Do you thrive on change and want to gain more insights into the pharmacy profession? Then consider a student role with the Ontario Pharmacists Association! OPA is offering one University of Waterloo pharmacy student a chance to be part of the action during the 2026 Winter Work Term (January to April 2026).
The Ontario Pharmacists Association is committed to evolving the pharmacy profession and advocating for excellence in practice and patient care. OPA is Canada’s largest pharmacy-based advocacy organization and continuing professional development provider for pharmacy professionals. By leveraging the unique expertise of pharmacy professionals, enabling them to practise to their fullest potential, and making them more accessible to patients, OPA is working to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the health care system.
About This Opportunity
The OPA Pharmacy Student will be a valuable member of the Professional Affairs team, contributing to excellence in pharmacy practice and patient care. The successful candidate will not only gain a greater sense of OPA’s role within the pharmacy profession but also an increased understanding of different factors affecting pharmacy practice which may include how government and private payor regulations and policies influence patient care, pharmacy operations and pharmacy economics.
Responsibilities of the OPA Pharmacy Student
Reporting to the Pharmacist, Research and Practice, the pharmacy student is expected to work both independently and collaboratively on projects to support the ongoing work of the Professional Affairs team. This may include:
- Participating in advocacy efforts on current issues impacting pharmacy practice;
- Developing and completing approved projects that support current pharmacy practice; and
- Supporting and attending internal and external meetings with stakeholders when appropriate
Qualifications
- Enrolled as a pharmacy student at the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy
- Strong work ethic with a passion for the future of the profession
- Excellent organizational and written/oral communication skills
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment both independently and collaboratively
- English proficiency (written and spoken)
- Previous experience working in a pharmacy setting is an asset
Department: Professional Affairs
Reports To: Pharmacist, Research and Practice
Duration: 37.5 hrs/wk x 16 wks, January – April 2026
Address: Remote (optional in-person attendance for meetings where applicable)
For more information, please contact Valentina Grigorenko, HR Manager at [email protected].
- Recruitment for this position is through WaterlooWorks; log in to WaterlooWorks for more information and to apply. Please refer to the University of Waterloo’s recruiting schedule for the 2026 Winter Work Term for information on when job postings are available as well as application deadlines.
- OPA’s Commitment to Equality: As an equal opportunity employer, OPA is fully committed to adhering and complying with all the accessibility requirements laid out under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code. If you require any special accommodations and/or identify yourself as an individual with a disability, please feel free to contact us at [email protected].
- For pharmacy students at the other pharmacy schools in Ontario, the student position takes place over the summer months and the posting for that position will be made at a later date.
Hear from our past students about their experiences at OPA:
“In the profession of pharmacy, we are always thinking about how we can help and advocate for patients, but it is also important to think about how we can help and advocate for our own profession. My three months at the OPA enabled me to concentrate on supporting pharmacy professionals through advocacy efforts, practice support, and various association-related responsibilities…I am deeply thankful for the time I spent with the Professional Affairs department, as well as the rest of the OPA team. It is one of the most supportive and welcoming work environments that I have experienced in my pharmacy career. I was given the time and space to ask questions, share opinions, and contribute ideas.”
– Sasha Thomson, University of Toronto, Class of 2026
“Working at the OPA has been an absolute pleasure and arguably the best possible way for me to have started my pharmacy career for a couple of reasons. Firstly, I got perspective on the kind of work and deliberation that goes on behind even the smallest change in practice by being a part of advisory meetings, external meetings with OPA partners, and most importantly, internal Professional Affairs meetings. Furthermore, these discussions provided me with a birds-eye view of important topics in pharmacy that deepened my understanding of stakeholder interests and influences. Lastly, being able to work on various projects myself gave me a taste of the true spirit of advocacy in pharmacy.”
– Bilal Ahmed, University of Waterloo, Class of 2026
“This co-op experience was new territory for me, having only worked in hospital and community settings previously. However, I was supported every step of the way by an amazing team who showed me how small, day-to-day efforts can create big changes. Going forward in my pharmacy career, this experience has given me a wealth of knowledge, and I feel empowered to continue advocating for change and making a positive impact in the field of pharmacy.”
– Caitlin Philbrook, University of Waterloo, Class of 2025