Fall 2009 NYSCHP Student Newsletter What will a residency do for you? • Apply skills that you have learned in school to real patients and real situations • Determine your interests through the variety of rotations you will be able to experience • Qualify for jobs that require residency training, a growing trend in the health care system, from clinical hospital positions, to academia and industry positions • Provides flexibility and adaptability with changing career paths • Develop essential leadership skills • Provides networking opportunities Quick Overview: The first year (PGY1) is the general year. One can choose to specialize in a specific area by completing a second year (PGY2). One must com- plete a PGY1 before going on to a PGY2. There are three types of PGY1 residencies currently accredited by ASHP: pharmacy practice (usually hospital setting), community practice (includes clinics) and managed care. PGY2 specialty areas include but are not limited to infectious diseases, critical care, solid organ transplant, oncology, pediatrics, cardiology, drug information, health administration, pharmacy informatics and geri- atric pharmacy. A full listing and details of available residencies can be found at the ASHP website’s online residency directory. Residencies can be searched by location as well as by specialty. What activities do residents participate in? Pharmacy practice residencies can be thought of as a more intensive version of student clinical rotations. While each residency may have different opportunities specific to that program, typical resident activities include: • Practicing as a pharmacist: going on rounds with a multi- disciplinary team, following up on patients, making interventions, etc… • Research projects, publications • Educational lectures, such as continuing education presentations • Precepting students and other teaching opportunities • Pharmacy committee involvement, such as P&T committees Researching and choosing the best fit residency for you • Do your homework: Research different programs offering residen- cies by using the ASHP website as well as each individual resi- dency’s website, if available. The ASHP online residency directory not only has links to residency websites but also provides contact information as well as a brief description of the program, including available rotations and benefits information. Why do a residency? • Identify your interests: Currently, there are more than 800 resi- dencies nationwide. In order to find the best fit residency foryou, reflect on what you want out of residency training. For example, are there specific populations or pharmacotherapy areas that interest you most? Are you interested in oncology, infectious diseases, psychiatry, geriatrics, or other concentrations? If so, re- search programs that focus on those populations or that at least offersuch rotations so that you can tailor your residency and explore yourinterests. If you are considering a future career in academia or have an interest in teaching, consider programs that offer teaching opportunities, such as precepting students or teaching a course at an affiliated university. In fact, some programs also offer teaching certificates. If you are interested in ambulatory care, consider community prac- tice residencies and VA hospitals, which provide a variety of rota- tions in clinic settings. If you are interested in research, some programs have more of a re- search emphasis than others. Find how many projects and what type of resident projects are required or expected from each residency program. Are there specific courses or trainings offered? What else should I consider when selecting a residency program? • Are you willing to relocate? How far are you willing to travel? • What core rotations are required? Some residencies are more flexible and offer more electives than others. • Would you rather be part of a large program with many resi- dents or a smaller program that has only one or two residents? • Are there also PGY2 opportunities available at the site? • Is the program ASHP accredited or, if it is new, seeking accredi- tation? The Residency Showcase The Residency Showcase at the ASHP Mid-Year Clinical Meeting is an informal way to meet directors, preceptors and current residents ofprograms of interest. Keep in mind that hundreds and hundreds ofprograms set up booths at the showcase which occurs on Monday December 7 th , 2009 and Tuesday December 8 th , 2009. Each program has their own time slot so be sure to check the ASHP website for the time schedules as well as the floor plan. Thus, in order to utilize the limited time most efficiently, research and select some residencies that you are interested in before attending the ASHP Midyear Clini- cal Meeting. Locate those programs at the showcase and ask them questions that will help you determine whether the program is right for you. In addition to speaking with the residency directors and preceptors, ask the current residents about their own experience with the program. Of course, make sure to dress and act professionally as this is the first impression a site may have of you. Page 1
