American Society of Health Science Pharmacists - Bethesda, MD

APPE Experience Types
Non-Patient Care (Elective)

Region
Washington D.C. Metro Area (Bethesda, MD)

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists – National headquarters

Address
7272 Wisconsin Ave.
Bethesda, MD 20814

Phone
301-664-8823
(Tiona Rodgers –ASHP Pharmacy Student Forum Administrative Assistant)

Main Contact
Marni Williams, PharmD
Director, ASHP Pharmacy Student Forum,
students@ashp.org
301-664-8635

Detailed Site Information

Institution
The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), founded in 1942, is the 36,000 member national professional association that represents pharmacists who practice in hospitals, managed care organizations, long-term care facilities, home care, and other components of health systems. ASHP believes that the mission of pharmacists is to help people make the best use of medications. Assisting pharmacists in fulfilling this mission is ASHP's primary objective.

Institutional Mission Statement and Vision

• ASHP believes that the mission of pharmacists is to help people make the best use of medications.
• The mission of ASHP is to advance and support the professional practice of pharmacists in hospitals and health systems and serve as their collective voice on issues related to medication use and public health.

ASHP dedicates itself to achieving a vision for pharmacy practice in hospitals and health systems in which pharmacists:

• Will significantly enhance patients’ health-related quality of life by exercising leadership in improving both the use of medications by individuals and the overall process of medication use.
• Will manage patient medication therapy and provide related patient care and public health services.
• Will be the primary individuals responsible for medication use and drug distribution systems.
• Will be recognized as patient care providers and sought out by patients to help them achieve the most benefit from their therapy.
• Will take a leadership role to continuously improve and redesign the medication-use process with the goal of achieving significant advances in 

(a) patient safety,
(b) health-related outcomes,
(c) prudent use of humanresources, and
(d) efficiency

• Will lead evidence-based medication use programs to implement best practices.
• Will have an image among patients, health professionals, administrators, and public policy makers as caring and compassionate medication-use experts.

Pharmacy Services
There are over 220 staff members at ASHP. Approximately 1/3 are pharmacists.

Professionalism and Assessment
Midterm and final grading by primary preceptor

Resources
Students are provided with a desk with locking drawers, office supplies, computer with internet access, and a phone. The building has a lunch room with a microwave, refrigerator, and vending machines. A plethora of restaurants are within walking distance. Parking is available below the building for a fee (currently $10/day). ASHP is accessible via public transportation. The metro system Red Line train station is two blocks north.

ASHP offers a competitive elective rotation in national association management to students pursuing a degree in pharmacy. The program is designed to provide experience in such areas as:

• Association activities and operations
• Professional and public affairs
• Publications and drug information systems
• Student affairs
• Membership and organizational affairs
• Marketing
• Governmental affairs
• Product Development

The rotation schedule is designed to be four to six weeks in duration. Rotations are offered throughout the year, with the exception of the months of June and December. The rotation is intended to be an elective feature of a college of pharmacy's curriculum-based experiential program. Requests to participate must be coordinated through the experiential program staff of the school or college.

Non-Patient Care (Elective) 

Primary Preceptor
Marni D. Williams, Pharm.D.
Director, Pharmacy Student Forum
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists®
7272 Wisconsin Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
Tel: 301-664-8635
Fax: 301-634-5735
www.ashp.org

Preceptors
Members of ASHP staff serve as preceptors within their areas of expertise.

Educational Opportunities
Upon completing the program, the extern will:

1. Understand the mission, goals and objectives, organizational structure, operations and programs of ASHP in serving its membership;
2. Gain a broader perspective of the issues that impact and affect the mission and vision of the pharmacy profession;
3. Articulate the importance of pharmacy associations to the profession and the value of participation in local, state, and national pharmacy organizations;
4. Define the full range of association activities (e.g. publications, governmental affairs,educational services, and professional activities);
5. Enhance skills in leadership, critical analysis, public policy, verbal and written communication, networking, and information gathering, evaluation, and analysis for use in specific organizational areas.

Other Requirements
ASHP is able to host 4-8 students annually. Selection of a student for participation is based on evaluation of the application materials submitted. ASHP reserves the right to refuse, with sufficient notice, the request of any student to participate in the rotation in the event of significant organizational scheduling conflicts which would interfere with the quality of the student's rotation experience.

Students interested in the ASHP Experiential Education should be enrolled in a full-time pharmacy program and be in good academic standing. The applicant shall have demonstrated involvement in professional programs and organizational activities. The applicant must be self-motivated and have exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

The student is responsible for transportation, housing, and all other expenses association with the rotation. ASHP does not provide a stipend or salary with the rotation.

Admission into the program is competitive. Application materials can be accessed at:
http://www.ashp.org/Import/ABOUTUS/Careers/ResidenciesInternships
Externships/ASHPExperientialExternshipProgram.aspx