Pharmacy PGY2 Medication-Use Safety and Policy Residency

• Deadline for application – January 5
• Application materials must be submitted via PhORCAS™
• ASHP Midyear PPS or telephone interview is required prior to application submission
• Interview required (Mondays or Fridays in January or February)
• Start Date: early July
• Annual Salary $65,000
• Benefits include 160 hours of leave for personal time off and conference attendance, 100 hours of sick leave, medical insurance, medical library, medical graphics department, information technology support, office with dedicated computer and references
• Meetings funded include ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and one additional professional meeting
• Numerous Board Certified Preceptors
• Diverse drug information, medication safety, and medication use management learning experiences with tailored instruction and electives for the individual resident based on interest(s) and career goals
• Quality improvement or research project required to be completed with presentation at a local or national meeting
• Additional professional writing opportunities as need arises
• Professional presentations: Pharmacy Grand Rounds (ACPE-accredited), P&T presentations, poster presentation, shared student instruction, journal club
• Precepting / mentoring opportunities – University of Houston and University of Texas College of Pharmacy student clerkship precepting, institutional Pharm.D. Shared Student Instruction, PGY-1 Pharmacy Resident precepting
• Teaching certificate program through University of Houston College of Pharmacy if needed

Learning Experiences
Learning experiences are organized as a combination of rotational, extended, longitudinal, and concentrated formats. Residents are required to meet with the preceptors prior to starting the experience to review the goals/objectives and expectations of the rotation. The resident’s daily responsibilities will be under the direction of the assigned preceptor. There may be revisions to this schedule based on individual resident performance, preceptor recommendations, or other factors. Any changes in the schedule must be approved by the preceptor(s) and the residency program director (RPD). Evaluations are required for each learning experience in PharmAcademic and should be completed during the last week of rotation or no later than one week after completion of the rotation. Evaluations for longitudinal rotations will be completed quarterly.

Required Rotational/Extended Experiences
The resident is required to successfully complete all PGY2 Medication-Use Safety and Policy residency learning experiences, including:

• Drug Information I
  
• Drug Information II
• Medication Safety I
• Medication Safety II
• Regulatory and Quality
• Clinical Pharmacy Informatics I
• Drug Shortages

Elective Rotational/Extended Learning Experiences
The resident is required to successfully complete two or three, 3-4 week elective experiences. Elective experiences may include additional on-site experiences or an off-site rotation based on resident interest and preceptor availability. Resident interest and a specific elective experience should be discussed with the RPD at least six months in advance to ensure availability. Off-site experiences cannot always be guaranteed and are dependent on external availability.

• Antimicrobial Stewardship
• Anticoagulation Stewardship
• Investigational Pharmacy Services
• Clinical Pharmacy Informatics II
• Direct Patient Care Clinical Experiences (e.g., Pediatrics, Palliative Care, Internal Medicine)
• Institute for Safe Medication Practices

• Committee Involvement
  
• Medication Use Evaluation
• Formulary Management On-Call Service
• Education and Training (e.g., teaching, inservices, pharmacy grand rounds, shared student instruction, etc.)
• Research and/or Quality Improvement project
• Writing Project

Service Component – Weekend/Holiday Coverage
Residents will serve as the Formulary On-Call Pharmacist for approximately 14 weeks throughout the residency. The Formulary On-Call Pharmacist’s role is to review any nonformulary and formulary restricted/restricted with approval medication orders based on criteria established by the Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee and institutional policy. The resident will also be responsible for appropriately escalating requests not meeting the approval criteria through established processes. For each assigned week, the resident will provide coverage for the Formulary On-Call Service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Residents may be assigned holiday coverage as well.

Committee Involvement
The resident will have the opportunity to coordinate and participate in numerous pharmacy and institutional committees (e.g., Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, Medication Use Safety Team, Medication Management Committee) throughout the residency year. Expectations include timely attendance at all meetings, active involvement in the committee as assigned by the RPD, adherence to set deadlines, and minute taking for the meetings.

Longitudinal Research Project
The resident is required to successfully complete one research or quality improvement project for successful completion of the residency program. The project is typically retrospective in nature and will be conducted in collaboration with pharmacists, physicians, and others from across the institution. At the beginning of the residency year, the resident will be provided a list of project ideas to choose from or may develop his/her own idea with approval from the RPD. A project mentor will be identified to assist the resident with the project and ensure completion. The resident will be required to present their findings in a number of venues, including (but not limited to) local pharmacy groups, institutional committee meetings, and others.

Writing Project
All residents will complete a writing project during the residency. The purpose of the writing project is to sharpen writing skills for publication, and learn publication procedures. The writing project is usually related to the above major pharmacy project. Additional writing opportunities may be provided in the form of a review article, expanded case report, or other types of manuscripts. The length of the manuscript will vary, and be that necessary to comprehensively convey the topic to the reader. Early in the residency year the resident will identify a topic and preceptor to work with on their writing project. The topic must be approved by the preceptor and the program director. The manuscript should be in publication format prior to completion of the residency. The preceptor’s responsibility will be to assist the resident in reviewing and revising the manuscript for the publication purposes.

Grand Rounds
Each resident is required to present a Grand Rounds to the Division of Pharmacy complete with continuing pharmacy education accreditation (ACPE). This is a formal presentation complete with slides and handout. The audience is primarily pharmacists, but it is open to other health professionals. Grand Rounds are usually scheduled between October and May each year. Presentation topics for Grand Rounds are determined by a needs assessment per ACPE requirements. Each resident will be assigned a preceptor. The preceptor’s responsibility is to serve as a content expert by reviewing and revising presentation content as well as ensuring deadlines are met by the resident. Deadlines for continuing pharmacy education requirements will be provided by the Grand Rounds coordinators.

Interactive Learning Topics
All residents will participate in monthly topic discussions with the residency program director and/or members of pharmacy leadership in order to gain experience/exposure to residency goals and objectives not covered during scheduled learning experiences. Examples of these discussions include: professionalism and credibility, credentialing and drug therapy management, technology and automation, pharmacy budget planning, etc.

Conference / Seminar Attendance
Funding will be provided for the resident to attend the following conferences: ASHP Midyear Meeting and the Vizient Pharmacy Network Meeting. The resident may attend other local / national conferences as designated by the RPD.

Experiential Precepting
The resident is required to become a licensed preceptor with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, which necessitates completion of 3 hours of preceptor CE. Residents will participate in precepting opportunities for students from the University of Texas College of Pharmacy, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, and PGY1 pharmacy residents as they become available and based on the interest of the PGY2 Medication-Use Safety and Policy resident.

Teaching Certificate Program
Residents who have not previously completed a teaching certificate program may choose to participate in the University of Houston College of Pharmacy teaching certificate program, which is offered to all pharmacy residents in the Houston area. The purpose of the program is to provide a formal training program for pharmacy residents to gain knowledge and to demonstrate effectiveness in the areas of teaching, leadership, and scholarship. The program consists of three components: 1) Weekly Seminars 2) Teaching Experience 3) Teaching Portfolio.

What is the goal of the residency?
The goal of the PGY2 Pharmacy Residency in Medication-Use Safety and Policy is to develop practitioners capable of serving as an expert on drug information and optimal medication use in a hospital/health-system setting. Graduates from the program will be prepared to assume a position in drug information, formulary management, drug shortage management, drug-use policy, medication safety, policy and accreditation, drug utilization, or related role within health system pharmacy.

How is the residency offered?
The residency program provides a broad range of medication use management experiences including formulary management and implementation, drug shortage management, policy and accreditation, fostering a culture of safety, evaluating and reporting adverse drug reactions and medication errors, and quality improvement. The program allows for tailored instruction for the individual resident based on interest(s), past experience, and future goals.

Is the Program Accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)?
Yes, the program received a full-cycle (8 year) accreditation by the Commission on Credentialing of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists in 2020.

Is Participation in the ASHP Match Program Required?
Yes, participation in the match program for the PGY2 Medication-Use Safety and Policy Residency program is required. The deadline for application is January 5, 2024. The program code number for the Resident Matching Program will be provided by the program director. Please review match requirements and process at www.natmatch.com.

How many resident positions are available and what are the requirements?
There is one position available for recruitment starting early July. A Pharm.D. degree and prior completion of an ASHP-accredited PGY-1 residency is required along with an on-site and/or virtual interview.

What should I expect at the time of the on-site interview?
Applicants should be prepared to assume the travel and lodging costs for the interview, if needed, as MD Anderson does not have a mechanism to provide compensation for the interview. The interview process entails a full day (approximately 8 a.m.-5 p.m.) of meetings with preceptors, administrative staff, current residents, and a tour of the facilities. A short presentation will be required and presented to the pharmacy staff during the interview. More information will be provided prior to the interview. Interviews will be conducted during the months of January and February.

How and when is the resident selected for the residency?
The resident is selected by the Division of Pharmacy based on multiple factors including their past education and training, performance during the on-site or virtual interview and their overall match with the PGY2 Medication-Use Safety and Policy Residency program. The resident position is not offered in advance of the Resident Matching Program in March. The matching process will be discussed during the on-site interview.

Does the resident need to be licensed in the state of Texas?
The resident must be eligible for licensure (via reciprocity or examination) upon acceptance into the program. It is highly recommended that the resident complete all necessary examinations / processes for licensure prior to starting the program in July. It is mandatory that the resident is licensed by the Texas State Board of Pharmacy by October 1 in order to continue in the program.

Who is the PGY 2 Medication-Use Safety and Policy Program Director and who are the preceptor faculty?
Ryan Roux, Vice President, Division of Pharmacy
Judy L. Chase, Director, Clinical Pharmacy Services
Mara Villanueva, Director, PGY2 Medication-Use Safety and Policy Residency program

What expectations are placed on the resident?
The resident is expected to make a commitment to satisfactorily complete all requirements of the program, as planned in advance and agreed upon between the resident and the program director. This commitment will include attendance at required meetings and programs, and the availability and willingness to participate in any function of the Division of Pharmacy on a 24-hour basis. The resident is required to complete documentation and evaluations for all activities and experiences and objectives accomplished. Professional licensure in the state of Texas is required, as is membership and participation in appropriate professional organizations.

What are the service commitments?
In addition to the scheduled and elective rotations, the resident will participate in coverage for the Formulary Management On-Call Service for approximately 14 weeks throughout the 12-month residency.

What presentations or publications are expected of the resident?
The resident will be expected to present their major project at the Vizient Pharmacy Network Meeting and the results at the regional residents’ conference and at MD Anderson during a research and quality celebration. In addition, the resident is required to participate in assigned projects and provide topic presentations for pharmacists, medical staff, residents, and students as appropriate. The resident is required to present a Pharmacy Grand Rounds on a topic of his or her choice complete with ACPE continuing education credit. Additionally, the resident will present journal clubs and P&T monographs and/or class reviews. The resident will also be expected to prepare a manuscript suitable for publication.

How is the resident evaluated?
The program at MD Anderson is not based upon a set number of "hours" in each experience area. Rather, it is based upon behavioral plus competency-based objectives covering all the areas of the learning experience in the program. The resident is evaluated directly by preceptor faculty against the pre-assigned rotation objectives for each learning experience. Additionally, the resident evaluates his/her preceptors and overall program content for each learning experience. This program utilizes the Residency Learning System (RLS) and PharmAcademic.

What support is offered for educational trips and seminars?
Every attempt is made to financially support trips for the resident to attend educational seminars and programs. Priority programs include the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and the Vizient Pharmacy Network Meeting. Additionally, residents are encouraged to attend local and state programs as appropriate.

What stipend and benefit program is offered?
The stipend is $65,000. MD Anderson provides a competitive and comprehensive benefit plan. There is no financial support for moving and living expenses, but relocation information is provided that educational trainees find very beneficial.

What other support is available to the resident during the residency?
The Division of Pharmacy provides lab coats and scrubs to the residents. An office specifically for the residents is provided with individual desks and computers, books, and supplies. MD Anderson provides an on-line library, on-site medical graphics department, PDA support and professional support. Additionally, the Texas Medical Center has a large medical library within walking distance.

What living arrangements are available for the resident?
Houston offers a wide variety of housing opportunities, including many apartments and townhouses near the Texas Medical Center. The University of Texas maintains an apartment complex near the hospital for residents and students. This complex, as well as others, has a regular shuttle service to the hospital.

What entertainment and cultural opportunities are available in the Houston area?
Houston offers every possible opportunity for enjoyment of the arts, entertainment, sports and recreation. The city offers major league sports, outstanding shopping areas and several special attractions such as the Johnson Space Center, Moody Gardens, Toyota Center, NRG Stadium, Minute Maid Park, Kemah Boardwalk and the beaches of the Texas Gulf Coast.

Application Instructions:

• Contact Residency Program Director prior to starting the application process.
• ASHP Midyear PPS or telephone interview is required prior to application submission
• Applications must be submitted via the Phorcas system™
• Application(s) must be submitted no later than January 5.
• Participation in ASHP Resident Matching Program is required for all Residency Programs
• See the "International Visa Information" tab for more information regarding this

The following application materials must be submitted via the PhORCAS™ online application system by January 5:

• A Statement of Intent (not to exceed one typewritten page) describing your career goals and reasons for pursuing the residency program
• Curriculum Vitae
• Official Transcript from Pharmacy College/University  indicating date of graduation and degree earned (originals required via PhORCAS™)
• Reference Form in PhORCAS™ completed by THREE References
  • MDACC requires comments to be made in all sections of the Recommendation Form in addition to the reference ratings section being completed
  • No additional LORs are required

Interview Requirements and Scheduling:

• An interview is required.
• All candidates will be notified of their interview status by January 20
• Interviews will be conducted in January and February, after receipt of all application materials.

Upon release of the match results, candidates who match with our institution will need to complete an institution specific application and requirements for appointment via the MD Anderson New Innovations© online application system. The New Innovations© system is a web-based database utilized to streamline the institution appointment process. More information about this process will be provided at the time of resident appointment.

For questions regarding the application process, please contact Mara Villanueva, Director PGY2 Medication-Use Safety and Policy Pharmacy Residency program via email (mvillanueva2@mdanderson.org) or phone 713-794-1084.

Due to international visa approval processing timelines and restraints with our onboarding process, we are unable to sponsor or accommodate all visas for foreign pharmacy residency applicants. Please see below regarding specifications of each international visa:

• J-1 or H1-B: MD Anderson does not sponsor for pharmacists or pharmacy residents.
• TN-1 (Canadian and Mexican citizens): MD Anderson may be eligible for sponsorship provided the pharmacy resident meets all requirements. For more information, please contact the Residency Program Director.
• F-1 OPT (PGY1 residency candidates): In addition to MD Anderson not being able to sponsor pharmacy residents, the processing time to obtain F-1 OPT is not congruent with our onboarding/appointment process. Therefore, we are unable to accommodate residents with a F-1 OPT visa.
• F-1 STEM OPT (Current PGY1 residents seeking PGY2 residency): MD Anderson is unable to sponsor or accommodate pharmacy residents at this time.

If you have any questions, please contact the Residency Program Director.