Selecting a Residency That’s
Right for You
With so many residency programs to choose from,
it’s important that you know your capabilities and
what you want to accomplish through the residency.
In addition, you’ll want to consider the following
factors:
Accreditation
The first decision is whether to apply for an accredited
or non-accredited residency. ASHP administers the
only process that grants accreditation status to
practice sites conducting pharmacy residencies. In
applicable cases, the accreditation process is conducted
in partnership with AMCP, ACCP, APhA, ASCP, or another
pharmacy association. An accredited residency is
generally
recommended for the following reasons:
- These programs are surveyed periodically to ascertain
that the site is compliant with current standards;
- In-depth information about the programs is available
through the ASHP Residency Directory, the
ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting, and other sources;
and
- Because of the standardization that accreditation
requires, future employers will feel confident
about hiring pharmacists who have completed ASHP-accredited
programs.
There are various reasons a program may not be accredited,
so a more thorough investigation may be necessary
when considering a non-accredited program.
Program
Quality
How do you evaluate the quality of a program? The
best program is the one that most suits your needs.
You can assess the quality of a program by evaluating
things such as the program’s reputation, the institution’s
pharmaceutical care services, and information on
previous residents (e.g., Where are they now?). Other
sources of information include faculty, preceptors,
alumni, and current residents.
Patient
Populations and Services
Be sure the programs you’re considering have appropriate
patient populations and pharmaceutical services,
and staff to match your career goals. Veterans Administration
(VA) medical centers, for example, are ideal sites
for learning about chronic diseases and/or geriatric
patients. However, if you have an interest in pediatrics,
then a program in a children’s hospital with extensive
pediatric services may be more appropriate.
Teaching Commitment
Determine ahead of time exactly what is expected
in terms of teaching pharmacy students, and be sure
you are comfortable with the amount of teaching that
is expected.
Service Commitment (or Staffing)
Expectations
What are the staffing expectations in terms of “on
call,” weekend staffing, and the time required. Ask
about preceptor support when you are “on call.” It
is your responsibility to evaluate whether the type
and amount of staffing is acceptable to you.
Work
Environment
When interviewing or visiting a program, observe
the general atmosphere of the site. Are the staff
professional and supportive when dealing with one
another? Is there a team spirit about the program?
Remember that you will learn and achieve more in
a supportive environment.
Residency
Projects
Residents develop many skills through the residency
project. Ask about the projects of current or previous
residents. Were the projects completed and/or published?
How does a resident decide upon a project? How much
time is allocated to project work?
Competition
for Getting into a Program
Each residency site is different and each espouses
a different philosophy. The objective is to find
a residency where the philosophy of pharmacy practice
fits yours. Some programs are more competitive than
others. Be thorough in your search and honest in
your assessments, and you’ll end up with a program
that meets your needs.
New
Options
Since 1996, ASHP has added pharmacy practice residency
programs with an emphasis in community care, home
care, long-term care, and managed care. There are
a limited number of these programs, but new ones
are being added each year. Click
here to check the Residency Directory for the most up-to-date information.
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