FAQ

Answers to Common Residency Questions

What is the difference between the PGY1 – Acute Care Electives and PGY1 – Ambulatory Care Electives programs?

The required rotations are the same for both programs. Some elective rotations are specific to each program and may only be taken by residents from that program. The committee assignments for each program are also different (inpatient-based committees for the PGY1- Acute Care Electives program and ambulatory-based for the PGY1- Ambulatory Care Elective program). Both programs are designed to give a well-rounded PGY1 experience.

Can I apply for both PGY1 – Acute Care Electives and PGY1 – Ambulatory Care Electives programs?

Yes. Applicants have the option to apply for both programs in PhORCAS, but must apply separately and pay separate fees. The same letters of recommendation can be used for both programs. An applicant may choose to submit different cover letters desired.

What is a unit-based pharmacy staffing model?

Unit-based pharmacy staffing consists of an inpatient pharmacist working on a particular unit of the hospital providing care to the patients on that specific unit including but not limited to: order verification, pharmacokinetic dosing, patient education, drug information questions, rounding responsibilities, and nursing and physician questions.

How long are the rotations?

Rotations are either 6-week blocks or longitudinal (52 weeks) throughout the year. The only exceptions are Orientation and Pharmacokinetics which are both 7 weeks at the beginning of the residency year, Medication-Use Evaluation rotation which is longitudinal (26 weeks) scheduled during the first half of the residency year and the HIV elective which is longitudinal (12 weeks).

Why are some rotations longitudinal?

Some rotations are spread out throughout the year to improve the overall experience. For example, the HIV clinic is only staffed by our HIV pharmacist on certain days of the week, so only scheduling a 6 week rotation would limit the number of days the resident could spend in the clinic.

What are the staffing obligations of the pharmacy residents?

Upon training and licensure, residents are expected to work their scheduled weekends and holidays in the hospital. Residents are also scheduled intermittent shifts in the inpatient pharmacy. If taken as an elective, residents from the PGY-1 Ambulatory Care Electives program will work in the internal medicine residency clinic every other week throughout the year.

What are some of the research projects past residents have participated in?

Our research projects usually consist of creation of new pharmacy services or process improvements. Past examples include: 

Ambulatory pharmacist impact on diabetes-related statin quality measure in primary care clinics, Impact of admission medication history services at a community teaching hospital, Naloxone distribution from the emergency department at a community teaching hospital, and Pharmacist impact on fall reduction in older adults with a high anticholinergic burden.

Do your ambulatory care sites have collaborative practice agreements?

Yes, most of our sites have collaborative practice agreements.

Does your program participate in community service events?

Yes, our residency program participates in various local events including brown bag events, drug take back programs and medication safety outreach events.

How do your residents pick their research projects?

We take resident interests and/or suggestions for projects into consideration. We also review and rank projects according to our needs, core values and impact on organizational strategic aims.

Does your program offer a formal mentorship program?

Yes.

What if you have questions about the PGY2 Ambulatory Care Program?

Please contact Carolyn (Carrie) Jung, PharmD, BCACP at Carolyn.jung@trinity-health.org.

Are there requirements for the PGY1 residents to precept students?

Yes, the residents are expected to help precept pharmacy students on APPE rotations, specifically internal medicine. Additional student precepting opportunities are available depending on resident interest.