Pharmacy Association Management

Abstract

The alternative practice option of association management offers tremendous potential for professional growth and personal satisfaction. Diversity of activity and the opportunity to have a direct impact upon the future of the profession are two major dimensions associated with this growing career option. In total, more than 140 pharmacists have found rewarding career positions in the offices of pharmacy's state and national associations. These pharmacists, serving as chief executive officers and professional staff members, have chosen to serve the profession rather than pursue its actual practice. Their work is important and challenging and serves to have a significant effect on both the profession as a whole and individual pharmacists. A diversity of opportunity is available to the pharmacist aspiring a career in association work. As a chief executive, the pharmacist uses a broad range of administrative skills to help the association achieve its overall mission. Working with the association's elected leadership, the association executive helps establish goals and objectives and pursues their attainment by implementing effective strategies. As professional association staff members, many pharmacists use skills in areas related to law, clinical pharmacy, journalism, education, and public relations to help their associations serve the profession of pharmacy and their individual memberships. The revolutionary changes occurring in health care today are placing an increasing level of demand upon professional associations. Never before have these associations been confronted with more challenges and opportunities. As a result, the opportunities for pharmacist employment in this field are expected to grow. Professionally motivated pharmacists have and will continue to find this alternative practice option to be both professionally and personally rewarding.