Many of us began our journey with ASHP as pharmacy students involved in our school’s Student Society of Health-system Pharmacy (SSHP). As students, we benefited from the career resources, networking opportunities, and residency preparation resources. I remember the vital role that ASHP and my school’s SSHP played in my preparation for residency training. From leadership opportunities to navigating The Match process, I had an abundance of resources and support from ASHP. After obtaining a job or completing residency, many of us begin to reevaluate our involvement in organizations. Which organizations offer benefits that meet my current needs? What is the return on investment with maintaining a membership with this organization? As a new practitioner in Ambulatory Care pharmacy, I found that ASHP’s mission and goals aligned with my career goals and my vision for the future of pharmacy. Below are a few of the ASHP resources I find valuable. Feel free to comment on this post with the ASHP resources you love and what resources you hope to see ASHP offer in the future.
- ASHP offers a variety of continuing education courses to meet the needs of pharmacists in any practice area. Check out the continuing education website for more information: http://www.ashp.org/menu/Education/Continuing-Education
- The New Practitioners Forum offers many resources for pharmacists in the first years of their career. This period of transition has unique challenges and the forum provides new practitioners with opportunities for professional development and networking. Learn more about everything the New Practitioners Forum has to offer at http://www.ashp.org/menu/MemberCenter/SectionsForums/NPF.aspx.
- Pharmacy is changing at an unprecedented pace. New developments in practice guidelines, drug development, and pharmacy practice are occurring faster than most of us can keep up. The ASHP Daily Briefing email helps me stay up-to-date with the newest developments in pharmacy practice. More information on ASHP Daily Briefing emails can be found at http://www.ashp.org/menu/MemberCenter/Benefits/DailyBriefing.
- Advocacy is vital to the profession of pharmacy in the current healthcare environment. With unprecedented change happening in healthcare, it’s important that pharmacists are speaking out about the vital role we play on the healthcare team. ASHP’s Government Affairs staff works every day to ensure that patients benefit from the expertise of a pharmacist. Learn more about ASHP’s advocacy agenda and how you can get involved at http://www.ashp.org/menu/Advocacy.aspx.
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The Career Transitions center offers a multitude of resources for new practitioners. From financial planning to board certification, the center can help new practitioners navigate many of the challenges faced in the first years of our pharmacy careers. Find out all that the Career Transitions center has to offer at http://www.ashp.org/menu/MemberCenter/SectionsForums/NPF/Career-Transitions.html.