Residency Programs: Medication Use Safety and Policy Pharmacy Residency (PGY-2)

Purpose and Goals

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 prac¬tice 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.

The PGY2 Medication Use Safety and Policy Residency is an organized, directed postgraduate program that centers on developing a mastery of knowledge and an expert level of competency in medication use safety and policy. The residency is organized and conducted to develop expert skills and competency in providing drug information, as it relates to formulary management and patient safety in an academic teaching hospital.

The specific goals of the program are for the resident to develop the dedication and skills necessary to:

• be a specialized practitioner with the confidence, competence and compassion necessary to provide comprehensive formulary management and medication safety recommendation to healthcare providers and patients
• take personal responsibility to fulfill all commitments and obligations in a timely manner
• be a fully integrated member of an interdisciplinary team through work in various committees
• provide safe, effective, and appropriate medication therapy
• effectively educate patients/family members, students and health care professionals regarding all medication issues
• demonstrate leadership through participation in interdisciplinary committees and planning groups to improve and maintain safe medication use in the hospital
• conduct research to improve medication use and pharmacy practice

Program

The PGY2 specialty residency program is designed to provide advanced skills and practical experiences in medication use policy and medication safety in the setting of an academic medical center. The resident will have the opportunity to engage with quality leaders and lead departmental and organizational initiatives.

The PGY2 program will build upon the resident’s PGY1 experience and interests. The resident will have opportunities to participate in interdisciplinary and departmental teams independently. Areas of focus include drug information, formulary management, policy development, informatics, medication safety, pharmacy administration, and clinical research. Longitudinal experiences will focus on the development of literature evaluation skills, medical writing, clinical problem solving, and leadership.

The program is flexible to accommodate the resident’s goals, with opportunities to engage in antimicrobial and/or pain/palliative care stewardship and other specialized areas (e.g., toxicology, managed care). This PGY2 program prepares residents for careers in hospital clinical coordination, pharmacy leadership, formulary management, medication safety, informatics, and other related positions. Learning experiences are generally 4 weeks in duration.

Additional Opportunities:

• EPIC proficiency
• Teaching certificate
• Program funded experience or certification (select one)
  • ASHP/ISMP Medication Safety Certificate
  • American Medical Writers Essential Skills Certificate
  • Resident/Faculty trip to Professional Meeting

Core Learning Experiences:

• Drug Information
• Clinical Research
• Medication Use and Policy I and II
• Informatics (8 weeks)
• Medication Safety I and II
• Pharmacy Administration, Regulatory Compliance and Accreditation

Longitudinal Learning Experiences:

• Medication Use and Policy Practice & Precepting
• Clinical Practice Coverage
• Research Project

Elective Learning Experiences:

• Infectious Disease Stewardship
• Managed Care
• Oncology
• Pain and Palliative Care Stewardship
• Toxicology/Poison Information
• Repeat any core learning experience

Program Director

Amy Birch, Pharm.D.

Program Length

Twelve months, beginning in July

Benefits

• Stipend
• 7 days of personal leave
• 5 paid holidays
• Professional time for conferences, research and interviews
• Health insurance
• Dental coverage
• Life insurance
• Educational and professional travel allowances
• Dedicated office space
• Laptop

Application Requirements

Eligibility requirements for the residency program include the following:

• Graduate from an ACPE-accredited college or school of pharmacy with a Doctor of Pharmacy degree
• Completion of an ASHP-accredited Pharmacy (PGY-1) Residency
• Eligible for licensure in the State of Florida – all residents must take their exams prior to the start of the residency
• On-site interview
• For non-resident alien applicants, authorization for employment that is valid through the residency period is required

Application Materials

• Applicant information
• Letter of intent
• Current curriculum vitae
• Letters of recommendation from three (3) professional sources
• Official transcript of applicant’s pharmacy coursework and grades

The application deadline is January 5th.

Application materials should be submitted through PhORCAS.

Contact Information

Residency Coordinator
UF Health Jacksonville
Department of Pharmacy
655 West 8th Street, C-89
Jacksonville, FL 32209

Phone: (904) 244-4157
Fax: (904) 244-4272
E-mail: pharmacyresidency@jax.ufl.edu

After the application is complete and reviewed, the residency selection committee will notify selected applicants to arrange an onsite interview.