Program Overview

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Introduction to the PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program

The PGY1 Pharmacy residency program at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital is designed to build upon Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) education and outcomes, developing pharmacist practitioners with knowledge, skills, and abilities as defined in the educational competency areas, goals, and objectives.

Purpose

The purpose of the PGY1 Pharmacy residency program is to develop residents who are skilled in diverse patient care, practice management, leadership, and education, and who are prepared to provide patient care, seek board certification in pharmacotherapy (i.e., BCPS), and pursue advanced education and training opportunities, including postgraduate year two (PGY2) residencies.

Description

The PGY1 Pharmacy program at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital is a one-year ASHP accredited program. Residents will take on the role of clinical pharmacists and provide care to pediatric patients in a variety of patient care settings at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital. A major strength of the program is the large number of clinical faculty members and instructors with many years of experience in various pediatric specialties (e.g., critical care, oncology, acute care peds, transplant) and in the areas of management, health outcomes, medication use policy, and teaching.

Learning Experiences

Rotations

• Rotation blocks are five to six weeks in duration, for a total of eight blocks throughout the residency year.
• All residents will be assigned the seven core blocks and may select ONE elective learning experience.

Sequencing of Learning Experiences

Learning experiences are sequenced such that areas of possible PGY2 specialization occur prior to the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. Sequencing and scheduled experiences are modified during the year based on changes in resident interest and customization based on interests and/or performance.

Sample Schedule

A sample PGY1 BCH schedule is available for review.

Core Rotations

• Orientation
• General Pediatrics
• Pediatric Intensive Care
• Hematology/Oncology
• Medication Use & Outcomes
• Leadership & Management
• Ambulatory Care

Electives

• Neonatal Intensive Care
• Bone Marrow Transplant
• Infectious Disease
• Solid Organ Transplant & Transitional Care - Kidney, Liver
• Transition of Care Services
• Adult Medicine
• Emergency Medicine

Longitudinal Experiences (CORE)

• Research Project (11 months)
• Pharmacy Grand Rounds (Continuing Pharmacist Education) (4 weeks, scheduled based on Grand Rounds schedule)
• Small Group Teaching (6-8 weeks)
• Hospital Committee Member (11 months)
• Operational Drug Distribution (including Code Response and Mock Codes) (11 months)

Longitudinal Experiences (ELECTIVE)

• Resident Wellness Program (events scheduled year-long)

Staffing

Operational Training

All residents receive comprehensive training in each of the operational areas during orientation, including formalized training in sterile compounding and aseptic technique. At the beginning of the residency year, residents are paired with an experienced preceptor who will oversee their operational staffing learning experience throughout the year and provide residents with summative feedback.

Staffing Areas

Operational staffing occurs longitudinally and takes place approximately every third weekend spanning throughout the residency year for a total of 16 weekends. Residents staff in the main pharmacy with an emphasis in order verification and oversight of sterile compounding.

Research

Project Selection

The Residency Program Director receives project proposal submissions from clinical pharmacists for consideration as a resident research project on an annual basis. Projects are reviewed for feasibility and appropriateness of timeline for the resident research process.

Research Training

PGY1 residents participate in the UCSF Research Certificate Program and will gain skills in adhering to a research timeline, creating an appropriate study design and methodology, completing data collection and analysis, and summarizing research findings.

Poster & Platform Presentations

All projects are of a scope suitable for publication. Projects are presented as posters at the UCSF Department of Clinical Pharmacy Spring Research Poster Session and at the Vizient residency session that precedes the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. The final platform presentation occurs in spring at the UC Collaborative Conference in California.

Teaching

Teaching Instruction

Teaching is a focus of the residency at UCSF, and residents participate in the UCSF Teaching Certificate Program. The certificate is awarded upon successful completion of the program and recognizes the significant contributions and skills that are attained during the residency year.

Teaching Experiences

• Teaching opportunities may include the following:
  • Large group teaching (optional)
    • Pediatric Elective Lecture
    • Continuing Pharmacy Education, UCSF Health
  • Interprofessional education to nursing & physician groups
  • Small group facilitation (6-10 weeks, depending on course schedule)
  • Precepting IPPE and APPE students on clinical rotations and project-based work

Code Response

Overview

PGY1 Pharmacy Residency residents are integral members of the interprofessional emergency response care team. Residents will become certified in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and receive hands-on pediatric and adult code training.

Mock Codes & Simulation

PGY1 residents at BCH will participate in multidisciplinary simulation-based mock codes throughout the year in both pediatric and adult clinical practice areas to practice their skills. Residents will also have opportunities to participate in simulation lab sessions at the Kanbar Center for Simulation and Clinical Skills.

Virtual Open House

An annual open house event is offered in the fall for interested applicants. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet and ask questions of current and former residents, preceptors, and the Residency Program Director.

Program Faculty

The program faculty includes experienced clinical pharmacists and instructors with expertise in various pediatric specialties and areas of practice management, health outcomes, medication use policy, and teaching. The faculty provides guidance, support, and mentorship to residents throughout the program.

Conclusion

The PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital is a comprehensive and well-structured program designed to develop skilled pharmacist practitioners with expertise in pediatric patient care, practice management, leadership, and education. The program provides a supportive and stimulating environment for residents to grow and develop their skills, with a focus on preparing them for advanced education and training opportunities, including postgraduate year two (PGY2) residencies.