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In This Issue:
CEO Perspective
Legislative and Regulatory
- FDA Approves Ketamine Product for Treatment of Surgery-Related Pain
- RFK Jr. Quietly Endorses Influenza Vaccine for Kids and Adults
- FDA Approves Zongertinib for Lung Cancer Patients
Professional Practice
- Pharmacy Profiles and PTCB Announce Strategic Partnership to Streamline Pharmacy Technician Credentialing
- CDC to Clinicians: Look Out for Medetomidine in Opioid Overdose
- Addressing Consumer Concerns About Flu Vaccines
- Michigan Families Urged to Catch Up on Vaccines During National Immunization Awareness Month
- Pfizer to Host Training Webinars on Potential Updated COVID-19 Vaccines
MPA News
- Registration Open for MSHP Annual Meeting
- Vote Now in MPA Treasurer Election
- Serve on an MPA or MSHP Committee – Sign Up by Sept. 30
- MPF Board of Trustees Call for Nominations
- MPF Motion for a Mission Fundraiser Sept. 27
- Nominate Colleagues for MPA and Section Awards Now
- Participate in the Pharmacy PAC Challenge
- Register for Pharmacy Day at the Capitol by Sept. 5!!
- Save the Date: 2025 UP Fall Conference
- Apply Now for the 2025 Health Professional Leadership Academy
- Register Now for MPA Law and Policy Symposium Sept. 24
National Association News
- NASPA Develops RSV Resource
- Register for the NCPA Annual Convention in New Orleans
MPA CE Offerings
Career Opportunities
Upcoming Meetings and Events
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Summer days are waning, so that means there are important deadlines approaching as well as events to put on your calendar.
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MPA and Section Awards: Deadline Aug. 29. Nominate one of your colleagues for a prestigious award to recognize their professional accomplishments!
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MPA Treasurer Election: Deadline Aug. 29. MPA is holding a special election to fill the role of Treasurer on the MPA Executive Board. Eligible members received an email with their credentials to vote from announcement@associationvoting.com. If you did not receive the email or have questions, please contact Farah Jalloul-Rizk, FJalloul@michiganpharmacists.org.
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Pharmacy Day at the Capitol: Sept. 18. Register to attend and educate legislators on your value as a health care professional!
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Law and Policy Symposium: Sept. 24. Register to earn live continuing education credit while meeting the state licensing ethics and jurisprudence requirement.
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Member Engagement Form: Deadline Sept. 30. Complete the form for the opportunity to serve on MPA boards, committees, local associations and more in 2026.
Save the dates for even more in 2025, including the MSHP Annual Meeting Oct. 24 at the Hilton Doubletree Dearborn (registration and room booking are now and the Upper Peninsula Division Fall Conference Oct. 25 at the Northern Center in Marquette. Be sure to check out the Events page on the MPA website for the latest information on all our upcoming events.
Wherever your travels take you this end of summer/fall, be safe and enjoy!
| | Legislative and Regulatory | | |
FDA Approves Ketamine Product
for Management of Surgery-Related Pain
Against a backdrop of growing interest in the use of psychedelic and psychedelic-adjacent therapies, the FDA has cleared a ketamine product (KETARx-PharmaTher Holdings) for the management of surgery-related pain.
The manufacturer expressed excitement for the approval, which it hopes will open the door for additional indications for ketamine, including pain management and treatment of mental disorders like depression and PTSD, as well as neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease and ALS. Ketamine has appeared regularly on FDA's drug shortage list, underscoring the need for a consistent, high-quality supply and reflecting its growing popularity in medical circles.
The global market for ketamine is currently worth about $750 million and is on track to reach $3.42 billion by 2034.
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RFK Jr. Quietly Endorses Influenza Vaccine for Kids and Adults
The recommendations page for CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has been updated to show that the panel's support for population-wide vaccination against seasonal influenza has been accepted.
Under what is now official CDC policy, all individuals aged 6 months and older who have no contraindications are encouraged to receive protection for the 2025-26 respiratory disease cycle. The decision was made by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in late July, before Susan Monarez was confirmed and installed as the director of CDC. While Kennedy, a vocal vaccine skeptic, has been highly visible in announcing anti-vaccine action, such as eliminating thimerosal from influenza vaccines, his endorsement of routine influenza vaccination flew under the radar.
CDC acceptance or rejection of ACIP recommendations now falls to Monarez, who has already started exercising that authority. On Aug. 4, she backed ACIP's call for clesrovimab (Enflonsia-Merck) for babies aged younger than 8 months who were born during or entering their first respiratory syncytial virus season but whose mothers are unvaccinated against the disease.
| (NOTE: Free Registration May Be Required for Full Access) | | |
FDA Approves Zongertinib for Lung Cancer Patients
The Food and Drug Administration has granted accelerated approval to zongertinib (Hernexeos), a kinase inhibitor, for adults with unresectable or metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors have HER2 (ERBB2) tyrosine kinase domain (TKD) activating mutations, as detected by an FDA-approved test, and who have received prior systemic therapy.
The FDA also approved the Oncomine Dx Target Test (Life Technologies Corporation) as a companion diagnostic device to aid in detecting HER2 (ERBB2) TKD activating mutations in patients with non-squamous NSCLC who may be eligible for treatment with zongertinib.
Full prescribing information for Hernexeos will be posted on Drugs@FDA.
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Pharmacy Profiles and PTCB Announce Strategic Partnership
to Streamline Pharmacy Technician Credentialing
The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) and Pharmacy Profiles, a subsidiary of the American Pharmacists Association, recently announced a partnership to streamline pharmacy technician credentialing.
Under the agreement, PTCB will provide Pharmacy Profiles with verified certification information for pharmacy technicians who consent and have a National Association of Boards of Pharmacy e-Profile ID.
"This partnership reflects our shared commitment to empowering pharmacy technicians and supporting the broader pharmacy workforce," said Mark Pilkington, executive director of Pharmacy Profiles. "By connecting verified certification data directly to technician profiles, we're reducing administrative burden and enabling more efficient credentialing processes across the profession."
To safeguard shared information, the agreement includes stringent data privacy and compliance standards, ensuring adherence to the Fair Credit Reporting Act and all other applicable federal and state laws.
"This collaboration with Pharmacy Profiles aligns with PTCB's mission to advance medication safety by certifying pharmacy technicians who are qualified to support pharmacists and patient care," PTCB Executive Director and CEO Bill Schimmel said. "We're proud to contribute to a more connected and transparent credentialing ecosystem."
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CDC to Clinicians: Look Out for Medetomidine
in Opioid Overdose
Clinicians should be on alert for signs of medetomidine exposure and withdrawal in suspected overdose cases, public health experts said during a CDC webinar.
Hosted by the agency's Division of Overdose Prevention, the webinar highlighted growing concerns about medetomidine's increasing presence in the U.S. illicit drug supply – often mixed with fentanyl – and the clinical challenges of treating patients exposed to it. Experts also outlined management strategies for treating withdrawal and emphasized the difficulty of predicting which patients will require hospitalization or admission to the intensive care unit (ICU).
Although U.S. drug overdose deaths dropped 25% in 2024 compared with the previous year, overdoses remain the leading cause of death for adults ages 18 to 34, said Allison Arwady, MD, MPH, director of the CDC's Injury Center.
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Addressing Consumer Concerns About Flu Vaccines
Last year’s flu season hit the United States hard with 47 million illnesses, 610,000 hospitalizations and 231 pediatric deaths – yet influenza vaccination rates among the most vulnerable populations continue to decline.
A national survey supported by CSL Seqirus revealed consumers’ beliefs about flu vaccines – and how you can build trust, address fears and make your recommendation count.
🧠 Discover what consumers think about adverse effects.
📊 See how pharmacists and consumers view vaccine barriers differently.
💬 Refresh your approach with proven communication tips.
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Michigan Families Urged to Catch Up on Vaccines During National Immunization Awareness Month
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is urging residents to get caught up on vaccines as part of National Immunization Awareness Month.
MDHHS encourages residents to review their vaccination records and consult with their health care providers about any recommended vaccines they may need. To obtain an immunization record for your child, ask your child’s pediatrician or family doctor, contact your local health department or submit an immunization record request.
According to data from the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR), as of June 2025, only 68% of Michigan children 19 through 35 months of age were fully immunized with recommended vaccines. This is a significant decrease from March 2019, when 73.5% of children in this age group were vaccinated.
MDHHS has collaborated with the Franny Strong Foundation, its partner on the I Vaccinate campaign, and other advocates across the nation to spread the message that vaccines are one of the safest ways to protect health and lower risks for certain diseases and cancers.
Watch for additional information coming soon regarding availability of flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines to help reduce symptoms and severity of illness during the upcoming fall respiratory season. Visit Michigan.gov/CovidFluRSV for more information.
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Pfizer to Host Training Webinars
on Potential Updated COVID-19 Vaccines
Pfizer’s Vaccines U.S. Medical Affairs team is providing brief training webinars on the potential updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and BioNTech. The information provided is for training purposes only to help prepare U.S. health care professionals to correctly handle, prepare and administer the updated formula, if approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Live sessions will be conducted on Tuesdays and Thursdays and began on Aug. 19.
In the event the FDA approves the updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and BioNTech, the medical content will be revised to reflect the latest information.
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Registration Open for MSHP Annual Meeting
Register now for the MSHP Annual Meeting, taking place Oct. 24 at the Hilton Doubletree-Dearborn! MPA is pleased to offer up to 4.5 hours of continuing education credits on a variety of topics. Be sure to attend the MSHP Town Hall as well, where MSHP will swear in new board members and present its annual awards.
MSHP Room Booking Available
Book your stay now at the Hilton Doubletree-Dearborn for the MSHP Annual Meeting. Note: The hotel website will currently default to the entire three-day block MPA has reserved. To book for fewer nights, click the "Edit Stay" option when selecting your room. Book Now!
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MPA is holding a special election until Aug. 29 to fill the role of Treasurer on the MPA Executive Board. Eligible members should have received an email with their credentials to vote from announcement@associationvoting.com.
If your email does not come through with credentials, please visit https://vote.associationvoting.com/mpa and click on the help as indicated below and complete the form. An email from webmaster@associationvoting.com will provide you with the log in credentials. It will also notify staff for additional support if needed.
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Serve on an MPA or MSHP Committee – Sign Up by Sept. 30
If you are interested in serving on a 2026 MPA or MSHP committee, the submission deadline is Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025. Even if you miss this deadline, MPA encourages you to complete the form. Your information will be kept on file and considered for future opportunities, committee expansions or mid-year openings.
MPA committee members are required to attend the following committee days:
- Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026 (in-person, MPA headquarters)
- Wednesday, May 13, 2026 (virtual)
MSHP committee members are required to attend the following committee days:
- Thursday, Jan. 8 (in-person, MPA headquarters)
- May 2026, date TBD (in-person, MPA headquarters)
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MPF Board of Trustees Call for Nominations
The Michigan Pharmacy Foundation is accepting applications for trustee candidates through Sept. 7, 2025.
Nominate yourself or a colleague to serve on this prestigious board to help guide the future of the Michigan Pharmacy Foundation. Multiple positions are open on the board for four-year terms (2026-2029).
The MPF Board of Trustees serves a critical role in leading the Foundation to achieve its mission: "To Foster the Future of Pharmacy."
If you are interested and would like to learn more about this opportunity, contact MPF Executive Director Rick Drabek.
Click the button below to access the nomination form.
| | MPF Motion for a Mission Fundraiser Sept. 27 | | |
Join the Michigan Pharmacy Foundation by participating in its 2025 Motion for a Mission fundraiser Sept. 27.
How to Get Involved
- Join individually or as a team.
- Set your fundraising goal.
- Share your page and spread the word!
Every participant who raises $50 or more will receive a Motion for a Mission t-shirt! Your donations helps MPF in several ways, such as:
- Provide scholarships to future pharmacists
- Support innovative research and patient care initiatives
- Deliver leadership and continuing education programs
Get moving for a great cause – walk, run, cycle, or choose your own activity.
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Nominate Colleagues for MPA and Section Awards Now
Nominate one of your colleagues for a prestigious MPA award to recognize their professional accomplishments! The deadline to submit nominations is Aug. 29. MPA is accepting nominations for the following awards:
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MPA Awards
- MPA Pharmacist of the Year
- Bowl of Hygeia
- Executive Board Medal
- Excellence in Innovation
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PharmacistsTM Mutual Distinguished Young Pharmacist Award
- Fred W. Arnold Public Relations Award
- Fellow of MPA
- Ernie Koch Striving for Excellence Award
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Section Awards
CSPM
- CSPM Pharmacist of the Year Award
MSCP
- MSCP Pharmacist of the Year Award
MSHP
- MSHP Pharmacist of the Year Award
- MSHP Joseph A. Oddis Leadership Award
- MSHP Professional Practice Award
- MSHP Presidents Award
- MSHP Excellence in Wellness Practice Award*
MSPT
- MSPT Technician of the Year Award
- MSPT Service Award
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*The MSHP Excellence in Wellness Practice Award is a new award and will be presented for the first time this year at the MSHP Annual Meeting. The MSHP Excellence in Wellness Practice Award is presented to an individual (pharmacist, pharmacy resident, student pharmacist, pharmacy technician), department, or group for their involvement in a wellness practice initiative. Whether through promoting mental health awareness, advocating for physical well-being, or supporting work-life balance, the Excellence in Wellness Practice Award celebrates those who make a meaningful impact on the wellness culture within the healthcare sector.
The criteria for the award is as follows:
- Applicant(s) is a Michigan pharmacist, student pharmacist, pharmacy resident, pharmacy technician, pharmacy department, or group of pharmacists/students/residents/technicians. The nominee (or at least 1 nominee in the group if a group is nominated) must be an active member of MPA.
- Project has been undertaken, modified, or expanded within the last five years.
- Project must demonstrate impact on wellness culture in a pharmacy or healthcare setting.
| | Participate in the Pharmacy PAC Challenge | | |
In 2025, the stakes are high – and so is the energy. Join fellow pharmacy professionals across the state in the Michigan Pharmacy PAC Challenge and help us make a powerful impact on the profession of pharmacy. Legislators need to hear from us – the pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and student pharmacists – who keep Michigan citizens healthy every single day.
Two Ways to Contribute
- Host a legislative event through your local association. Invite your state and federal legislators to your practice site, or host a pharmacy advocacy town hall or political fundraiser with your membership. Our goal is for every active local association to host at least one event in 2025. MPA is willing to underwrite the costs for food, beverage and venue, up to $1,000, for each local. MPA staff is also available to coordinate programming, moderate discussion panels, or otherwise provide programming for events. All events will be featured in upcoming editions of the Michigan Pharmacy PAC Report.
- Donate to Michigan Pharmacy PAC through the competition’s donation form below. The form will ask for your local association and your alma mater/college of pharmacy. The local association and college that raises the most dollars for Pharmacy PAC from July 1 to Dec. 1, 2025, will be declared the winner and receive special recognition at the 2026 MPA Annual Convention & Exposition in Lansing. Your donations help elect pharmacy-friendly lawmakers, protect your profession and advance patient care initiatives. Your support is the single most important factor in ensuring that pharmacy continues to have voice in the legislature.
This is more than a donation. It’s your voice. It’s your seat at the table.
If you have questions or need assistance with planning your event, please contact Eric Roath, Pharm.D., MBA, MPA director of government affairs at ERoath@MichiganPharmacists.org.
| | Register for Pharmacy Day at the Capitol by Sept. 5! | | |
The 2025 MPA Pharmacy Day at the Capitol (PDAC) will take place Sept. 18 on the Capitol Lawn. PDAC is a biennial event that provides an opportunity for pharmacy professionals to educate legislators on the value of their profession as health care professionals. Volunteers are given unique one-on-one time with Michigan’s elected officials to provide personal insight as to how we care for our patients.
Additionally, participants have the opportunity to utilize talking points to discuss key pharmacy issues with their elected officials.
This event is held in conjunction with the Michigan Pharmacists Association’s Medication Disposal Event at the Capitol, which provides a venue for the public to dispose of unused, unwanted, or expired medications safely and showcases the value of pharmacists in keeping patients and communities safe. For sponsorship opportunities, contact MPA Director of Government Affairs Eric Roath.
| | Save the Date: 2025 UP Fall Conference | |
The Michigan Pharmacists Association’s Upper Peninsula Division Fall Conference will be held in person Oct. 25 at the Northern Center on the campus of Northern Michigan University in Marquette. The meeting will offer continuing education for pharmacists, pharmacy residents, student pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.
Save the date now and visit the the Events page on the MPA website for updates. Registration and hotel booking information will be available soon!
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Apply Now for the 2025 Health Professional Leadership Academy
The Michigan Pharmacy Foundation is accepting applications for the 2025 Health Professional Leadership Academy (HPLA), a six-month program aimed at developing pharmacy professionals (pharmacists and pharmacy technicians) and other health disciplines who are equipped and motivated to lead others and their professions in the years ahead.
The HPLA program aims to strengthen professional and leadership skills, provide information and resources for practitioners to be more effective in their roles, help them build meaningful relationships, and provide them with opportunities to be active in and lead their profession.
The 2025 MPF Leadership Academy includes seven virtual two-hour sessions, one eight-hour in-person session and a personal leadership project. Upon successful completion of the course, participants will earn 30 continuing education credits. Pharmacy professionals and other health care providers from all practice settings are welcome to apply. MPF is providing this program for free to Michigan Pharmacists Association members and $1,500 for nonmembers.
Applications will be accepted through Sept. 21. The class of 2025 will be limited to 20 participants. HPLA's first session will kick off on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025. For more information, please email MPF Executive Director Rick Drabek at RDrabek@MichiganPharmacists.org, or call (517) 377-0227.
| The 2025 MPF HPLA graduating class. | | |
Register for the LIVE 2025 MPA Law and Policy Symposium
Sept. 24 at Eagle Eye
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MPA’s Law & Policy Symposium Sept. 24 at Eagle Eye Golf and Banquet Center offers a great opportunity for pharmacy professionals to earn live continuing education credit while meeting the state licensing ethics & jurisprudence requirement.
Registration is open now, so click the button below, or scan the QR code. Registration closes Sept. 15.
Cancellations/refunds must be made in writing by Sept. 4, 2025. A 15% administrative fee will be assessed. Please send refund requests or questions to Education@Michiganpharmacists.org.
| | National Association News | | |
NASPA Develops RSV Vaccine Resource
As part of its initiative to increase access to pharmacist-administered RSV vaccines for pregnant individuals, NASPA has developed state-specific, pharmacy-counter-friendly flowchart decision guides. This resource will help pharmacists determine whether and when to recommend the RSV vaccine to pregnant patients, in alignment with clinical and regulatory guidelines.
Members can download Michigan's version by clicking the button below. More information can be found on NASPA's website.
| | Register for NCPA 2025 Annual Convention in New Orleans | | |
Meet MPA in the Big Easy for the 2025 NCPA Annual Convention Oct. 18-21!
With powerful keynotes, practical business boosters and a buzzing expo floor, this is where the future of pharmacy takes shape.
Come for the networking, stay for the impact.
Learn more and register: https://ncpa.org/annual-convention.
You can't afford NOT to go.
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APhA Pharmacy-Based
Immunization Training
Live Webinar – Sept. 9, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Mixed Format - Self Study Required
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Pharmacy Technician Immunization Training
Live Webinar – Sept. 10, Noon-1:30 p.m.
Mixed Format - Self Study Required
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NCAP Develops Substance Abuse Disorder Training Program
The North Carolina Association of Pharmacists has developed a comprehensive, one-time training program designed to give health care professionals a thorough understanding of preventing, detecting, and managing patients with substance use disorders. The program addresses prevention, treatment, and recovery, conceptualizing substance use disorder as a chronic brain disease affected by genetic, behavioral, cultural, and socioeconomic factors. The program will emphasize opioid use disorder (OUD) and is designed to equip participants with the information needed to treat and manage patients living with OUD effectively.
The target audience for this advanced-level training includes physicians, nurse practitioners/nurses, physician assistants, and pharmacists as well as clinicians who see patients with addiction in primary care, emergency/urgent care, treatment centers, or general psychiatry settings.
Sign up now!
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IBT Home Studies
Couldn't make it to a live implicit bias training (IBT) session? Not to worry, our IBT home studies could be right for you! MPA currently offers two IBT home studies. Both meet all current Michigan licensing requirements. Click the buttons below to get started!
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Looking for Something Else? Try MPA's On-Demand CE
In addition, MPA offers other on-demand pharmacy CE on a variety of topics that can be accessed 24/7/365 on its website. Click the button below to view our catalog of programs.
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Registered Pharmacist
Hannahville Indian Community
N14911 Hannahville Rd.
Wilson, MI 49896
This full-time position involves dispensing prescription medications, providing comprehensive drug information and ensuring patients fully understand their prescribed treatment plans. The role includes monitoring patient health and medication effectiveness to promote safe and optimal outcomes. Responsibilities also include accurately filling prescriptions, adhering to all legal and regulatory requirements and overseeing the overall operation of the pharmacy, including billing and compliance. Additionally, this position delegates tasks to pharmacy technicians and ensures proper supervision to maintain high standards of patient care and pharmacy operations.
QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates must possess a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy (BS) or a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) from an accredited U.S. college of pharmacy and hold an active, unrestricted license in good standing with the Michigan Board of Pharmacy. A valid Board of Pharmacy Controlled Substance License is required, along with a Michigan driver’s license that complies with HIC insurance carrier requirements and reliable transportation. CPR certification is necessary or must be obtained within six months of hire. The ideal candidate should have a broad and current knowledge of medications, including potential interactions, as well as strong analytical skills to interpret complex medical information and recommend appropriate solutions. Excellent verbal communication skills are essential for effectively engaging with patients, healthcare providers, and other professionals.
WAGE: Commensurate upon qualifications.
DEADLINE: UNTIL FILLED
How to Apply: Submit completed “Application for Employment” to the Human Resources Department in the Tribal Administration building or mail original application postmarked with copies of licenses and credentials.
Application can be found here: hannahville.net/documents
Employment selection made pursuant to the Hannahville Indian Community Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance (TERO) Title IV Chapter 3. Indian Preference.
| | Upcoming MPA Meetings and Events | | | | |
