PGY1 pharmacy residency programs build on Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) education and outcomes to contribute to the development of clinical pharmacists responsible for medication-related care of patients with a wide range of conditions and comorbidities. Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) aims to graduate highly skilled pharmacists with the tools necessary to provide quality patient care as members of interprofessional health care teams. Emphasis will be placed on communication, lifelong learning, evidence-based medication management and safety in the unique setting of a community hospital, giving graduates a strong foundation to pursue a career as pharmacy clinicians or further training in a PGY2 residency.
Our core rotations span a variety of common patient populations and disease states. In partnership with our physicians and hospital staff, the purpose of the Residency is to prepare newly-graduated pharmacist clinicians for direct patient care positions in an acute care setting. The program aims to ensure optimal pharmaceutical care while upholding Northern Arizona Healthcare’s mission, vision and values. As a division of Pharmacy Services, the program will strive to provide cost effective and compassionate care, health care excellence, and superior service to our patients and their families consistent with clinical quality and safety standards.
Goals
Resident who complete the program will be prepared to:
- Serve as a confident, competent independent practitioner with in-depth knowledge of disease states and medication management.
- Promote the appropriate, safe and effective use of medications.
- Contribute to the education of pharmacy learners, the interdisciplinary team and patients.
- Obtain a position as a clinical pharmacist or a PGY2 Resident.
Learning Experiences – Rotation Blocks are 6 weeks in duration for a total of 8 blocks throughout the year (with the exception of orientation which is 4 weeks). All residents will be assigned the 6 required learning experiences and may select 2 elective learning experiences. Residents will also be provided additional Longitudinal Learning Experience rotations throughout the residency year.
Learning experiences are sequenced such that areas of PGY2 interest occur prior to the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. Sequencing and scheduled experiences are modified during the year based on interests and/or performance with input from the Resident, the RAC and RPD. In addition to experiential learning, residents will be given structured learning and project time as well as weekly pharmacotherapy time for presentation of cases, journal clubs or preceptor-led topic discussions.
Required Rotations
- Orientation (4 weeks)
- Internal Medicine I (Anticoagulation Focus)
- Internal Medicine II (Pharmacokinetic/Nutrition Focus)
- Critical Care I – MICU
- Emergency Medicine
- Infectious Disease
- Research and Practice Management
Elective Rotations
- Critical Care II – Trauma and Cardiovascular
- Oncology
- Pediatrics
- Repeat Required Rotation (more in depth)
- ASHP Rotation in Association Management (based on ASHP acceptance and availability)
Longitudinal Learning Experiences (Required)
- Emergency Response – ACLS and PALS (complete within 6 months)
- Medication Safety and Drug Information
- Teaching Certificate
- Research and/or QI Project (must be approved by RPD)
- Pharmacy Practice Component (One weekend approx. every 3 weeks averaged over 3 months
Project
Each resident is required to complete at least one residency project. The project may apply to specific medications, drug classes, disease states or conditions, parts of the medication-use system, workflows, technology implementation, policies and procedures, or outcome measures. The overall goal of a project is to increase the resident’s knowledge of project design and management, data analysis and to improve patient care. Residents will be provided with a project mentor to help them design and implement their endeavor. All projects will be pre-approved by the RPD.
Attendance at professional meetings
The department will support the resident (expenses and leave time) to attend ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and a local Residency Conference (Southwestern or Western States Residency Conference). Any additional travel to be supported by the department will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Pharmacy Practice Component – ‘staffing’
Each resident is required to complete a pharmacy practice component of the residency program. Often referred to as “staffing,” this component is crucial to the development of professional practice. With this experience, residents will gain proficiency in distribution skills, incorporation of clinical services and development of personnel management skills. They also will develop insight into the operations, policies and procedures of acute care facilities. Guidelines for the Pharmacy Practice Component include:
- Each resident is expected to practice as a pharmacist throughout the residency year.
- PGY1 residents are required to staff every third weekend (averaged over 3 months)
- Residents, as members of the Pharmacy Department, are expected to assist with holiday coverage during the residency year. Residents are expected to cover one winter holiday (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day) and one minor holiday (Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day). Every effort will be made to accommodate a resident’s preference for the specific holiday assignment. The final day and shift for winter and minor holidays will be mutually agreed upon with the area manager.
- Residents may choose to cover additional pharmacist shifts and will be compensated at a pharmacist rate, however any additional coverage outside of the assigned residency program staffing component will count toward duty hour policy limitations.
- Evaluations of residents’ performance in this component of the program are completed quarterly during the residency year. Residents are expected to complete an evaluation of the staffing component and offer suggestions for improvement of operational procedures.