Program Purpose & Structure

The PGY1 pharmacy residency program builds 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 board certification and eligible for postgraduate year two (PGY2) pharmacy residency training.

Our PGY1 Residency Program offers a blend of structure and flexibility to create a well-rounded, engaging clinical experience. After a 4-week orientation to the department, residents spend nine weeks on our uniquely designed Mega MedSurg experience where the resident will rotate through covering a medical floor, a surgical floor and rounding with our Family Medicine Residency team.

Following this, our residents complete seven, five-week long block experiences composed of three core (required) rotations and four resident-selected elective rotations. Residents also complete three required longitudinal experiences with activities designed to foster the growth of the resident.

All resident learning experiences, both rotational and longitudinal, are designed to align with the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists four required competency areas: (R1) Patient care, (R2) Practice Advancement, (R3) Leadership, and (R4) Teaching and Education.

Block Experiences

Required Learning Experiences:

  • Orientation: 4 weeks
  • Mega MedSurg: 9 weeks
  • Management and Leadership: 5 weeks
  • Critical Care (ICU or Cardiology): 5 weeks
  • Infectious Disease: 5 weeks

Elective Learning Experiences:

  • Oncology: 5 weeks
  • Cardiology: 5 weeks
  • Ambulatory Care: 5 weeks
  • Emergency Medicine: 5 weeks
  • Transitions of Care: 5 weeks
  • Pediatrics and Neonatal Medicine: 5 weeks
  • Medicine Safety/Introduction to Informatics: 5 weeks
  • Pilot Research: 5 weeks

Longitudinal Experiences (Required – 52 Weeks)

Staffing and Code Response:

  • Every 3rd weekend and one weekday shift every third week.
  • Respond to codes starting in 2nd quarter 

Medication Use, Service, Continual Improvement and Leadership:

  • Resident research or quality improvement capstone project (presented at Minnesota Residency Research Showcase)
  • Medication use evaluation (presented at ASHP Midyear)
  • Hospital committee involvement (Antimicrobial Stewardship, Pharmacy and Therapeutics or Medication Safety)
  • Present a medication monograph or medication class comparison
  • Participate in the Resident Emotional Support Team (REST) Committee
  • Participate and help coordinate (with the RPD) the annual residency retreat
  • Provide mentorship to IPPE or APPE students through our Student Mentorship Program

Education and Teaching:

  • Present one Minnesota Board of Pharmacy-approved pharmacist continuing education lecture
  • Present one case conference and precept one student case
  • Present at least one pharmacy in-service
  • Present one literature review with a statistical clinical pearl
  • Design and present one preceptor development session (during the resident retreat)
  • Develop and teach two pharmacology lectures to nursing students at St. Cloud State University
  • Present a residency clinical pearl with other local Central Minnesota pharmacy residents
  • Co-precept APPE and IPPE pharmacy students