Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about this opportunity from some of our current Pharmacy Interns!

Current Pharmacy Interns provide their perspectives on our program.

 

Q: How many pharmacy intern positions are available, and in which areas of pharmacy practice?

  • We have a total of 26 pharmacy internship positions, with 13 interns in one year of the program and 12 interns in the other year of the program.  Pharmacy interns practice in multiple areas of practice in our Department, including inpatient adult practice, inpatient pediatric practice, ambulatory care/outpatient pharmacy, infusion pharmacy, oral chemotherapy, research pharmacy/investigational drug service, transitions of care, specialty pharmacy, and medication use policy

Q: What are the key requirements and expectations for the Intern Program?

  • Pharmacy Interns are expected to commit to the internship for 2 years starting at the conclusion of the P-1 year, and then concluding at the end of the P-3 year
    • Interns will be expected to work full-time in the summers (40 hours/week), which begins the first Monday in May, and concludes on Labor Day or the day before the first day of Fall Term classes
    • Interns will then be expected to work at least 32 hours/month during the academic year (can be scheduled as full shifts or partial shifts, depending on the work area and the student's academic commitments)
  • Work will include rotating shifts, including every other weekend, one summer holiday, and one winter holiday (in areas that operate on weekends and holidays)
  • During the first summer/year, Pharmacy Intern activities will be primarily staffing in the core work area to learn the work and day-to-day responsibilities
  • During the second summer/year, Pharmacy Interns will continue staffing in their core area, but will also have dedicated project time in various areas of practice
  • In general, during the first year of the program (as a "Junior Intern"), you will learn more about the operational aspects and workflow of pharmacy practice in your area, and then will transition to more advanced functions and project activities in the second year of the program (as a "Senior Intern")

Q: What do you expect from a Pharmacy Intern team member?

  • One of the most important aspects of our mission includes providing safe, effective and cost-efficient medication therapy to patients.  We always strive to put patients and families first, and patient safety is a top priority. 
  • In order for Pharmacy Interns to support this, there are a number of key skills and attributes that we look for in successful applicants.  These include, but are not limited to:
    • Accuracy
    • Attention to detail
    • Ability to work efficiently
    • Motivation
    • Flexibility
    • Ability to adapt to change
    • Ability to prioritize tasks
    • Teamwork
    • Excellent communication skills and problem-solving skills
  • In addition, successful applicants must be enrolled in the pharmacy curriculum and have a current valid Michigan Pharmacy Intern License.

Q: Will I receive training?

  • Yes, all interns will receive appropriate training. For junior interns (first year), the employee on-boarding and training period is approximately 6-weeks; however, this can be customized based on an individual employee's needs. The first week includes some general orientation and training sessions.  The second week includes some "core" baseline training in our employee training center.  You will have an opportunity to meet with various leaders across our Department as we welcome you to the team.  Activities during the subsequent 4 weeks focus on area-specific training.
  • Senior interns (2nd year) will receive additional training as needed/requested.

Q: Is prior pharmacy experience required?

  • Definitely not!  While prior pharmacy or healthcare experience can be beneficial, it is not required for the internship program.

Q: What other opportunities are available during the Intern Program?

  • There are many opportunities as an intern, including (but not limited to):
    • Job shadowing experiences (Junior interns = guaranteed up to 2 paid job shadow experiences during the summer; Senior Interns = guaranteed up to 4 paid job shadow experiences during the summer)
    • Intern Leadership Development sessions throughout the year
    • Leadership opportunities as Chief Intern
    • Final project for all Senior interns
    • Opportunities to work on other projects as the need arises across internship
    • Network and build professional relationships with pharmacists in many areas of Health-System Pharmacy practice
    • Clinical experiences across many areas
    • Potential publications
    • Collaboration with residents
    • Guided mentorship program

Q: Do I have any time off during summer?

  • During the summer, you can take up to 8 non-paid days off. Some departments also allow additional time off due to major holidays (Memorial Day or Fourth of July).
  • Each team has its own procedure regarding how to request time off and what holidays are considered non-working, and Pharmacy Interns are expected to follow the same process as other team members (unless otherwise instructed by your supervisor).

Q: How much will I be paid during the internship?

  • Our employee compensation is competitive with the market, and we use a model to determine starting salaries for all employees. 
  • Pharmacy interns receive credit for 1 year of experience (for completing 1 year of pharmacy school), and then receive a pay increase after the first year (credit for completing 1 additional year of pharmacy school).  

Q: What does a "typical" day look like for a Pharmacy Intern on your team?

  • Pharmacy Interns practice in several different roles in a variety of different settings across Michigan Medicine.  Pharmacy Interns’ responsibilities are focused on ensuring optimal medication effectiveness and safety of medications used throughout the institution and across the medication use cycle.   
  • Key Pharmacy Intern responsibilities include, but are not limited to (and may differ between teams/areas):
    • Preparing oral medication dosage forms
    • Preparing compounded sterile products and chemotherapy
    • Preparing and packaging non-sterile compounded pharmaceutical products
    • Assisting with use of automated dispensing cabinets (e.g., Pyxis®), stocking and managing medication inventory
    • Preparing and delivering investigational medications per research protocols
    • Responding to telephone inquiries
    • Communicating with nurses and other members of the healthcare team
    • Reviewing and developing policies and procedures
    • Assisting pharmacist and pharmacy technician team members with patient care-related work, and other duties and projects as assigned

Q: Can I volunteer to pick up extra shifts during the summer and/or school year?

  • Absolutely! This is not required, but if shifts are available and you are trained in that area, you are free to volunteer for additional shifts.

Q: What are some of the challenges in this Pharmacy Internship?

  • In order to provide safe, effective and cost-efficient medication therapy to patients and to be successful as a Pharmacy Intern with our team, individuals must learn to work and communicate effectively with a team, communicate effectively with other healthcare professionals, complete tasks efficiently and accurately with attention to detail, prioritize work and tasks, display flexibility and adapt to changes, and reflect on and incorporate feedback to improve.

Q: What is required with my application? When are applications due?

  • You will apply via the application form link on this page: https://www.medicine.umich.edu/dept/pharmacy/pharmacy-students/apply-int...  
  • You will receive the official announcement that the application is open (usually around mid-late September); applications will be due around mid-late October (exact deadlines/timeline TBD each year).
  • In order to apply, you should complete the online information and application, which will include:
    • Identifying positions/areas to which you want to apply
    • Letter of intent
    • Updated curriculum vitae
    • Video interview responding to 2 standard questions (</= 5 minutes)
    • Two (2) letters of recommendation, with at least one preferably from a previous or current supervisor; these will be submitted separately (confidentially) to the Pharmacy Internship Program Director - Mike Kraft, PharmD, BCNSP 

Q: Who should I contact if I have additional questions that are not addressed via the website?

Contact any of the following:

 

You can also learn more about working at Michigan at the following website:
http://umjobs.org/why_michigan/working_at_michigan/
The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employee
http://www.hr.umich.edu/oie/ndpolicy.html