Benefits
The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) is the organization whose members are recognized in society as essential in all patient care settings for optimal medication use that improves health, wellness, and quality of life. Through information, education, and advocacy APhA empowers its members to improve medication use and advance patient care by:
- Providing timely and accurate information that is vital to our members.
- Raising societal awareness about the role of pharmacists as essential in patient care for optimal medication use.
- Providing state-of-the-art resources to enhance our members’ continuing professional development.
- Educating and influencing legislators, policy makers, regulators, and the public to advance our vision and mission.
- Creating unique opportunities for our members to connect and share with their peers across practice settings.
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Student Membership Benefits
Each year, thousands of student pharmacists join APhA because of the unmatched roster of membership benefits and services. While on campus, off on rotations, or after graduation, APhA benefits are designed to meet the high demands of a growing profession, with resources and information available in print and online – accessible 24 hours a day.
Some of the benefits and the advantages for members are:
(1) pharmacist.com - As the ultimate Internet destination for pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians, APhA-ASP members gain immediate entry to this powerful tool with which they will be able to access members-only resources and benefits online.
(2) APhA Midyear Regional Meetings and the Annual Meeting & Exposition - The APhA-ASP Midyear Regional Meetings (MRMs) are held each fall exclusively for student pharmacists in eight cities across the country; the MRMs expose participants to career options, legislative issues affecting the profession, chapter development activities, and other topics of particular interest to students.
The APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition provides APhA-ASP members the opportunity to participate in discussions on contemporary issues, elect APhA-ASP leaders, and enhance their career opportunities while meeting colleagues from across the nation and around the world. APhA 2009 was in San Antonio, TX, April 3-6.
(3) Career Development - APhA-ASP offers dozens of programs throughout the year to help students understand and evaluate the pharmacy career options available and to connect with respected employers in all practice settings.
The APhA Employment Exchange is held during the APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition and offers students the opportunity to interview with companies from all over the United States.
The Midyear Regional Meetings (MRMs) feature a program called the APhA-ASP MRM Career Opportunities Showcase. The exhibit gives student pharmacists the opportunity to meet with representatives from the pharmaceutical industry and potential employers from various practice and educational settings to learn about career opportunities and receive valuable information on new and existing health care products and services.
(4) Pharmacy News and Information - Members of APhA-ASP receive print subscriptions to Pharmacy Today and Student Pharmacist and MEMBERS-ONLYaccess to the online Journal of the American Pharmacists Association (JAPhA). Pharmacy Today, APhA’s monthly newsmagazine, features extensive coverage of advances in medications, therapies, and patient care. Student Pharmacist, mailed six times a year, is the ONLY magazine dedicated to issues affecting the student pharmacist. Pharmacy news and information can also be found on pharmacist.com - the ultimate Internet destination for the pharmacy professional. With daily news updates, drugs and disease information, and career guidance, pharmacist.com is a one-stop resource for the student pharmacist.
(5) Leadership Opportunities - APhA-ASP gives members the opportunity to chair committees, serve as chapter officers, serve in the APhA-ASP House of Delegates, or become regional or national APhA-ASP officers. APhA provides many chances for students to serve their chosen profession and develop leadership skills that can be used in the community and in the profession.
(6) Personal and Professional Growth - Through involvement in APhA-ASP, members have the opportunity to participate in professional service projects, turn ideas into results, and develop skills not traditionally part of the academic curriculum, such as organizing people and resources. APhA-ASP also offers opportunities to network with colleagues while meeting new people and developing long-lasting friendships.
(7) A Loud Voice Shaping…
…Our Community - APhA-ASP chapters provide members opportunities to be involved on campus and in the community. Informative meetings, health fairs, socials, pharmaceutical care projects, fundraisers, elections, membership drives, and community education are just some of the activities in which chapter members can participate.
…Our Profession - Students play an active role in shaping APhA policy by submitting proposals for consideration by the APhA-ASP House of Delegates. The APhA-ASP House of Delegates makes recommendations on vital issues affecting the profession and especially on issues affecting students.
…Our Nation - APhA monitors legislative activities on matters that affect the future of all APhA-ASP members, such as health care reform and student financial aid. APhA also represents pharmacy’s interests before Congress and federal regulatory agencies.
…Our World - APhA-ASP is a full member organization of the International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation (IPSF). Members of APhA-ASP are automatically members of IPSF, giving students the opportunity to participate in the international student exchange programs and attend the IPSF Annual Congress.
(8) Buying Power through…
…Discounts on Textbooks and Educational Materials - With more than 100 resources to choose from, APhA-ASP members receive discounts on the most popular textbooks and references in pharmacy. And ordering from APhA is easy! APhA-ASP members can order online at pharmacist.com, or order through APhA’s publication sales department at 1-800-878-0729. Online orders made by APhA-ASP members are automatically tracked and goes toward awards the chapter can earn. Student members can receive discounted shipping on orders made via phone, fax, or mail when the chapter name (or code) is provided.
…Professional liability coverage - This policy offers coverage for all pharmacy work experiences, including rotations through school, part-time pharmacy positions, and internships. All APhA-ASP members can purchase liability insurance policies at discounted rates as low as $29.
One of the most important APhA-ASP membership benefits for 2009 graduates is FREE professional liability insurance. APhA will provide $1 million/$3 million dollar coverage at no cost to all 2009 graduates who are APhA-ASP members in their last year of pharmacy school and do not currently hold a license to practice pharmacy.
To obtain proof of coverage (Certificate of Insurance), contact Healthcare Provider Services Organization (HPSO) Blanket Division at 800-986-4627.
…Other Insurance Programs - Affinity Insurance Services, Inc. is the administrator for the APhA endorsed Life, Accident and Health Insurance program. Coverage is only available to APhA members (and their eligible spouses). To learn more or to request a brochure and application call toll-free at 1-800-509-6113.
…Automobile Insurance - APhA offers student members quality car insurance and up to an 8% discount off GEICO’s already low rates. Call GEICO at 800-368-2734 to apply or visit www.geico.com.
…Car Rentals Discounts - Students can receive the lowest applicable rate for business or personal travel through Hertz. For Hertz reservations, call 800-654-2210 or visit www.hertz.com and use CDP# 0002085.
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In summary, APhA-ASP Benefits Keep Getting Better Every Year - As student pharmacists progress through school, APhA benefits increase to match their needs. For:
Pre-Student Pharmacists - pharmacist.com, Membership Benefits, APhA Publications, MRMs, and the APhA Annual Meeting.
1st and 2nd Year Students - pharmacist.com, Membership Benefits, APhA Bookstore, APhA Publications, Chapter Awards, APhA-ASP Pharmaceutical Care Projects, MRMs, and the APhA Annual Meeting.
3rd and Final Year Students - pharmacist.com, Membership Benefits, APhA Bookstore, APhA Publications, Chapter Awards, Leadership Awards and Scholarships, Transitions New Practitioner e-newsletter, APhA DrugInfoLine, (Final year FREE Professional Liability Insurance), APhA-ASP Patient Care Projects, APhA Employment Exchange, MRMs, and the APhA Annual Meeting.
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So what are you waiting for? Join today!
