Admissions Rx

Prospective students often ask us about ways to gain healthcare or pharmacy experience. Here are a few resources that might be helpful:

The Oregon Board of Pharmacy website has information about becoming licensed as a pharmacy technician. Working as a technician is perhaps the best way to gain pharmacy-related experience. If you live outside Oregon, get information from the Board of Pharmacy in your state.

Volunteering in a health care setting is another great way to gain experience. Oregon State’s Center for Civic Engagement has information about volunteer opportunities. They can also consult with you about getting involved in the community and help you track your hours. Many other universities have similar centers or offices. Websites like HandsOn Willamette and VolunteerMatch let you search for particular types of volunteer opportunities. Check the website of your local hospital for information about volunteering there. Also, look into volunteering at city or county public health departments, which often run low-cost clinics. Consider “outside the box” healthcare opportunities like working in elder care or in a hospice facility. Finally, consult with your academic advisors and faculty members about opportunities they may know of.