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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 interaction

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
  • Interacts professionally with IPA professional and administrative staff
  • Listens to and appropriately reacts 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 the 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 the IPA’s associated companies and their significance
  • Understand why professional organizations exist and why membership/involvement are important
  • Understand the role of professional associations in representing and advocating for pharmacy