Membership
Why join CSHP?
Hospital pharmacists need to have a voice. A national organization like CSHP unifies its members to create a stronger influence when we need to be heard, for example in professional negotiations or more importantly, to advocate for improved patient safety in our workplace.
The Society is a champion of your unique practice of pharmacy. It also offers the following benefits:
Malpractice Insurance
CSHP National offers an excellent claims made” insurance policy for members at a very affordable price through the Insurers Financial Group. When researching insurance policies, ensure you are adequately covered in Alberta where insurance is mandated. Be informed and purchase an insurance policy that represents your needs!
The Western Branches Banff Seminar
Our flagship educational and social event is an annual tradition in neighbouring Banff. Meet up with school-mates, contribute to the theme, be enlightened and enjoy! Enthusiastic member-volunteers give a huge effort to this event and the success shows in high repeat attendance.
Networking!
Membership allows you to become involved in any number of Pharmacy Specialty Networks (PSNs). A PSN allows members to benefit by working alongside your peers from coast to coast to coast! For example, you may want to ask advice on a perplexing clinical scenario, informally poll other members across the country on an issue, disseminate information urgently or inform others of new landmark trials. A PSN "takes on a life of its own”, depending on the contributions of its members!
CSHP offers 23 online networking opportunities in a variety of interest areas! Review the list of PSNs (and the Terms of Reference for each) on a regular basis to see if there is a PSN of interest to you.
Education specifically for hospital pharmacists
CSHP volunteers strive to develop high-quality educational programs that are specific to your needs as a hospital pharmacist. Several events take place close to home within the Alberta Branch. Check the website regularly! CSHP members are offered reduced rates for registration. For example, members pay $300 less than non-members for full registration at the annual Professional Practice Conference (PPC) in Toronto.
Online access to CSHP Official Publications, Member Rates on other publications
Legislation regarding pharmacy practice is ever-changing and the one source of hospital practice in Canada is the CSHP Official Publications, continually updated and now available online. This influential text has been a longstanding commitment of CSHP and focuses specifically on pharmacy activities in hospitals and related sites. Other CSHP publications such as the well-known “Care Beyond Cure, A Pharmacotherapeutic Guide to Palliative Care” are also available to members at discounted prices.
Member rates with the American Society of Health Systems Pharmacists
Thinking of purchasing an ASHP publication? A membership discount is applied when you place your order via the CSHP National office. Members also receive reduced rates at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting in the USA.
Free online access to the Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacists
Using the search engines Embase, IPA, Scirus or Google Scholar, researchers around the world will find citations of publications in the Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacists. Popular new additions to the Journal include Practice Spotlight and Point Counterpoint. Our bimonthly Journal takes pride in publishing peer-reviewed scholarly papers under the editorial leadership of Dr. Mary Ensom, PharmD, FASHP, FCCP, FCSHP, FCAHS, who is a Professor and Director of the Doctor of Pharmacy Program at UBC, a Distinguished University Scholar at UBC and a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist at Children’s and Women’s Health Centre of British Columbia.
Online eBulletin
Need a change? Be aware of new opportunities with timely online access to the eBulletin biweekly. This newsletter is perfect for those who are looking for hospital employment or for those who want to explore different areas of practice.
CSHP-Alberta Branch Student Mentorship Program
This new program is designed to allow Alberta branch student members the opportunity to communicate with pharmacist members on an informal basis via email to increase student interest and awareness of hospital and other health care related practices. It is also meant to assist students in learning more about career options available to them after graduation and issues currently facing the pharmacy profession.
Reduced membership fees for new and student members
A tiered discount is available to new active/supporting members who have never previously held that membership in CSHP. And, of course, special low rates are available for pharmacy students and those enrolled in post-graduate pharmacy programs.
When is the membership year?
The CSHP membership year is from July 1st, 2009 to June 30th, 2010. Join as early as April 1st to receive up to 15 months of membership at no additional cost.
Sign me up! Click here to become a member of CSHP
If you have any questions are not answered by the information contained in the website, please feel free to contact me by e-mail at tania.mysak@albertahealthservices.ca.
Tania Mysak
Chair, Membership/Communications, CSHP Alberta Branch