Do you thrive on change and want to gain more insights into the pharmacy profession? Then consider a student role with the Ontario Pharmacists Association! OPA is offering one pharmacy student a chance to be part of the action during the summer of 2025 (May to August 2025). (Note: the weeks of work are flexible to accommodate mandatory school rotations, e.g., Early Practice Experience (EPE) placements.)
The Ontario Pharmacists Association is committed to evolving the pharmacy profession and advocating for excellence in practice and patient care. OPA is Canada’s largest pharmacy-based advocacy organization and continuing professional development provider for pharmacy professionals. By leveraging the unique expertise of pharmacy professionals, enabling them to practise to their fullest potential, and making them more accessible to patients, OPA is working to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the health care system.
About This Opportunity
The OPA Pharmacy Student will be a valuable member of the Professional Affairs team, contributing to excellence in pharmacy practice and patient care. The successful candidate will not only gain a greater sense of OPA’s role within the pharmacy profession but also an increased understanding of different factors affecting pharmacy practice which may include how government and private payor regulations and policies influence patient care, pharmacy operations and pharmacy economics.
Responsibilities of the OPA Pharmacy Student
Reporting to the Director of Professional Affairs, the pharmacy student is expected to work both independently and collaboratively on projects to support the ongoing work of the Professional Affairs team. This may include:
- Participating in advocacy efforts on current issues impacting pharmacy practice;
- Developing and completing approved projects that support current pharmacy practice; and
- Supporting and attending internal and external meetings with stakeholders when appropriate
Qualifications
- Enrolled as a pharmacy student at a pharmacy school in Ontario
- Strong work ethic with a passion for the future of the profession
- Excellent organizational and written/oral communication skills
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment both independently and collaboratively
- English proficiency (written and spoken)
- Previous experience working in a pharmacy setting is an asset
Department: Professional Affairs
Reports To: Director, Professional Affairs
Duration: 37.5 hrs/wk x 12-16 wks, May – August 2025 (weeks of work are flexible to accommodate mandatory school rotations, e.g., Early Practice Experience (EPE) placements)
Address: Remote (optional in-person attendance for meetings where applicable)
To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to [email protected].
Deadline to Apply: January 13, 2025
For more information, please contact Valentina Grigorenko, HR Manager at [email protected].
- OPA’s Commitment to Equality: As an equal opportunity employer, OPA is fully committed to adhering and complying with all the accessibility requirements laid out under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code. If you require any special accommodations and/or identify yourself as an individual with a disability, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].
- We thank you for your application and your interest. Please note that only those applicants selected for further discussion will be contacted.
Hear from our past students about their experiences at OPA:
“Working at the OPA has been an absolute pleasure and arguably the best possible way for me to have started my pharmacy career for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I got perspective on the kind of work and deliberation that goes on behind even the smallest change in practice by being a part of advisory meetings, external meetings with OPA partners, and most importantly, internal Professional Affairs meetings. Furthermore, these discussions provided me with a birds-eye view of important topics in pharmacy that deepened my understanding of stakeholder interests and influences. Lastly, being able to work on various projects myself gave me a taste of the true spirit of advocacy in pharmacy.”
– Bilal Ahmed, University of Waterloo, Class of 2026
“This co-op experience was new territory for me, having only worked in hospital and community settings previously. However, I was supported every step of the way by an amazing team who showed me how small, day-to-day efforts can create big changes. Going forward in my pharmacy career, this experience has given me a wealth of knowledge, and I feel empowered to continue advocating for change and making a positive impact in the field of pharmacy.”
– Caitlin Philbrook, University of Waterloo, Class of 2025
“Within these couple of months, I have been inspired by the work of like-minded individuals whose passion and drive are rooted in helping pharmacy professionals provide exceptional patient care. This has been a unique and valuable experience in a non-direct patient care setting and not only has it sparked my passion for advancing the pharmacy profession through advocacy and policy work but has allowed me to develop and practice skills that I know will help me advance in my own professional career as a future pharmacist.”
– Lina Yacoub, University of Toronto, Class of 2025