Pharmacy Internship Program - Pharmacy Services

An intern on the phone at a computer in the pharmacy work room in the emergency department at UVA Health's University Hospital — ^{Medication Histories in the Emergency Department}

The University of Virginia Health System (UVAHS) consists of the Medical Center and approximately 50 acquired practice sites. The Medical Center is a 600-bed facility serving a primarily rural population in Central Virginia. It features an electronic medical record, computerized physician order entry, barcode medication administration, extensive ambulatory care services, a level one trauma center, a variety of innovative health services, as well as advanced intern and pharmacy technician roles. The Department of Pharmacy Services provides decentralized dispensing and clinical services. It also operates pharmacist-run outpatient clinics and an outpatient dispensing pharmacy.

An intern processing pharmaceuticals at a Talyst carousel in the inpatient pharmacy at UVA Health's University Hospital — ^{Pharmacy systems and technology}

The Department of Pharmacy is committed to the education and professional development of pharmacists, pharmacy students, and pharmacy technicians. The internship program is designed to supplement the classroom experience by allowing the student to develop competencies in pharmacy practice while working at UVAHS. The program provides interns with health-system pharmacy experiences that integrate specialized clinical pharmacy practice with hospital dispensing operations.

An intern checking emergency response boxes in the inpatient pharmacy at UVA Health's University Hospital — ^{Inpatient pharmacy medication distribution}

Goals and Objectives

Pharmacy Interns will be able to:

Describe the organizational structure of pharmacy services at UVAHS
Identify current standards of care and the role of the pharmacist, pharmacy intern, and pharmacy technician within health systems
Understand and participate in the distribution process for the inpatient and outpatient pharmacies
Identify processes that help to ensure continuity of direct patient care across health care delivery settings
Establish a collaborative working relationship with healthcare providers both within the Department of Pharmacy and throughout UVAHS
Establish a collaborative professional pharmacist patient relationship
Utilize knowledge gained from pharmacy education to participate in patient-care activities
Document patient-care activities appropriately

Qualifications

Enrolled in a Doctor of Pharmacy program
Eligible for licensure in Virginia as a Pharmacy Intern (must be licensed prior to training)

An intern checking pharmaceuticals in the clean room at UVA Health's University Hospital — ^{IV Room Sterile Compounding}

Application Process

Internship positions will open annually; we typically recruit in early spring
Qualified students should apply online and submit a resume/CV and letter of intent
Applications will be screened by supervisors and interviews for select candidates will be conducted with program staff upon receipt of all application materials

For questions, please contact Katelyn Hipwell:

Katelyn Hipwell, PharmD, MPH
Manager, Pharmacy Education, Training, and Development Services
Director, PGY1-Pharmacy Residency Program
Director Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy-UVA Division
kmp4s@uvahealth.org