Application and Selection Process | Program Responsibilities| Program Benefits
Application and Selection Process
Program Responsibilities
Program Benefits
Application and Selection Process
Q: How do I apply for NorthShore residency?
A: The application process will utilize PhORCAS, or Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application Service (https://portal.phorcas.org/ ). Through the PhORCAS site, and as part of our application packet we require the following documents be submitted to all 4 of our hospital sites: CV, Letter of Intent, 3 Letters of Recommendation, and college of pharmacy transcripts.
Phase 1: The application deadline for the 2024-2025 residency year is January 5, 2024. You must also register for the ASHP Residency Matching Program via the National Match Service.
Phase 2: The application deadline for the 2024-2025 residency year is March 18, 2024. You must also register for the ASHP Residency Matching Program via the National Match Service.
Q: Since the NorthShore PGY1 pharmacy residency program has multiple sites, each with their own matching code, is the applicant applying to each site?
A: Yes, the applicant must apply to all 4 individual sites since each site has its own unique National Matching Service (NMS) code, however as all the sites are part of one residency (only one ASHP Residency number), the applicant will only have to pay for one residency application fee (the applicant can apply to all the sites associated with that residency program for one application fee).
Q: How many candidates apply to your residency program and how many do you accept each year?
A: The residency program has 10 resident positions for the 2023 – 2024 year across all four hospital sites. For 10 positions for the 2023-2024 year, we received over 120 applications in 2023.
Q: Do I have to go to the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting to apply to your program?
A: Attendance at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting is not a requirement of the application process. Instead, it is an opportunity to meet with representatives from our program, ask questions, and get a broader perspective of what we offer.
Q: Since I am attending the residency showcase at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting, is it necessary to have an on-site interview?
A: Yes, an on-site interview is required because:
- Not all preceptors that are involved in the interview and selection process attend the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting.
- It is important for candidates to have individual time with the selection panel, allowing all individuals equal opportunity to showcase their candidacy.
Q: If I do go to the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting, does that increase my chances of getting the residency?
A: Each application is reviewed against the same set of criteria. Attendance at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting is not part of those criteria.
Q: Do you prefer in-state candidates or those who have had a rotation at NorthShore?
A: We require that our candidates be eligible for licensure or already licensed in the state of Illinois as a Pharmacist. No preference is given to candidates based on prior rotations at NorthShore, ethnic background, religion, pharmacy school, geographic location or any other demographic data. All matched residents must have an active Illinois Pharmacy Technician license prior to the first day of residency.
Q: What are you looking for in a potential candidate?
A: The pharmacy residency program at NorthShore would like to hire pharmacists with high academic standing and favorable recommendations that demonstrate the applicants' commitment and ambition in their previous positions. We also consider work experience, career goals, and communication skills important factors in our selection process.
Q: How do I schedule a site visit and interview?
A: Once you have submitted the required application in PhORCAS, you may be contacted by the residency program director to schedule an interview. Interviews are conducted during the months of January and February. Not all applicants will be selected for an onsite interview.
Q: What is the interview day like?
A: For live interviews: The interview day consists of a half-day of interviews with residency faculty. Candidates will have the opportunity to meet the residency program director, managers, preceptors, residents, and pharmacy staff depending on individual availability. A short case review with preceptors is also required. Instructions related to the interview day are communicated when the interview is scheduled.
For virtual interviews to accommodate candidate equity and social distancing: Components will be similar to live interviews, however, live visits to the organization will be limited or excluded for the safety of all involved. Instructions for which platform will be utilized will be communicated directly to the interview candidate.
Q: When will the selection process for residencies occur?
A: The results of the Residency Matching Program are usually available at the end of March. Applicants will be sent a letter of agreement from the residency program director, which must be signed and returned as acknowledgment of acceptance.
Q: How is the distribution of residents to hospital sites determined?
A: Each hospital site has its own match code and they are entered in the match system individually. Applicants express their preference through ranking each hospital site as desired in the match system. While applying to all 4 hospitals in PhORCAS is required, ranking all 4 hospitals is not required. The Match will decide the location of the resident.
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Program Responsibilities
Q: What are you training the resident for?
A: The PGY1 Pharmacy Residency provides training in acute care clinical pharmacy and practice management.
Q: What is the start date for the PGY1 residents and how long is the program?
A: The 2024-2025 PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residents will begin their residency orientation on Monday, June 24, 2024, and will complete the year-long program on June 23, 2025. The resident must complete the entirety of the program and its components to receive a certificate of completion.
Q: How are rotations scheduled?
A: Each rotation is scheduled based on residents’ interests, hospital site, and preceptor/slot availability. Considerable effort is put into accommodating residents’ preferences despite the large number of residents through the completion of a pre-residency interest assessment. Residents will rotate hospitals for rotations.
Q: What is a "project"?
A: A project may include any of several different activities including writing a newsletter article, developing a clinical guideline or service, presenting a journal club, evaluating drug utilization, presenting at P&T committee, providing drug information, or presenting case studies. A “major” project and a medication utilization evaluation (MUE) are required. The MUE must be presented at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting in December while the major project must be presented at the regional Pharmacy Residency Conference in April-May. Both projects are guided by a project preceptor and generally take several months to complete. The major project must be completed and written in a format suitable for publication in order to receive a residency certificate.
Q: Is there project time scheduled?
A: Residents are given office time to work on their projects. The time allocation is flexible and appropriate for each project. It is up to the discretion of each preceptor as to when a resident has project time during each rotation. In addition, time is available for project work throughout the year.
Q: What types of presentations are required?
A: The major project presentation will take place at the regional Pharmacy Residency Conference and the MUE poster presentation will take place at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. Other presentations may include but are not limited to, journal club, case studies, in-services, P&T reviews, and community education.
Q: What are the staffing/service requirements?
A: PGY1 Pharmacy residents generally fulfill their weekend service commitment by staffing two shifts, every other weekend (either Friday evening, Saturday morning, Saturday evening, Sunday morning, or Sunday evening).
Each resident will also staff up to 20 staffing days throughout the year, generally grouped as weeks. Whenever possible, the resident will be scheduled to staff the team corresponding with the clinical rotations they have completed. Residents also staff at least 3 holidays as determined by the site manager.
Q: How much interaction do the residents have with their preceptors?
A: Daily interaction occurs between residents and their preceptors, and the department maintains an open-door policy that allows residents access to their preceptors at any time necessary.
Q: How much interaction do the residents have with the program director?
A: The program director oversees the residency program on a global scale, and will review and provide constructive feedback on research and other projects periodically. The program director meets with each site's residents and preceptors on a monthly basis for feedback, discussion of progress, and to answer any questions or concerns. The Pharmacy managers at each hospital site have more interaction with the residents, providing feedback on an almost daily basis. While the program director and Pharmacy managers are available to the residents if needed, most interactions occur between the resident and their preceptors.
Q: How are the residents evaluated?
A: Residents are evaluated by their preceptors during and at the end of each rotation and quarterly by the Residency Program Director and residents' advisors. A computerized evaluations system (PharmAcademic) is utilized to document evaluations and track longitudinal progress with residency objectives. The program utilizes required and select elective objectives from the ASHP PGY1 Competency Areas, Goals and Objectives to determine activities for the residency program.
Q: Is the residency affiliated with any university, medical or pharmacy school program?
A: NorthShore is a primary community teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. Although there are several pharmacy schools in the Chicagoland area, our program has no direct affiliation.
Q: What teaching opportunities do the residents have?
A: Residents have the opportunity to assist with pharmacy students who are on IPPE or APPE rotations from various colleges of pharmacy at NorthShore. Residents also complete a teaching certificate program through Rosalind Franklin University College of Pharmacy.
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Program Benefits
Q: What types of positions have past residents taken after completing the residency?
A: Completion of a PGY1 Pharmacy Residency program opens the door to many different employment opportunities. We work with our residents to help find the opportunity that best suits their interests and skills. Past residents have found positions that use their residency training to its fullest.
Q: What opportunities are available at NorthShore?
A: NorthShore employs over 100 pharmacists and managers in a variety of roles. Residents have access to employment opportunities before the search is taken to the public and can apply for an open position in the final month of their residency.
Q: What is the salary?
A: The salary is competitive and adjusted annually.
Q: What are the benefits?
A: Benefits include healthcare and tax-deferred annuity and more.
Q: What resources are available for residents to attend professional meetings?
A: Budgets for travel vary from year to year, and residents will be supported financially as best as possible depending upon the financial situation of the organization at the time. The resident should expect that some costs may be incurred out-of-pocket. Typically, reimbursement is provided (at least in part) for meeting registration, flight, and lodging in accordance with NorthShore policy.
Q: Do residents have a library and other resources available?
A: Residents are provided with a computer on-site and remote access to e-mail, Intranet, Lexi-Comp (drug information), Ovid (electronic library), and Epic (electronic patient records). In addition to the computer resources, NorthShore has a full-service library and provides lab coats, malpractice insurance, and wellness resources.
Q: Do residents have any workspace?
A: A specified office space is allocated for use by the residents at each site. Each resident has access to a computer, workspace, phone, and file drawers.
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