Internship Spotlight: Arizona Poison & Drug Information Center
The R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy students have a wide range of opportunities to gain real-world experience, helping them build the skills and confidence needed for their future careers. Among these opportunities are internships, which play a critical role in connecting classroom learning to clinical practice. All Wildcats are encouraged to create an internship plan and pursue at least one paid internship or research experience during their time at the University of Arizona through the Center for Career Readiness. Wildcats who talk to someone about their career goals are nearly twice as likely to report a full-time job at graduation.
Internships provide pharmacy students with the opportunity to apply their classroom learning to real-world patient scenarios, thereby developing essential skills such as clinical decision-making, communication, and problem-solving. These experiences not only strengthen academic understanding but also help students explore different areas of pharmacy practice and refine their professional interests early in their training.
One such experience is offered through the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center (AZPDIC), where pharmacy students engage directly in toxicology and drug information services while working alongside healthcare professionals.
AZPDIC serves as a vital resource for patients, healthcare providers, and the community, offering guidance on medication exposures, overdoses, and envenomations. Through this internship, students step into a fast-paced and unpredictable environment where each case presents a unique challenge. Interns at the center gain hands-on experience in managing drug overdoses, unintentional exposures, and venomous bites, while also participating in drug information requests, health education initiatives, and quality improvement projects.
“The AZPDIC internship is truly a one-of-a-kind experience,” said Steven Dudley, PharmD, director of the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center. “Our students get firsthand experience managing envenomations and accidental overdoses, which are topics you do not typically encounter during pharmacy school. To be a true expert on medications, you need to understand not only how to use them safely, but also what happens when things go wrong.”
Through experiences like this, students are exposed to areas of pharmacy that extend beyond traditional coursework, allowing them to develop a deeper understanding of pharmacology, toxicology, and patient care.
For first-year PharmD student Trenton Raley, the internship has provided an opportunity to apply his academic interests in a clinical setting.
“I have been learning how to assess patients calling for various types of exposures and determine an appropriate plan of action,” Raley said. “This experience has helped me better understand how pharmacology and toxicology influence treatment decisions.”
Raley was initially drawn to the internship through his interest in toxicology, developed during his undergraduate studies. His experience at the poison center has allowed him to explore the clinical applications of those concepts while gaining practical skills that will support his future career in hospital pharmacy.
Similarly, PharmD student Tara Shevlin has found the internship to be a valuable opportunity for both professional and personal growth. “One of the biggest things I will take away from this internship is the importance of strong communication skills,” Shevlin said. “Because we rely entirely on verbal communication to assess situations and support patients and families, I have learned how to ask the right questions, build trust, and respond with empathy.”
Working in a call center environment has challenged Shevlin to think quickly and adapt to a wide variety of cases, ranging from medication questions to emergency exposures. These experiences have strengthened her confidence and reinforced her passion for patient care, particularly in pediatric settings.
“I have especially enjoyed helping families during stressful situations and walking them through our recommendations,” she said. “This experience has confirmed my interest in pursuing a career in pediatric pharmacy.”
Beyond individual skill development, internships like the one at AZPDIC play a broader role in preparing students for the realities of pharmacy practice. By placing students in real-world scenarios, these experiences help bridge the gap between academic learning and clinical application while building confidence in decision-making and patient care.
At the College of Pharmacy, students are encouraged to explore internship opportunities early in their education. These experiences not only enhance their understanding of the profession but also help shape their career interests and professional goals. Interns at the poison center also gain exposure to a unique and dynamic work environment, where their colleagues may include pharmacists, healthcare providers, and even encounters involving rattlesnakes, scorpions, and Gila monsters.
AZPDIC hires pharmacy interns each year, with positions typically beginning in September and requiring an average of 15 hours per week onsite. Applicants are encouraged to be self-motivated, interested in toxicology and drug information, and possess strong communication skills. Interested students can apply by submitting their CV, with application deadlines typically in mid-September.
Through opportunities like this, the College of Pharmacy continues to provide students with experiences that go beyond the classroom, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and real-world perspective needed to succeed as future pharmacists. For more information on all the available internships and how you can apply, contact Student Services Director Mildred Curran.