Program Overview

The purpose of the PGY1 Pharmacy Residency program at Regional One Health is to build on Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) education and outcomes to contribute to the development of clinical pharmacists responsible for medication-related care of patients with a wide range of conditions, eligible for pre accreditation status, and eligible for postgraduate year two (PGY2) pharmacy residency training.

The Regional One Health PGY1 pharmacy residency prepares clinical pharmacists for tertiary care health-system practice, to serve as adjunct faculty for colleges of pharmacy, and/or to pursue a PGY2 residency in a specialized area of practice, particularly ambulatory care, medicine, or critical care. Pharmacists completing this program will be capable of conducting their practice with a high level of maturity and leadership and be able to perform practice-related projects.

The PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency Program at Regional One Health is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. The 12-month (2,080 hour minimum) program is composed of advanced pharmacy experiences. Residents receive training and develop professional competence in the delivery of patient-centered care and pharmacy services. The program helps ensures the success of residents and that exemplary pharmacists are identified for further development for contributions to patient care and for the benefit of the profession. Residents must be pharmacists committed to attaining excellence in professional competence beyond entry-level practice, committed to attaining our program’s educational goals and objectives, and passionately support our organization’s mission and values.

To fulfill these requirements, required practice experiences are offered in the following areas:

  • Ambulatory Care
  • Drug Information, Drug Policy Development, and Practice Management
  • Critical Care- General, Trauma, or Burn
  • Inpatient Drug Distribution
  • Internal Medicine I and II
  • Nutrition Support
  • Specialized Clinical Pharmacy Services (Anticoagulation and Pharmacokinetics)

Electives offered include:

  • Critical Care
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Infectious Disease
  • Inpatient Rehabilitation
  • Long-term Acute Care (LTAC)
  • Medicine III
  • Neonatology
  • OB/GYN
  • Specialty Pharmacy
  • Surgery

Residents work eight clinical weekends a year and staff one evening shift per week in the central pharmacy.

During each experience, the resident is expected to perform independently and demonstrate proficiency in pharmacy practice. Clinical staff members with practice responsibilities in these areas serve as preceptors for the training experiences. Residents will spend required months in ambulatory care, critical care, inpatient drug distribution, specialized clinical pharmacy services, medicine, drug information/drug policy development/practice management, surgery, with three months of electives from any of the above experiences. Three elective experiences permit the resident to expand abilities and skills in areas of particular interest. The broad scope of pharmacy services offered provides flexibility to pursue individual goals.

During the program, the resident must complete a self-directed research project. The scope, magnitude and type of project may vary widely according to individual interests but must be completed in a manner suitable for presentation and publication. The resident presents the research project at a regional residency conference in the spring.

The residents participate in the University of Tennessee Teaching and Learning Program. This program and other educational components of the residency program enables the resident to develop teaching and training skills by participating in education programs for patients, pharmacy students, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other allied health practitioners.

Application Requirements

Applicants for the PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency should hold a Doctor of Pharmacy, have a GPA of greater than or equal to 3.2, and must be licensed in the State of Tennessee no later than August 1 of the residency year or by September 15 on retake.  Applications are to be submitted through Phorcas.  A limited number of on-site interviews are offered; all candidates are considered. Three references, with at least two from rotation preceptors, using Phorcas are required and must comment on the following ability to organize and manage time,  clinical problem solving skills, independence and resourcefulness, willingness to accept constructive criticism, and professionalism. Deadline for application is January 1. The program participates in the Phase II match.