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 a NorthShore residency?
A: This year's application process will utilize Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application Service system (PhORCAS). Through the PhORCAS site, and as part of our application process, we require the following documents be submitted: CV/resume, Letter of Intent, 3 Letters of Recommendation, and professional school academic transcripts. PhORCAS application portal: http://www.ashp.org/phorcas
The application deadline is January 5. You must also register for the ASHP Residency Matching Program.
Q: What are the different types of residencies offered at NorthShore?
A: There is a PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency, PGY1 Community-Based Pharmacy Residency, PGY2 Oncology Residency, PGY2 Administration Residency, and PGY2 Informatics Residency.
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: How do I schedule a site visit and interview?
A: Once you have submitted the required application paperwork, you will be contacted by the residency program director to schedule an interview. Interviews are conducted starting the middle of January through the beginning of March.
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 physically see the work settings.
Interviews for the pharmacy residency program are also NOT conducted at the Midyear Clinical Meeting because it would detract from other educational opportunities.
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 students or those who have had a rotation at NorthShore?
A: We require that our residents be eligible for licensure or already licensed in the state of Illinois. No preference is given to candidates based on prior rotations, ethnic background, religion, pharmacy school, state of birth or any other demographic data.
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 have demonstrated commitment and ambition in their previous positions. We also consider work experience, career goals, and communication skills as important factors in our selection process.
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Program Responsibilities
Q: How would you describe the residency program?
A: The PGY1 Community-Based Pharmacy Residency Program at NorthShore offers a comprehensive residency program with interprofessional, patient-centered, management, and leadership exposure. The program provides opportunities to transform accumulated experiences and knowledge into improved patient outcomes. The program’s purpose is to develop a resident’s ability to design, implement and provide advanced, high-quality patient care services and patient education in a community pharmacy setting while developing leadership and teaching skills.
Q: For what are you training the resident?
A: The PGY1 Community-Based Pharmacy Residency Program trains the resident to be able to design and implement patient care services in a community pharmacy setting. In addition, the resident should be able to conceptualize, integrate, and transform accumulated experiences and knowledge into improved patient outcomes. The resident will also have many ambulatory opportunities at NorthShore.
Q: Is it necessary to have community pharmacy experience in order to complete a PGY1 Community-Based Pharmacy Residency Program?
A: Previous work or clerkship experience in a community pharmacy is not required, but is desirable.
Q: What kind of patient care services does the resident do?
A: Patient care services will include health and wellness screenings for the following disease states: diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and others. The resident will also be responsible for immunizations and the medication therapy management program in its community pharmacies. Services include health seminars on topics that pertain to the particular patient population and medication review events for the elderly. The resident will also experience several ambulatory pharmacy sites including the Anticoagulation Clinic, General Medicine Clinic, Hepatitis C clinic, Comprehensive Care Center, Academia and Oncology Service.
Q: What rotations are available?
A: The resident will complete the following rotations: Community Wellness, Medication Safety, Oncology, Patient Centered-Dispensing, General Medicine, Pharmacy Management, Population Management, Heart Failure, Comprehensive Care Center, Anticoagulation, Drug Information, Pharmacy Administration and Integrative Medicine. The program accommodates the individual’s experience and specific areas of interest.
Q: How are rotations scheduled?
A: Each residency includes required and elective rotations. Each rotation is scheduled in conjunction with the preceptor based on availability. Scheduling is flexible and non-competitive.
Q: What is a "project"?
A: A project may include any of several different activities including writing a newsletter article, developing a clinical pathway, presenting at journal club, evaluating drug utilization, presenting at P&T, or drug information. A “major” project is required and must be presented at a Regional Pharmacy Residency Conference. The major project is guided by an advisor and generally takes 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. The resident will also present a MUE at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting.
Q: Is there project time scheduled?
A: Each resident is 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.
Q: What types of presentations are required?
A: The resident is required to present their MUE at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. Another project presentation will take place at a Regional Pharmacy Residency Conference. The resident is also responsible for one seminar which will be presented to the pharmacy staff. Other presentations may include, but are not limited to, journal club, case studies, and P&T reviews.
Q: How is resident performance evaluated?
A: Residents are evaluated by the preceptor during, and at the end of each rotation. A computerized evaluations system allows the resident to read comments prior to a discussion with the reviewer.
Q: What are the staffing/service requirements?
A: PGY1 Community-Based Pharmacy residents are required to staff one day per week and every other weekend in one of the NorthShore pharmacies. The residents are also required to staff 2-3 staffing weeks per year.
Q: How much interaction do the residents have with their preceptors?
A: Daily interaction occurs between residents and their preceptors although 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 will review and provide constructive feedback on projects. The program director and program coordinator will meet with the resident on a scheduled basis.
Q: Is the residency affiliated with any university, pharmacy school, or PharmD Program?
A: NorthShore is an academic health system affiliated with University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Medicine. Our resident does complete a drug information rotation through the UIC Drug Information Group. The pharmacy department precepts pharmacy students from a variety of different pharmacy schools.
Q: What teaching opportunities do the residents have?
A: Residents have the opportunity to mentor pharmacy students that are on rotation during pharmacy school. The hospital usually has 2 to 3 students on rotation at all times during the school year.
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Program Benefits
Q: Where will I work after completing my residency?
A: Completion of a pharmacy residency program opens the door to many different employment opportunities. We will work with our residents to help search for the opportunity that best suits their interests and skills.
Q: What opportunities are available at NorthShore?
A: NorthShore employs over 75 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, Tax-deferred Annuity, and more.
Q: What resources are available for residents to attend professional meetings?
A: The program pays for your attendance at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting, and a Regional Pharmacy Residency Conference, and one visit to another hospital/health systems.
Q: Do residents have a library and other resources available?
A: Residents are provided with a computer with access to e-mail, Intranet, Lexi-Comp (drug information), Ovid (electronic library), and an electronic medical record. In addition to the computer resources, NorthShore has a full-service library and provides lab coats, malpractice insurance, and pagers.
Q: Do residents have any workspace?
A: A special office space is allocated for use by the resident.
Q: Does the PGY1 Community-Based Pharmacy resident interact with the PGY1 Pharmacy Residents?
A: Although the programs are different, the residents do interact and may be asked to work on projects together. All residents meet together monthly for practice management discussions.
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