The Pharmacy Department at Deaconess is dedicated to educating and developing future pharmacists. The Pharmacy Department consists of approximately 100 pharmacists and 100 technicians who staff multiple locations throughout the health system, including 3 inpatient hospitals, oncology infusion center, The Women’s Hospital, and several ambulatory clinics.
The pharmacy internship program provides students with the opportunity to experience a broad scope of services and be prepared for a hospital-based career. It is also guided by our mission and vision statements.
Pharmacy Department Mission: Be an innovative team that safely and efficiently provides quality medication therapy and outcomes to the patients and communities we serve.
Pharmacy Department Vision: Be the regional leader in medication therapy by providing safe, quality, and cost-effective programs that ensure proper medication use and will improve the health of our employees, patients, and community.
Program Description
The pharmacy internship program consists of paid, supplemental positions with the expectation of each intern will work a minimum of 30 hours per week for at least 8 weeks of the summer with a commitment of at least 2 summers. The interns may work up to 40 hours per week during the summer months. Additional hours could be worked over holiday breaks and other breaks. Applicants will be accepted in November/December of each year so candidates can interview over their winter break. This will allow the interns to start as soon as they return from summer break in May. The interns will be invited back during their school breaks and the following summers until graduation.
The total number of interns will vary each year, with the goal being 1-2 interns per year in school. The number of interns hired each year is dependent on how many return from previous years. The breakdown is as follows:
| Year of School |
Number of Positions |
| Pre-Pharmacy Years 1 and 2 |
1-2 |
| Pharmacy Year 1 |
1-2 |
| Pharmacy Year 2 |
1-2 |
| Pharmacy Year 3 |
1-2 |
Applicant Requirements
- Each applicant must be enrolled in a Doctorate of Pharmacy program in a College of Pharmacy that is ACPE accredited or seeking accreditation, unless student is a pre-pharmacy student. Pre-pharmacy students must be enrolled in a university with the goal of enrolling in a Doctorate of Pharmacy program in a College of Pharmacy that is ACPE accredited or seeking accreditation.
- Eligible for licensure as a pharmacy technician-in-training, pharmacy technician, or pharmacy intern. Applications must be submitted upon acceptance into the Deaconess Internship Program.
Application Requirements
- Letter of intent and curriculum vitae sent to Michelle Schymik (contact info below) discussing your reasons for pursuing an internship at Deaconess and why you are interested in hospital-based pharmacy.
- Completion of the online application at Deaconess.com/careers
A phone or face-to-face interview will be conducted for selected applicants. All applicants will be notified of either acceptance or denial into the internship program.
Objectives
The objectives of the pharmacy internship program include:
- Work in operations to understand all features of medication ordering, stocking, compounding, delivery, distribution, administration and inventory management.
- Shadow clinical pharmacists to understand how they provide and impact patient care while working cooperatively with other disciplines.
- Participate in discussions and case studies that reinforce and expand on classroom education.
- Assist with departmental projects that have an impact on practice and present to staff.
Curriculum
Below is a breakdown of what can be expected each year as a pharmacy student intern. Activities may be adjusted based on the needs of the organization while taking the student’s interests into consideration.
Pre-Pharmacy Years 1 and 2
- Train and work full time as a technician in non-sterile areas
- Shadow technician roles in specialty areas such as Women’s Hospital, Oncology Infusion, or Surgery Satellite
Pharmacy Year 1
- Train and work as a technician in non-sterile areas
- Shadow operations pharmacists in Order Entry and IV Room
- Shadow clinical pharmacists on non-ICU units
- Assist with projects as needed
Pharmacy Year 2
- Train and work as a technician in sterile and non-sterile areas
- Shadow clinical pharmacists on ICU and non-ICU units
- Train and work in Medication History Technician role
- Complete at least one of the following: disease state topic discussions, journal club, or patient case
- Assist with projects as needed
Pharmacy Years 3 and 4
- Train and work as a technician in sterile and non-sterile areas
- Shadow pharmacists in specialty areas (oncology, ambulatory care, surgery, antimicrobial stewardship and The Women’s Hospital)
- Work in Medication History Technician role
- Complete at least two of the following: disease state topic discussions, journal club, or patient case
- Complete at least five medication counseling sessions with pharmacist oversight
- Attempt to see a cardiac procedure (non-invasive or cath lab)
- Present a change at Pharmacy, Therapeutic, and Diagnostics meeting if possible
- Assist with projects as needed
Please contact Michelle Schymik or Bob Scheller with any additional questions.
Michelle Schymik, PharmD, BCPS Bob Scheller
Clinical Lead Pharmacist Human Resources Generalist
Deaconess Health System Pharmacy Recruiter
4011 Gateway Boulevard Deaconess Health System
Newburgh, IN 47630 600 Mary St.
Michelle.Schymik@deaconess.com Evansville, IN 47747