy Association (IPA) rotations should coordinate directly with their college's experiential education office. Because these Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) or elective rotations require formal affiliation agreements, school staff handle the official placement.
 
If you are a local student, you can reach out to your university's experiential staff to verify availability, get rotation details, and ensure all prerequisites are met:
 

• Drake University: Contact the Experiential Education Office at exp.cphs@drake.edu or call (515) 271-3191.
• The University of Iowa: Contact the Professional Experience Program at lorin-fisher@uiowa.edu or call (319) 467-1048.

 
What an IPA Rotation Involves
Hosted in Urbandale, IA, the IPA rotation provides an in-depth look at association management. Students work on projects related to:
 

• Public affairs and business development
• Health policy and advocacy
• Professional and educational affairs