Pharmacy Internships: Intern abroad in Arusha, Tanzania

Internship details

Specialist Pharmacy internships gaining practical skills alongside experienced pharmacists in dispensaries and hospital departments. Interns help to provide medicines, information and counselling to patients, including educating patients about the importance of medication compliance.

This is an in-country internship, with accommodation and meals provided.

Tanzania is currently facing a shortage of both pharmacies and registered pharmacists, especially in rural and under-served regions. As a Pharmacy intern, you’ll help to address this shortage while you gain highly relevant skills contributing to the operation of pharmacies and dispensaries within hospitals in Arusha.

Pharmacy interns are placed alongside experienced local pharmacists, dispensing medication to both in-residence and out patients. Your typical tasks can include:

• Assisting pharmacists to dispense medications
• Ensuring patients receive the appropriate prescription, dose and medication
• Providing basic pharmaceutical counselling
• Ensuring patients understand the importance of medication compliance
• Assisting with stock management and control
• Taking payments for medication

Interns should come to Tanzania prepared to encounter a healthcare system that is far different to what you’re used to. Medical treatment in Tanzania is often under-resourced, and you may encounter patients who endure conditions that you would consider unacceptable at home. Culture shock can be especially prevalent in healthcare environments, and interns should endeavor to remain professional and empathetic at all times. This internship is conducted in English. Most patients you’ll work with will be able to speak at least basic English, however, for those that can’t, you’ll be able to receive a debrief from your supervisor afterwards.

It is important to note that the internship placements grouped as “Medical” require interns to make a Ministry of Health contribution. This supports the operation of placements and covers supervision for interns on medical-related placements. This contribution is not included in the internship program fee; it must be made directly, in-country, under the direction and guidance of the Program Coordinator in Arusha. Interns will not be permitted to commence their placement until this has been covered. The amount of the Ministry of Health contribution varies, as it is not the same for every clinic/hospital. However, to cover the contribution sufficiently, we ask interns to budget up to US$75 per week.

In all cases, interns should expect that the first week of your experience will focus on settling in and gaining some introductory knowledge, as you will not “hit the ground running”. Rather, you should start with learning about the placement to gain an understanding of what you can build upon, develop, learn, and contribute. Ensure that you ask questions and provide feedback during the introductory period, so that your supervisor understands how you’re progressing. This will help them to better understand important details, such as how quickly you learn, what you find challenging, what you find interesting, etc.

Understand and expect that individual internship experiences vary, as the specific placement that you’re assigned will depend on review of your resume and your current level of studies and experience. Therefore, if you’re at a more introductory level, you should reasonably expect a more introductory internship. Likewise, if you’re interning for a shorter duration, you will have a different experience from someone who is interning for a longer duration. Placement preferences are considered but always subject to availability.

What are the career benefits of interning abroad as a Pharmacy Intern?