The PGY1/PGY2 Health-System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership Residency Program at VCU Health System is designed to develop pharmacy leaders by providing the clinical and administrative skills necessary to lead a health-system pharmacy. Upon completion of this two-year, combined residency program, the resident will be prepared to manage processes for the provision of pharmaceutical care, justify the necessity of service modifications, self-monitor and self-direct one’s learning and performance, possess advanced knowledge of health-system organization’s structure in relation to the provision of pharmaceutical care, and function effectively as a member of the health-system leadership team.

This residency program offers the resident the opportunity to concurrently apply for and complete the
Master of Science in Health Administration degree program at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Purpose Statement

PGY1 pharmacy residency programs build on Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) education and outcomes to contribute to the development of clinical pharmacists responsible for medication-related care of patients with a wide range of conditions, eligible for board certification, and eligible for postgraduate year two (PGY2) pharmacy residency training.

PGY2 pharmacy residency programs build on Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) education and PGY1 pharmacy residency programs to contribute to the development of clinical pharmacists in specialized areas of practice. PGY2 residencies provide residents with opportunities to function independently as practitioners by conceptualizing and integrating accumulated experience and knowledge and incorporating both into the provision of patient care or other advanced practice settings. Residents who successfully complete an accredited PGY2 pharmacy residency are prepared for advanced patient care, academic, or other specialized positions, along with board certification, if available.

This residency program is designed to prepare residents to become successful pharmacy leaders by providing a wide array of experiences with leaders in pharmacy administration, renowned clinicians, and world class experts in research, education, and population health. Upon completion of the program, residents will be prepared to accept leadership positions in settings throughout the health care enterprise. 

Qualifications

Applicants must be a Doctor of Pharmacy graduates from an ACPE-accredited school or college of pharmacy; be licensed or eligible for pharmacist licensure in Virginia; and possess requisite patient care training or experience. Pharmacy residents must acquire and maintain a valid license to practice pharmacy in Virginia. The successful applicant must possess exceptional knowledge, communication skills, and leadership qualities.

Residency Goals

• To develop skills and competency in the pharmacy practice areas of acute patient care, drug information and drug use policy development, and health-system pharmacy management (including inpatient and outpatient operations).
• To develop competency in managerial, financial, and organizational components of health-system pharmacy.
• To develop effective organizational, integrative, and analytical skills that will assist the resident in developing new and optimizing existing pharmacy services.
• To develop sufficient knowledge and expertise in pharmacy and health-system compliance with legal, regulatory, safety, and accreditation requirements.

Program Structure and Training Sites

The PGY1/PGY2 Health-System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership resident will gain a broad range of experiences within VCUHS.

The PGY1 year is comprised of required and elective rotations. The rotations are generally five weeks in duration; however, the staffing/operations rotation is longitudinal over the course of the year. The elective rotations are based on the resident's professional interests.

Orientation
Internal Medicine
Critical Care
Pharmacy Administration
Drug Information and Policy
Teaching
Ambulatory Care
Staffing (Longitudinal)

Elective Rotations (3)

Cardiac Surgery ICU
General Cardiology
Cellular Immunotherapy and Transplant
Clinical Toxicology
Coronary Care ICU
Emergency Medicine
Adult Hematology
Adult Infectious Diseases Consult Service
Pediatric Infectious Diseases Consult Service
Medical Respiratory ICU
Neonatal ICU
Neurology
Neuroscience ICU
Adult Oncology
Pediatric Oncology
Pediatric ICU
General Pediatrics
Adult Psychiatry
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Solid Organ Transplant
Acute Care Trauma Surgery
Surgical/Trauma ICU

The PGY2 year of the program will focus on Health-System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership. This portion of the program is comprised of required and elective rotations. The rotations are generally five weeks in duration. The elective rotations are based on the resident’s professional interests.

PGY2 - Clinical Services Management
PGY2 - Health-System Management
PGY2 - Inpatient Operations I
PGY2 - Medication Safety Rotation (LONGITUDINAL or Block)
PGY2 - Orientation
PGY2 - Pharmacy Informatics (LONGITUDINAL or Block)
PGY2 - Supply Chain and Inventory Management
PGY2 - Annual Advisor/Development (LONGITUDINAL)
PGY2 - Finance (LONGITUDINAL)
PGY2 - Human Resources (LONGITUDINAL)
PGY2 - Leadership (LONGITUDINAL)
PGY2 - Manager On Call (LONGITUDINAL)
PGY2 - Presentations
PGY2 - Research (LONGITUDINAL)
PGY2 - Staffing (LONGITUDINAL)
PGY2 - Supervisory Experience (LONGITUDINAL)
PGY2 - VCU Health System Committee (LONGITUDINAL)

Elective Rotations (2 generally 5 week blocks)

PGY1/PGY2 - Teaching Experience (APPE or Activities-Based)
PGY2 - 340B Apexus Operations
PGY2 - Academic Leadership (LONGITUDINAL)
PGY2 - Advanced Ambulatory Operations
PGY2 - MSHA Strategic Plan Project (HADE 648)
PGY2 - Inpatient Operations II
PGY2 - Investigational Drug Service
PGY2 - Pharmacy Informatics/ Data Analytics
PGY2 - Specialty Pharmacy Operations
Other rotation options, such as advanced versions of required PGY1 or PGY2 rotations, may be available depending on the resident’s interest

Residency Responsibilities

The residency program complements and enhances the background and career goals of the candidate. In general, the resident’s responsibilities are:

• Patient care: The resident will directly provide pharmaceutical care to the patient and assist members of the health care team.
• Management of medication use systems: The resident will work on various projects and quality improvement initiatives during their experiential training.
• Development of communication and decision-making skills: The resident will participate in and may serve on various committees; implement services or programs in the health-system; participate in administrative on-call (during the PGY 2 year); and apply the principles of human resource management.
• Research: The resident will be responsible for the development and successful completion of a major project during each year of the two-year residency program.
• Teaching: The resident is given an academic faculty appointment as a Clinical Instructor in the VCU School of Pharmacy and have opportunities to provide didactic instruction (e.g., lectures, team-based learning sessions, case conferences) and experiential training (e.g., APPEs) for Doctor of Pharmacy students from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy. Residents may participate in an elective teaching and learning certificate program.

Program Leadership

Program Director, HSPAL Rodney L. Stiltner, PharmD, MS Director, Department of Pharmacy Services Clinical Associate Professor of Pharmacy      PharmD, Mercer University      MS, University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics      Residency in Pharmacy Practice, Charleston Area Medical Center, West Virginia      Residency in Management Pharmacy Practice, University of Wisconsin Medical Center Hospitals and Clinics

Assistant Program Director, HSPAL
Natalie Nguyen, PharmD, MSHA
Pharmacy Manager, Medication Safety
           PharmD, VCU School of Pharmacy
           PGY1/PGY2 HSPAL Residency, VCU Health

Coordinator, Pharmacy Residency Programs

Application Process

Application is made through the PhORCAS process. The application deadline is January 3, 2025. For application instructions and other information regarding virtual informational sessions including the virtual ASHP Midyear Showcase, please visit the Application Process section of this website.

Number of Positions

1

Salary and Benefits

The salary for PGY1 pharmacy residents at VCU Health System is $58,000.

The salary for PGY2 pharmacy residents at VCU Health System is $60,000.

Duration of Appointment

The pharmacy resident's contract at VCU Health System will begin on July 1 of the program year. The pharmacy residency will be completed on June 30 of the subsequent year.

Vacation and Holiday Leave

Two weeks (10 days) are granted for paid vacation or personal leave. This may be taken during rotations throughout the year. At least 10 days of paid holiday leave are provided during the year. Discretionary leave (personal or vacation leave) is pre-approved by the resident's rotation preceptor, the residency program director, and the residency programs coordinator. In general, the resident will be absent no more than five days during any rotation.

Sick Leave

Five days of paid sick leave are provided as baseline leave. After complete use of sick and vacation leave, unpaid leave is utilized and the need to extend the residency is considered.

Educational and Professional Leave

Twelve days are provided for educational and professional leave. This includes but is not limited to, attendance at professional meetings (e.g., ASHP, ACCP, SCCM, NCS), interviews, licensure or board exams, visitation to other medical center(s) or national pharmacy organizations, or participation in a medical mission.

Health Benefits

The VCU Health System provides a health insurance policy, to each pharmacy resident. Coverage includes outpatient physician visits and laboratory tests. Prescription, dental, vision, and family coverage are available through payroll deduction with the respective co-pay and vary with the level of coverage desired.

Liability Insurance

VCU Health System is self-insured and provides professional liability (malpractice) insurance, subject to policy limits, for each pharmacy resident. Insurance covers professional service when on-duty within the institution. It does not cover professional services (e.g., moonlighting or consulting activities) provided at other facilities or institutions. This malpractice insurance will cover all acts of alleged medical negligence while a resident is at VCU Health System. Residents may choose to enhance the professional liability insurance with a personal liability policy.

Moonlighting

Residents are permitted to seek additional, paid staffing as a pharmacist upon approval of their program director. For convenience, the additional staffing usually occurs within VCU Health System. Moonlighting, in general, will not extend to greater than 16 hours weekly. Additional staffing which conflicts with residency requirements is not permitted.

Office Space and Resources

The Department of Pharmacy Services provides office space for the residents. Residents may access patient information and drug information throughout VCUHS and from home via remote access.

Health and Recreation Facilities

Residents have access to VCU recreational facilities, including exercise equipment, weight rooms, aerobic activities, basketball courts and swimming pools, at a reduced membership fee.

Parking

Parking is provided on the VCU Medical Center campus through payroll deduction at the reduced, house staff rate.