Get pharmacy experience

Pharmacy technician (paid)

Working as a certified pharmacy technician (CPhT) is one of the strongest forms of exposure. You learn dispensing workflow, patient interactions, and day-to-day pharmacy operations.

Hours guide: Often 500+ hours if employed 6–12 months part-time

• Many chains and hospitals hire techs with on-the-job training or PTCB certification
• Log your hours, settings (retail vs hospital), and specific skills learned
• Strong material for your personal statement and interviews

Volunteering

Hospital, clinic, or community pharmacy volunteer roles show commitment when paid work isn’t available.

Hours guide: Aim for 100–300+ documented hours

• Contact hospital volunteer services or independent pharmacies directly
• Be consistent — weekly shifts beat one-time events
• Ask if you can observe counseling or inventory tasks, not just restocking

Shadowing

Short observational visits with pharmacists in different settings (retail, hospital, specialty) help you articulate why pharmacy fits you.

Hours guide: 20–50 hours is useful; quality and reflection matter more than volume alone

• Prepare questions: daily challenges, path to PharmD, advice for applicants
• Shadow in at least 2 settings if possible
• Send a thank-you note — some may offer a reference later

What to track for PharmCAS

Admissions committees want specifics, not vague bullet points.

• Setting name, supervisor/pharmacist contact, dates, total hours
• Your responsibilities (dispensing support, patient counseling observed, projects)
• One story of impact: how you helped a patient or learned something meaningful