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Great 4.40rating (60)

Pharmacy Internship

location
2 - 24 weeks  ·  Age 16 - 50+
Verified

Highlights

  • Put your knowledge and skills to test in an unfamiliar, international setting.
  • Improve your skills in providing drug information to patients at a hospital.
  • Complete ward rounds within the pharmacy, as well as with medical teams.

Highlights

  • Put your knowledge and skills to test in an unfamiliar, international setting.
  • Improve your skills in providing drug information to patients at a hospital.
  • Complete ward rounds within the pharmacy, as well as with medical teams.
  • Learn about clinical pharmacy practices and methods within a hospital setting.
  • Go on weekend excursions or join social events together with other OGVO volunteers and interns.

  • You don't have to pay anything yet

    Especially good for

    Age 16+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    On this program you can work with local professional medical staff in a hospital, and visit outlying communities to provide basic medical advice and services

    Acquire your career in Pharmacy off to an eye-opening start by completing your elective in Ghana with OGVO. On the project you will gain valuable practical experience by working with a professional pharmacy manager at a hospital, as you share your skills and knowledge in communities that are largely ...

    About the program

    Acquire your career in Pharmacy off to an eye-opening start by completing your elective in Ghana with OGVO. On the project you will gain valuable practical experience by working with a professional pharmacy manager at a hospital, as you share your skills and knowledge in communities that are largely underdeveloped and low on resources.

    In Ghana, health care is often limited by lack of funding, outdated facilities, and shortage of staff. On your elective, you will contribute directly to improving health care in the community where you are placed, and to a healthier life for those you visit and treat on outreaches.

    In order to take part in this project you have to be a Pharmacy School student. 

    Your role on the Pharmacy School Elective in Ghana

    During your placement, you will work alongside a qualified supervisor who will help you become accustomed to your specific pharmaceutical practice. You will observe the daily pharmaceutical care services provided by local medical staff, and assist where required. You will also go on outreach projects into outlying communities to provide basic medical services to small villages often without health care. Some of the tasks you will do include:

    • Completing ward rounds with the pharmacy and medical teams
    • Supervising the outpatient dispensing of medication
    • Providing drug information to patients at a hospital
    • Assisting pharmacists with clinical pharmacy practices
    • Taking part in medical outreach projects, where you will provide local people with medical advice, prescribed medicine, and basic medical services

    Your experience in Ghana as a Pharmacy School student will be eye opening, as you will be exposed to the health care practices of a developing country. You will be required to test your knowledge and skills in a space unfamiliar to you, and to think on your feet as apply yourself in your work.

    The pharmaceutical knowledge you bring to the work-space will benefit staff and patients, and will directly contribute to improving the health care services provided in the communities you interact with. Your influence will therefore leave a lasting impact and will contributing to the sustainability of the Pharmacy Project in Ghana.

    Most colleges have deadlines for your Elective application paperwork. If your college needs information on the hospital where you will be placed, or requires forms to be signed by your project supervisor, we strongly advise completing our application form at least one month before this deadline. We can only provide this detailed information once you have applied and been accepted onto an Elective placement with us. If your college has no set requirements, we still advise that you apply as early as possible.

    Can I use this program as part of a college or university placement? 

    It is certainly possible to use one of OGVO’s programs as part of your university or college placement. Project staff can sign off any paperwork required by your course tutors. OGVO regularly receives medical, childcare, psychology and nursing placement students at our projects across Ghana and we have ties with some of the leading universities.

    If you’re a course tutor and would like further information about how one of OGVO’s programs could meet the placement requirements for your degree course then please contact us directly.


    Typical day

    Wake up each morning at your host family before eating breakfast, donning your white coat, and grabbing a tro-tro or shared taxi that will take you to the hospital. On your first day, our staff will accompany you to show you the way. 

    A typical day starts at 8am, and ends at 4pm, Monday to Friday. ..

    Typical day

    Wake up each morning at your host family before eating breakfast, donning your white coat, and grabbing a tro-tro or shared taxi that will take you to the hospital. On your first day, our staff will accompany you to show you the way. 

    A typical day starts at 8am, and ends at 4pm, Monday to Friday. Since the pharmacy is open day and night, you can also organize a night shift with your supervisor. At 12.30pm, you’ll have a chance to eat during your lunch break. You can either bring a lunch from your host family, or you can buy food at the hospital cafeteria.

    At the beginning of each day, you’ll check in with the local pharmacist who is to be your supervisor for the duration of your elective or internship. You’ll start each day by shadowing the doctors during ward rounds. They will go around and visit each patient who stayed the night, seeing how they are doing and recommending any necessary change in their medication. You’ll assist the pharmacist with the dispensing of this medication.

    A few times a week, you’ll go with the medical staff and assist with the dispensing of medication at community outreaches. You’ll fill doctors’ prescriptions and ensure patients are aware of how to take the medication and how often. All of this work is supervised by an experienced pharmacist.

    At the end of the day, you can head home and enjoy a home cooked Ghanaian meal with your host family. This is the perfect time to get to know more about their culture. Over the weekends, you can spend time with other electives or interns, explore the many historical sites around Cape Coast, or just relax on the beach.


    Free-time activities

    During weekends Volunteers/Interns have the opportunity to visit all that Ghana has to offer. Weekend trips available include visits to Mole National Park in the Northern Region of Ghana. This National Park offers a great Safari-like experience and is one of the biggest Elephant Sanctuaries in ...

    Free-time activities

    During weekends Volunteers/Interns have the opportunity to visit all that Ghana has to offer. Weekend trips available include visits to Mole National Park in the Northern Region of Ghana. This National Park offers a great Safari-like experience and is one of the biggest Elephant Sanctuaries in Africa with the chance to spot Lions, Leopards & Antelopes in their natural habitat.
Volunteers can also take a trip to Cape Coast in the Central Region of Ghana to relax in the beautiful beaches and see the famous Cape Coast castle, the Kakum Canopy walkway and Elmina castle, where slave trade begun.

    NOTE: We do provide tours, therefore you can add a tour before or after your volunteer program for an additional cost. We can perform quality tours and can offer discounts to volunteers.


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 16 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 16 years old on the program start date.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Education Requirements

    Medicine at High School / University /College etc. level

    Required Documents

    No

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    No previous experience is required

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 08:00 - 16:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    On-site Services

    • airport meeting and transfer to project site
    • comprehensive pre-departure information
    • introduction to host family and program orientation
    • accommodation and meals (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
    • supervision and visa support letter
    • Application review and processing
    • support and guidance as well as 24 / 7 hour emergency back-up from staff
    • all information before and during your time with us in Ghana
    • regular culture activities (personal spending not included)
    • The price does not include visa, flight, vaccinations/immunizations, personal insurance (required), personal spending and in-country travel.

    Airport Pickup at Kotoka International Airport

    You should arrive into Kotoka International Airport in Accra (ACC). You will be met at the airport by one of our local staff or an appointed driver who will be holding a named sign. They will take you to your accommodation where you will spend the rest of your day at leisure.

    Accommodation

    Volunteers on this program will be accommodated with a local host family, and will gain the opportunity to become immersed in the local culture and custom, improving their knowledge of the people, culture and language. Ghanaian families are renowned for their kindness and hospitality and they love to learn about different cultures. Living with a local family truly is the best way to throw oneself into the local culture and to meet people who will often become lifelong friends!

    All families have been fully vetted by our team and have extensive experience hosting international volunteers. Bedrooms are private but generally shared with volunteers of the same gender. Volunteers will be provided access to a shared bathroom. Generally, your host brother, sister or mother assist you with your laundry but it is not an obligation, learn to wash your clothing’s with your hands in several buckets, enjoy the sun drying your clothes and odor the African fragrance in your clothes.

    It is important to remember that the living conditions in Ghana are different from home. Most families have running water, but hot water is still uncommon in some areas. Although the accommodation is basic, this is part of the challenge and experience of volunteering in a developing country. With a little patience, and a flexible attitude, you will quickly get used to your new surroundings.

    Food & Beverages

    Three meals a day are provided by the home-stay families and consist mainly of traditional Ghanaian meals with some flexibility for home comforts when available.

    Breakfast is usually ready by around 7am; however you can eat later if you prefer to get up late. Lunch is usually packed by your host family in a lunch box so that you can eat at your project if you wish. Dinner is usually served around 6pm.

    If you have special eating needs, you can indicate that while applying. Even though special eating needs are not something we can guarantee, we will do our best to meet your needs.

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site
    You don't have to pay anything yet

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Kotoka International Airport (ACC) in Accra. We assist you to find cheap flights to Ghana. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Ghana provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Ghana you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Ghana. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    This program is available all year round, so volunteers or interns can arrive any day of the week or any month of the year with advance notice!

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program Fees

    $200 per week 2 - 24 weeks Age 16 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    2 - 24 weeks

    Deposit

    Reserve your spot with just a few clicks and a small, secure deposit. You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or other convenient methods.


    Final Payment

    You’ll agree on the final payment method with your local organization during the application process. This final payment is only due closer to the start of your trip.

    You don't have to pay anything yet
    4.4
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    Location

    Africa > Western Africa > Ghana > Kumasi

    Meet your project coordinator

    Frank
    60
    reviews
    4.40
    Great
    2004
    Founded

    Verified

      Very high response rate
    Spoken languages: English
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    Contact Frank
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    Travel dates

    1. - 1. Jan 1

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