PGY1 Specialty Pharmacy Residency
The PGY1 Pharmacy Residency with a focus in Specialty Pharmacy is an American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP) pre-candidate twelve-month residency program designed to provide skill development in patient care (acute and ambulatory), teaching, research, practice advancement, and leadership.
Purpose Statement
PGY-1 Residency with Specialty Pharmacy focus builds upon your Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) education and outcomes to develop pharmacist practitioners with knowledge, skills, and abilities as defined in the educational competency areas, goals, and objectives. Residents who successfully complete PGY1 residency programs will be skilled in diverse patient care, practice management, leadership, and education, and be prepared to provide patient care, seek board certification in pharmacotherapy (i.e., BCPS), and pursue advanced education and training opportunities including postgraduate year two (PGY2) residencies.
Qualifications
Applicants must be 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 specialty patient care, acute patient care, drug information and drug use policy development, and health-system pharmacy management
- To develop teaching skills in didactic and experiential training of Doctor of Pharmacy students
- To develop and enhance written and oral communication skills
- To provide experience with quality improvement, research, and practice advancement
- To develop and enhance organizational and leadership skills
- To provide a foundation for additional training in a PGY2 residency
Program Structure
The program is comprised of required and elective clinical rotations. The elective rotations are based on the resident's professional interests. Additionally, residents are required to complete an orientation to the health system and a longitudinal staffing/operations experience over the course of the year (generally 17 weekends per year plus one major and one minor holiday). Other requirements include coordination of one annual leadership activity and attendance at Education and Development Series (EDS) sessions (generally scheduled monthly).
Required Rotations
-Five block rotations (3-5 weeks each)
- Administration / Practice Management / Accreditation (5 weeks)
- Internal Medicine (5 weeks)
- Drug Information and Policy (3-5 weeks)
-Two concurrent rotations (2-3 days per week for 10 weeks)
- Autoimmune Disorders/Inflammatory Conditions
- Pediatrics (Pulmonary, Asthma/Allergy, Cystic Fibrosis, and Pulmonary Hypertension)
Elective Rotations
-Two concurrent rotations (2-3 days per week for 10 weeks)
- Cardiology
- Dermatology/Osteoporosis
- Hepatitis B/C, HIV, Infectious Disease
- Gastrointestinal
- Neurology/Movement Disorders/Multiple Sclerosis
- Oncology/Hematology
- Pulmonary
- Transplant
Longitudinal Projects
- Research Project
- Continuing Education Presentation
- Journal Club
- Case Conference
- Medication Use Evaluation/P&T Involvement
- Medication Policy Management (drug class review, monograph)
- Staffing (every 3rd weekend)
- On-call (every 8th weekend)
- Teaching Certificate/Lecture at VCU School of Pharmacy (optional)
Teaching
PGY1 Pharmacy residents receive an academic faculty appointment as a Clinical Instructor at 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 VCU School of Pharmacy. Residents are required to facilitate six small group teaching sessions at the VCU School of Pharmacy and Residents may participate in an elective Teaching and Learning Certificate program.
Research and Quality Improvement
Each resident is responsible for initiating and successfully completing a longitudinal research or quality improvement project, with a poster presentation at a national meeting and a platform presentation at a regional residency conference. An advisor and additional support guide the resident through the process. Potential research or quality improvement projects are presented to the residents at the start of the residency program, and residents will have the opportunity to rank their project preferences.
On-Call
The PGY1 Specialty Resident will participate in the Specialty Pharmacy on-call program.
Program Leadership
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Program Director, PGY1 Specialty Pharmacy Residency Program Meghan Beard, PharmD, BCPS Lead Clinical Pharmacist, Specialty Pharmacy PharmD, VCU School of Pharmacy |
Accreditation
This program is in pre-candidate status by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and participates in the ASHP/NMS PGY1 Matching Program and PhORCAS. For details, visit the ASHP PhORCAS website.
Recruitment
Visit our Application and Recruitment page for more information on our virtual sessions and ASHP showcase and Personal Placement Service participation.
Number of Positions
1
Salary and Benefits
The salary for PGY1 pharmacy residents at VCU Health System is approximately $58,000.
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.
Leave and Benefits
Two weeks (10 days) of paid vacation or personal leave are granted. Additionally, 9 days of paid holiday leave and 5 days of paid sick leave are provided. Residents also receive 2 days of family/self-care leave and 10 days for educational or professional leave.
Health Benefits
The VCU Health System provides a health insurance policy, including outpatient physician visits, lab tests, and optional dental, vision, and family coverage.
Liability Insurance
VCU Health System provides professional liability (malpractice) insurance for each pharmacy resident. The policy covers professional service within the institution.
Moonlighting
Residents may pursue additional paid staffing within VCU Health System upon program director approval, not exceeding 16 hours weekly.
Office Space and Resources
Office space and remote access to patient and drug information are provided for residents.
Health and Recreation Facilities
Residents have access to VCU recreational facilities at a reduced membership fee.
Parking
Parking and health-system shuttles are available on the VCU Medical Center campus at no cost.