1

SurvivingtheResidencyApplicationProcess

AshleyShupp,PharmDPGY1PharmacyResident

ShandsJacksonville

KimLe,PharmDClinicalPharmacySpecialist,NeonatalICU

TexasChildren’sHospital

SapanaDesai,PharmDPGY1PharmacyResidentTheMethodistHospital

AngelaTong,PharmD

PGY1PharmacyResidentMichaelE.DeBakeyVeteransAffairsMedicalCenter

SagunaPatel,PharmDClinicalPharmacist

Children’sMedicalCenterinDallas

ToddCanada,PharmD,BCNSP,FASHPTheUniversityofTexasMDAndersonCancerCenter

DivisionofPharmacy,Box3771515HolcombeBoulevard

Houston,Texas77030‐4009Office:(713)745‐0685Fax:(713)794‐4399

Email:tcanada@mdanderson.org

2

The4thyearofpharmacyschoolcanbestressfulforstudentswhoareapplyingfora

postgraduateyear(PGY)1pharmacypracticeresidency.Navigatingthroughthemadnessof

theresidencyprocess,youmayfindyourselfsaying,“Wow,IwishIwouldhaveknownthat

beforeIwenttoMidyear”or“IsureamgladIknewthatbeforeinterviewing.”Thepurposeof

thisarticleistoprovideasummaryofhelpfulandimportanttidbitsofinformationthatwehave

collectedtohelp4thyearpharmacystudentsbecomebetterpreparedfortheentirePGY1

residencyprocess.Thisarticlewillcoverinformationyouneedtoknowyour3rdyearof

pharmacyschool,your4thyearbeforetheASHPMidyearClinicalMeeting,atMidyearincluding

thePersonnelPlacementService(PPS),andfollowingMidyear.

ThirdYearofPharmacySchool

WerecommendattendingtheASHPMidyearClinicalMeetingthe3rdyearofpharmacy

schoolifyouareseriouslyconsideringpostgraduatetraining.Ifyoudon’thavethemoney,

applyforastipendthroughyourschool’sSocietyofHealth‐SystemPharmacychapter.Evenas

a3rdyearpharmacystudent,thenetworkingyoucanexperiencehashelpedshapemanyfuture

careersinpharmacy.Itisimportanttoresearchprogramsyoumightbeinterestedinby

checkingthelistingsonlineintheASHPresidencydirectory

(www.ashp.org/import/accreditation/residencydirectory.aspx)orintheOctoberAmerican

JournalofHealth‐SystemPharmacy,aswellasaskthemquestionsattheASHPresidency

showcaseinperson.Attendasmuchasyoupossiblycan!Itisanoverwhelmingexperience,

butgoingyour3rdyearmeansyouwillbemuchlessoverwhelmedyour4thyearofpharmacy

school.Itoftenhelpsduringthistimetoaskwhatadviceresidencydirectors,preceptorsor

3

residentsmayhaveforyouasapharmacystudenttodoinschooltoincreaseyourchancesof

gettingacceptedintoafutureresidencyprogram.

FourthYearofPharmacySchool

BeforeMidyear

ThebeginningofSeptemberisagoodtimetostartpreparingforMidyearbyupdating

yourcurriculumvitae(CV)firstandunderstandingalltheacronyms(e.g.,PPS,PGY1,PGY2)you

willexperience.Youmaynotreallyknowwheretostart,buteveryonewillwantacopyofyour

CVsosharewhatyouhaveonyourCVwithyourrotationalpreceptors,professors,and

pharmacyemployers(includingaresidencydirectoratthesiteifpossible)togetuseful

feedbackonwhattoadditionallyincludeandhighlightforvisibility.Nextpreferablyinlate

SeptemberorearlyOctober,wesuggestexploringASHP’swebsitebygoingtowww.ashp.org,

then“Accreditation”,then“ResidentInformation”andyouwillfindthe“ResidencyChecklist”

(whichmoststudentswillfindhelpful)alongwithotherimportantinformation.Thisisalsoa

goodtimetodevelopyourown“ResidencyNotebook”toputalltheinformationinacentral

locationtoorganizealltheprogramsyoumaybeconsidering,muchlikebeinganactual

pharmacyresident.Youshouldthenstartreviewingprogramswithinyourgeographiclimits(if

applicable)fromtheASHPResidencyDirectorytodeterminetheonesyoumaybeinterestedin

obtainingmoreinformation(thanlistedontheirwebresidencydescription)priortoPPS

openinginmid‐October.OncePPSisopen,youcanofficiallysearchforprograms(andtheywill

searchforyoutoo)throughCareerPharm.Table1canassistyouindeterminingoratleast

narrowingyouroptionsfortheavailableprograms.Ifyouhavepharmacyresidentsatyour

rotationsites,askthemquestionssincetheyareanimportantresourcebecausetheyjustwent

4

throughthisprocess.Animportantconsiderationistoaskformoreinformationfromstudent

rotationsitesthatalsohaveresidencyprogramssincetheywillhaveagoodideaofhowyou

performedduringyourrotationattheirsiteandtakethisintoconsiderationwhenselecting

candidates.TwomajoritemsyouneedtoknowaboutbeforegoingtoMidyeararetheNational

MatchingServiceandPPS.Table2providesmoreinformationabouttheNationalMatching

ServiceandTable3focusesonPPS.

AsMidyearapproachesandyouwilllikelybegintofeelnervous,itwillhelpreliveyour

anxietybybeingwellprepared.Table4containsalistyouwillwanttocompletebefore

Midyear,anditemsyouwillwanttobringtoMidyeartofeellessoverwhelmed.Ifyouwant

moreinformation,thereareseveralhelpfularticlesthathavebeenpreviouslypublishedin

Table5tohelpyouprepare.

PriortoMidyearisthebesttimetoidentifywhomyouwouldasktowritealetterof

referenceorrecommendationforyou.Manyresidencyprogramsmayhavetheirownformsfor

theseindividualstocompleteforyouortheymayallowuseoftheASHPResidencyApplicant

RecommendationRequestForm

(http://www.ashp.org/s_ashp/docs/files/RTP_ResidentRecomendForm.pdf).Ideally,youwill

needonefromanemployer(orpreviousemployer),collegefacultyoradvisor,andpastor

currentpreceptorwhocananswerquestionsaboutyourknowledge,skillsandabilities,aswell

asstrengthsandweaknesses.Mostprogramswillrequestthreelettersofreferenceor

recommendationthataretypicallydueinlateDecemberorJanuarywithyourresidency

application,soyoumaywanttoaskforfour(oneadditional)letterstobesureyoudonotmiss

anydeadlinesifoneofyourlettersdoesnotmakeitintime.Youwillneedtoprovidethe

5

individualswhomyouhaverequestedtowritealetteronyourbehalfacopyofyourletterof

intentforeachprogramsotheywillunderstandyourmotivationforseekingtheresidency.You

shouldalsoaskforacopyofyourlettersofreferenceorrecommendationsothatyouknowall

theinformationthattheindividualswhowillbeinterviewingyouwillbereviewingaboutyou.

Additionally,thisisagoodtimetodeterminehowlongitwilltakeforyourgraduatingcollegeor

universitytoprovideatranscriptonyourbehalf,aswellasanycostsassociatedwithobtaining

anofficialtranscript.

AtMidyear

InDecember,itisfinallytimeforthemuch‐anticipatedMidyearmeeting.Theeventwill

takeplacefromSundaytoThursday,butmakesuretoscheduleyourflightinonSaturdayby

midafternoonastheASHPmeetingregistrationandPPSusuallycloseby5pm(savesyoutime

Sundaymorningnottodelayanyimportantinterviews).Yourflightoutcanbeasearlyas

Wednesdaymorning,sincethemajoreventatMidyearistheResidencyShowcase,which

occursonMondayafternoon(1‐4pm)andTuesday(8‐11amand1‐4pm).TheResidency

Showcaseisfreeforalltoattend,butisgenerallyverycrowdedwithallyourfellowpharmacy

studentcolleagueslookingforthebestprogramsforthem.ItisbesttoreviewtheResidency

ShowcasediagraminyourASHPregistrationmaterialstoidentifywhichprogramswillbe

participatingandwheretofindthemwiththeirspecificlocation(seeTable6).Ifyousignedup

andpaidforPPSbeforetheOctoberdeadline,Table7reviewstheprocessforhoweach

programisscheduledandtheinterviewprocess.Midyearisagreattimefornetworking,so

attendasmanynetworkingeventsthatyoucan,especiallyifyoualreadyknowwhatspecialty

areayoumaybeinterestedinpursuingasacareerpath.Itisalsoimportanttoaskspecific

6

programsiftheyhaveaneveningreception(morecommonwithuniversity‐basedresidencies)

soyoucanmeetothersyoumayworkwithduringyourresidency.Therearealsoplentyof

continuingeducationeventstoattendandnetworkwithothersattheMidyearClinical

Meeting.Lastly,havefun!

AfterMidyear

IfyouwerewellpreparedforMidyear,itmayormaynothaveseemedtoostressfuland

nowitistimetochoosewheretoapply!Theapplicationandinterviewprocesscanbetime‐

consuming,butdonotletthatkeepyoufromapplyingorinterviewingsomewhere.Itisbestto

developforyourselfatimelinewithafinalizedlistofplacesyouwillapplytobeforeChristmas

sincesomeprogramshaveapplicationdeadlinesasearlyasDecember31st.

Applications

Thereasonyouneedtofinalizeyourlistofwhereyouareapplyingsoquicklyismainly

becauseyouneedtogivethepeoplewritingyourlettersofreferenceorrecommendationtime

tosendtheminonyourbehalf,preferablybeforethedeadline.Severalfactorsmayassistyou

infinalizingyourresidencylist,suchasdevelopingachecklistofthequalitiesinaprogramthat

aremostimportanttoyou,andthencheckingtoseewhichprogramsyouchoosetointerview

withhavemostorallofthosequalities.Italsohelpstodiscussthiswithsomeoneyoutrust,

suchasapreceptor,collegeadvisororfacultymember.Mostofthetimehavingtoexplainyour

choicestoothershelpsitbecomeclearertoyouaswell.Italsohelpstotalkwithcurrent

residentsatyourcurrentorpreviousrotations.Table8providesmoredetailsaboutthe

applicationprocess.Keepinmindthatyouneedtobewillingtointerviewatalltheplacesyou

areapplyingto,andfinanceyourwaywithtravelandlodging.Someprogramsmayofferpartial

7

fundingoroffertoprovidehousingforresidencycandidatesifyouask.Ittakeseachprogram

timetoreviewalltheirapplications,soiftheyofferyouaninterviewyoushouldplantotravel

andknowmanyofthemmayberelativelyshortnoticeformakingeconomicallyfeasibletravel

plans.

Interviews

Everyinterviewisdifferent,yettheyallhavethesamebasicstructure;sobeprepared

tospendanentireweekdayonsiteandcheckinadvancewithyourcollegeoruniversity,aswell

asyourrotationsitetogetapprovalforthedatesofyourinterviews.Manyresidencyprograms

offerinterviewsonMondaysorFridaystoallowlowerairfares(ifneeded),whilesome

programshaveinterviewsduringtheweek(typicallylocalresidencycandidates).Yes,this

meansyouwillmissyourcurrentrotationandwillhavetomakeupthehoursatsomepoint

dependingonyourcollegeoruniversity.Thegeneralstructureofwhathappensatyour

interviewincludes(seeAppendixD):

OverviewofProgram:usuallytheprogramdirectororcoordinatorwillmeetwithyoufor

anhourandreviewthestructureoftheresidencyyear.Listencarefullytoaskrelevant

questionsandifthereissomethingthatdoesn’tmakesenseorsoundrighttoyou,ask

aboutitevenifitfeelslikeadumbquestion.Manyprogramsareflexibleandallowyougo

off‐siteforaspecificrotationtheymaynotbeabletooffer.Someprogramshaveeven

allowedresidentstodo2weeksinadifferentcountry!Ifyouareinterested,thisis

definitelyagoodtimetoaskaboutoff‐siterotationsthatarenotavailableattheprogram

site.

8

InterviewwithPreceptorsand/orOtherStaff:Thisiswhereyoureceivenumerous

questions,butitisalsoyourchancetoreallysharewiththeprogramhowgreata

candidateyouare!Somecandidatesprefertothinkofeveryanswertheygiveasastory,

andthenitbecomesstory‐tellingtimeratherthanapotentiallyintimidatingexperience.

ThecommonquestionsaskedarelistedinTable9;however,thisisbynomeansa

completelist.

Tour:Mostprogramsenlistoneoftheircurrentresidentstoprovideyouatourofthe

facility,andoftentheprogramdirectororcoordinatormayalsocontribute.Itisgenerally

preferabletowearappropriatecomfortableshoesonthedayofyourinterview.

Lunch:Usuallywiththecurrentresidentsandthebesttimetoaskthemquestionsabout

theprogram.Youwillwanttoaskthemquestionswhentheprogramcoordinatoror

directorisnotaround,sotheresidentswillbehonestwithyouabouttheissuestheydo

anddon’tlikeabouttheirprogram.

CasePresentationorDiscussion:Eachprogrammayaskyoutoprovideapresentationor

oraldiscussionand/orawrittencasewithSOAPnoteorsomeothervariation.Examples

areprovidedinTable10.

Wrap‐upandQuestions:Mostprogramsallowyouseveralopportunitiestoaskquestions

throughouttheday,soitisreasonableifyoudonothavequestionsattheendofyour

interviewday.AdditionalhelpfulhintsfortheinterviewareprovidedinTable11with

questionexamplesprovidedinTable12andAppendixA.

9

Table1

Howtochooseresidencyprogramsofinterest

WebsitestoReview:ASHPonlineresidencydirectory

(www.ashp.org/ResidencyDirectory),AmericanCollegeofClinicalPharmacy

(www.accp.com/resandfel),AmericanPharmacistsAssociation

(www.pharmacist.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Residencies_Advanced_Training)

Ifyouknoworareconsideringaspecificareaofpharmacypracticeyouwanttofocus

yourcareer,thensearchforprogramswiththatspecificfocus.Forexample,ifyouare

interestedinambulatorycare/primarycare,trylookingatdifferentVeteransAffairs

MedicalCenterprograms.

IfyouareplanningaPGY2residencyandknowthespecialtyareayouareprimarily

interestedinpursuing,thenreviewprogramsthatalsoofferyourspecificPGY2career

focusasaPGY1.

Ifyouareunsureorundecided,thenreviewprogramsprovidingabroadrangeof

rotationssoyoucangetthegreatestrangeofpossiblecareeroptionsandhopefully

determinewhatareamostinterestsyouprofessionally.

DoyourRESEARCH!Askaroundaboutprogramsbydiscussingwithcurrentresidents

youmaymeetduringrotationsorprofessionalmeetings.Specificallyaskabouttheir

experiencesandlistentowhattheyshareabouttheirprogramstoseeifitiswhat

qualitiesyoudesire.Asktheresidentswhathasoccurredthatwasexpectedand

unexpected.Askpreceptorsorfacultyforadviceandanywordsofwisdominmaking

finalselections.

10

FormulatealistofrequirementsyouMUSTHAVEinaresidency(e.g.,directpatient

care,speakingandwritingopportunities,administration,research).Thiswillhelp

narrowyourfinalsearch.Theminimumgoalistodevelopalistofprogramsyouare

trulyinterestedinfindingmoreinformationaboutbeforeMidyearcomes.

11

Table2

AboutTheMatchingProcess

www.natmatch.com/ashprmp/

o ThisisalsolinkedfromtheASHPwebsite

(www.ashp.org/Import/ACCREDITATION/ResidentInfo/SeekingaResidency.aspx).

Cost:$112

TheonlineregistrationdeadlineisinearlyJanuary–sodonotdelayinsigningup.You

willreceiveaninformationpacketinthemailshortlyaftertheirregistrationdeadline

passes.

Afteryouregister,writedownyourmatchingnumber(a5‐digitapplicantcode

number)andputitinyour“Residency”folder.Youwillneeditforyourletterofintent

forsomeprograms.

YouarerequiredtocompleteyourinterviewsbyearlyMarchsoyoucansubmityour

RankOrderListofprogramsyouwouldbewillingtoacceptanofferprovidedthey

selectyouaswell.

TheMatchingProcessresultsaregenerallyavailableinmid‐Marchtoseeifyou

matchedwithanyoftheprogramsyoulistedonyourRankOrderList.

12

Table3

AboutPersonnelPlacementService(CareerPharm)

Cost:$60

WheretofindPPS:ASHP’swebsite

AllowsyoutointerviewONLYduringMidyear;however,itdoesnottaketheplace

ofanon‐siteinterview.Ifyoudon’tsignup,youcannotparticipatein

interviewingatMidyear(onsiteregistrationisavailableatahigherprice).Youdo

notneedtosignupforPPSifyouareonlyplanningonattendingtheResidency

ShowcaseasaP3student.

PPSisrecommendedespeciallyifyouareinterestedinout‐of‐stateresidencies

andalsogivesyoupracticeinterviewingforyouron‐siteinterviews.

Someprograms,especiallyPGY1residencies,maynotallparticipateinPPS.Be

suretostopbytheirresidencyshowcaseboothifthisisthecaseonMondayor

Tuesday.Iftheprogramwillnotbeparticipatingintheresidencyshowcase,make

planstocontactthembeforeMidyear.

OnceyouhavesignedupforPPS,postyourCVassoonasyoucanin

CareerPharmsincesearchinggenerallystartsinmid‐October.Programswillthen

begintocontactyouforPPSinterviewsandyoucandothesame.Thisishighly

recommended,especiallysincePPSinterviewspotscanfillupevenbeforeyou

gettoMidyear.Ifyouarenotinterestedinaparticularprogram,besureto

respondprofessionallythatyouarelookingelsewhereifyouaresurethe

programisnotforyousotheyknowyourcareerintentions.

13

Hereisanexampleemailtosendtoprospectiveprogramsyouareinterestedin

interviewing:

DearDr.X,

Iamcurrentlya4thyearpharmacystudentatInsertUniversityName,andmyareaof

interestisinsertyourarea.IamveryinterestedinyourPGY1residencyprogramsince

yourhospitalhasinsertinstitutionspecificsofrelevance.IwillbeattendingtheASHP

Midyearmeetingininsertcity.IfyouareparticipatinginPPS,isitpossibleformetoset

upaninterviewwithyouaheadoftime?MyCVisattachedandIlookforwardto

hearingbackfromyou!

Regards,

Insertyourname

AfteryouregisterforPPS,writedownyourmailboxnumberandputitinyour

“Residency”folder.

IMPORTANTNOTE:Eachprogramhas3numbersyou’llneedtoknowatMidyear

iftheyareparticipatinginPPS:PPSmailboxnumber,PPSboothnumber(toknow

wheretogoforyourinterview),andresidencyshowcaseboothnumber(soyou

canfindthemonthedatetheyareparticipating).WritedownALLTHREEofthese

numbers!Iftheyaren’tparticipatinginPPS,theywillonlyhavearesidency

showcaseboothnumber.

FindingthePPSmailboxnumber:directlyfromCareerPharm

FindingthePPSboothnumber:obtainfromresidencydirector

Findingtheresidencyshowcaseboothnumberanddateoftheirshowcase

14

(MondayorTuesday):OctoberissueofAmJHealth‐SystPharm

15

Table4

PreparingforMidyear

Professionalbusinesssuit

15‐20copiesofyourCV(youmayneedlessormoredependingonhowmany

programsyouareinterestedin)

Businesscards(youcaneasilymakeyourown)

Your“Residency”folderandstudentportfolio

ScheduleofALLevents

Developyourownschedulethatincludeseventsyouarerequiredtoattend,

eventsyouwanttoattend,andstudentprogramming(allofthiscanbe

foundintheOctoberissueofAmJHealth‐SystPharmorintheprogramyou

receiveuponregistrationcheck‐inatMidyear).BesuretoincludeyourPPS

interviews,anycontinuingeducation(CE)events(youwillgetCEflyersinthe

mail),andmostimportantlytheboothsyouwanttovisitateachresidency

showcase.Besuretoincludetheresidencyboothnumberontheschedule,

alongwithallotherlocations.

Listofquestions

Compilealistofquestionstoaskatinterviews(orusetheoneprovided–see

AppendixA)andprintout15‐20copiesofit.Thisway,beforeeachinterview

orshowcasebooththatyouvisit,youcancirclequestionsyouwanttoask

abouteachprogram,orwritenewquestionsdown.Afteryouaskthe

question,youcansimplywritetheanswerbesideit.Besuretousea

16

differentsheetforeachprogram.Itisquickandeasy,anditcanmakeyour

Midyearexperiencesomuchlessstressful!

Thankyounotes

Youmaywanttoconsiderincludingasmallprofessionalpictureofyourself

sotheycanrememberyouinthenote.

Filingsystem

Asmall,flexible,inexpensivefilingfolderthathasmultipletabsinitisusually

preferred.Youcanlabelthetabswiththeprogramsyoualreadyknowyou

wanttovisit,andleaveafewopenforprogramsthatyoumightbecome

interestedinaftereachnetworkingopportunity.Eachprogramgivesyoua

lotofdifferentinformation,andyouwillbegladyoustayedorganizedwhen

itcomestimetogetapplicationscompletedontime.

Listofprogramsyouareinterestedin

Reviewasmuchinformationontheprogramsyouareinterestedin,

especiallyifyouareplanningtointerviewwiththematPPS.Writethe

informationdown,ortypeitout,andkeepitinyourfilingsystem.Itreflects

verypositivelyonyouduringPPSinterviewsifyoualreadyknowinformation

abouttheirprogram!

17

Table5

HelpfulArticlesforResidencyTraining

MancusoCE,PaloucekFP.Understandingandpreparingforpharmacypractice

residencyinterviews.AmJHealth‐SystPharm2004;61:1686‐9.

NelsonT.Selectingtherightresidencyprogram.AmJHealth‐SystPharm

2005;62:1138,1140.

PochopS.Pharmacypracticeresidencyprograms.AmJHealth‐SystPharm

2005;62:1562,1564.

SongA.SOAPnote:WhyIwanttocompleteapharmacypracticeresidency.AmJ

Health‐SystPharm2005;62:2041‐2.

FitKE,PadiyaraRS,RabiSM,BurkiewiczJS.Factorsinfluencingpursuitofresidency

training.AmJHealth‐SystPharm2005;62:2226,2235.

WeantKA.Onbeingapharmacyresident.AmJHealth‐SystPharm2006;63:1230‐1.

BurkiewiczJS,SincakCA.Onlinetoolforpharmacystudentsseekingresidency

positions.AmJHealth‐SystPharm2008;65:2091‐2.

DeCoskeMA,CavanaughT,ElliottS,GarrisL,GiannakosM,HeggAM,etal.Anew

practitioner’sguidetoasuccessfulinterview.AmJHealth‐SystPharm2008;65:2100‐3.

18

Table6

PreparingfortheMidyearResidencyShowcase

Bepreparedtobringyourlistofquestions(mentionedinTable4),asktospeak

withcurrentresidentsandtheresidencydirector,andwritedowntheanswers

theyprovide.Itcanbeahassle,andyoumighthavetotalkingroups,butgetin

there,getyourinformationandgetout.

Besuretovisitallthesitesyouareinterestedin.Ifyoucan’tgettheinformation

youneedrightthen,gettheircontactinformationandemailthemwithyour

additionalquestions.

Besuretotalktothecurrentorformerresidents.Nooneknowstheinsideofthe

residencyprogramliketheydo.

Ifpossible,talktotheresidencydirector.Youwillbespendingthenextyearwith

thatindividualsomakesureyoucangetalongwellwithhim/her.

19

Table7

PersonnelPlacementServiceHelpfulHints

Themailboxsystemcanbeoverwhelming,butit’sactuallyverysimplein

CareerPharm.Youhaveamailboxtouseincommunicatingwithresidency

programs.TheywillexpresstheirinterestinyoubyinvitingyouforaPPS

interviewthroughyourmailbox(i.e.,youwillreceiveanemailmessagefromthe

emailaddressyoulinkedtoyourmailbox)andtheyhaveamailboxthatyoucan

replytoaswell.Besuretoreplyifyouareinterestedornottoletthemknowyour

careerintentions.

Theinterviewsusuallylastaround20to30minutes.Theygenerallyaskyou

questionsregardingwhyyouwanttodoaresidency,whatyourinterestsare,why

thatspecificlocation,etc.Bepreparedtoanswerthesequestionsconciselyas

yourtimeislimited.ItishelpfultobringextracopiesofyourCVeveniftheyhave

askedyoutoemailthemone.Sometimes,thereare2to3peopleinterviewing

youandeachpersonwantsacopyofyourCV.

WearaprofessionalbusinesssuitwithappropriatecomfortableshoestoyourPPS

interviewandbeontime.

IthelpstoknowthedifferencesbetweenafellowshipandaPGY1orPGY2

residencywhenyouareinterviewingassomeprogramsmayofferallthree.

Trynottoschedulemorethan6‐8interviews,asitcanbeverystressfuland

mentally/physicallydraining.Alwaysremembertoapproacheachinterviewwitha

positiveattitudeanddisplaythatconsistentlythroughoutyourinterview.Theyare

20

interviewinganumberofpeoplethatday,andyouwanttomakesureyouleavea

positivelastingimpressionbyshowinghowpassionateyouareaboutwhatyou

wanttodo.

Bringyourlistofquestions(mentionedinTable4),askquestionsnotalready

answered,andwritedowntheanswersastheyarespeaking.Thiswillbegood

practiceforaskingquestionsatyouron‐siteinterviews.

Plantoprovideeachprogramyouinterviewwithathankyounotesincepharmacy

isasmallworldandmanyprogramsinterviewthesamecandidates.Italsohelps

topersonalizeitbyincludingstatementsyouortheinterviewersmadeduringthe

interviewandwhatattractsyoutotheirprogram.

21

Table8

CompletingApplicationPackets

Letterofintent

Example:seeAppendixB

LettersofRecommendation

Askearly–preferablyinOctober

Provideeachpersonwith:

o Anenvelopewithalistofprogramsyourequestaletterof

referenceorrecommendationonyourbehalfExample:see

AppendixC

o Pre‐stamped,pre‐addressedenvelopes(double‐checkyour

addresses)foreachprogram

o Anyformsrequiredbytheprogram

Followupwitheachpersonbysendingoutareminderemail3to5

businessdaysbeforeyouwanttheletterstobemailedoremailed(or

both).Manypeopleprovidingyourreferenceorrecommendationletters

maysendthemviaemailwithahardcopyinthemailtomakeittothe

specificprogrambytheirrespectiveduedate.

CV

Haveitreviewedbyyourpreceptors,collegefacultyand/oraresidency

programdirectorifpossible

Transcripts

22

Remembermanyschoolsareclosedfortheholidays,sosendrequestsin

earlytopreventdelaysincompletingyourapplicationpacket

23

Table9

CommonInterviewQuestionsforResidencyCandidates

Describeyourstrengthsandweaknesses.

Whatdoyouthinkisthebiggestchallengefacingthepharmacyprofession?

Wouldyoucharacterizeyourselfasaleaderorafollower?

Howdoyouhandlestressandwhatdoyouliketodoforfun?

Whydoyouwanttodoaresidency?

Whyareyouinterestedinourprogram?

Howdidyoubecomeinterestedin(areaofinterest)?

Whatdoyouexpecttogainuponcompletionofthisresidencyprogram?

Describethedifferenttypesofpreceptorsyouhaveexperienced,includingthe

prosandconsofeachincludingwhichyouprefer.

Wheredoyouseeyourselfprofessionallyin5and10years?

Describeatimewhereyouprovidedarecommendationthatwasmetwith

resistancefromtheprescriberandexplainhowyouhandledit.

Whatisthemostsignificantclinicalinterventionyouhavemade?

Howareyourtimemanagementskills?

Whatdoyoudowhenyourpreceptorgivesyou3articlestoreadtonight,youhave

apresentationtomorrowandatopicdiscussion,whileMidyearisin2daysand

youhaven’tpackedorfinishedyourposter?

Thiscouldbeanactualquestionastheyaretryingtogetafeelforhowyou

handlestressandmanageyourtime.

24

Describeatimewhereyouhavegoneaboveandbeyondwhatwasexpectedof

you.Whydidyoudothisandwhatwastheoutcome?

Tellmeaboutaprojectthatyousuccessfullycompletedandoneinwhichyou

werenotsuccessful.Whatdidyoulearnfromeachone?

Wehaveanexcellentpoolofcandidatesthisyear.Whyshouldwepickyouover

theothers?

Whatisyourbiggestaccomplishment(canbeoutsidetheprofessionof

pharmacy)?

25

Table10

Knowledge,SkillsandAbilitiesAssessmentsforResidencyCandidates

CaseDiscussion‐Duringinterviewsessions,ashortcasemaybeprovidedtoyou

withabout5minutestoreviewit.Thequestionstheinterviewersweregoingto

askwerelistedatthebottomofthecasesothecandidatehastimetothink

throughtheiranswersandmakerelevantnotes.Generally,yourverbalanswers

areevaluatedandanynotesyoumadeareforyourreferenceonly.The

interviewersgenerallyattempttoprovidearelaxedenvironmentbytellingthe

candidatenottobenervousanddotheirbest.

WrittenCase–Youmaybeprovidedacomputerwith30minutestoworkupan

anticoagulationcaseandwriteapharmacyconsultSOAPnote.Generally,the

informationforthecasewillbeprovidedonthecomputersothecandidatecan

cutandpastelabs,diagnostictesting,vitalsignsandanyotherpertinentdatafor

yourSOAPnote.

CasePresentation–Candidatearegenerallyrequiredtodoa30minute

presentationoveratopicoftheirchoice.Itisbesttochooseapresentationthat

youhavedonebeforetootherpreceptorsandreceivedpositivefeedbackonyour

performance.Besuretopracticethedaybeforeyourinterviewandanticipate

commonquestionsafterthepresentation,whilemostpreceptorswillaskseveral

practicalquestions,sobeprepared!

CasePresentationandDiscussion–Thecandidatemayberequiredtodoashort

informalpresentationafterbeingprovidedachoiceofseveraldifferentdisease

26

statetopics.Ifyouhavenotpreviouslydoneapresentationoveranyofthetopics

listed,itisbesttochoosethetopicyouaremostinterested.Yourpresentationwill

likelybetimedwithaspecifictimelimit(e.g.,10minutes).Anticipate10to15

preceptorsorattendeesforyourpresentationandexpectthemtostayforthe

casediscussionfollowingyourpresentation.Thiscanbeanintimidating

experience,butgenerallyanytimetheinterviewersseeyoustrugglingwitha

question,theymayaskanotherquestiontoguideyouintherightdirection.

WrittenCaseandDiscussion–Candidatesareprovidedaclinicalcase,several

referencebooks,andaprogressnotetoconstructaproblemlist(inorderof

highesttolowestpriority),therapeuticgoal(s),plan(s)fortreatment,and

monitoringforeachproblemidentified.Candidatesarethenexpectedtoworkup

thecase,writeouttheirassessmentandplan(includingdose,route,frequency,

andduration),andbepreparedtopresenta2minutesummaryofthecase.

Generally,youwillhavelessthan20minutestocompleteallofthiswork.

Followingyourpresentationofthecase,theremaybeanother10minutesof

questioningfrompreceptorsandcurrentresidentsfromtheprogram.

WrittenCaseInAdvance–Theresidencyprogramsendstheircasetoyouone

weekinadvanceofyourinterviewdate.Youarerequestedtoworkupthecase

andsendthemyouranswersthreedaysbeforeyourinterviewdate.Generally,you

donothavetopresentthecase,onlybepreparedtoanswerquestionsaboutit.

Quiz–Thecandidateisprovidedaquizovergeneralambulatorycarequestionsor

otherdiseasestatetopicareasthatmaybethemainfocusofthespecific

27

residencyprogram.Ifyouwillbereceivingaquizduringyourinterview,spend

sometimereviewingthecommondiseaseareasthattheresidencyprogram

specificallyaddresses.

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Table11

HelpfulHintsforOnsiteInterviewing

Alwayshavequestionsprepared!Itmayseemasifinterviewersaskyou“Doyou

haveanyquestionsforus?”every5minutes.Generally,youdonothavetohavea

questioneverytimetheyask,butifyoudonothaveANYquestions,youmayleave

theprograminterviewerswithasensethatyouwerenotinterestedorprepared

adequatelyfortheinterview.

Doyourresearchpriortoanyinterviewtoknowwhatisuniqueforeachprogram

andthereason(s)youarechoosingthem.

Scheduleyourinitialtopchoiceprograminterviewthelastifpossible(usuallylate

February),asthisprovidesyoupracticeinterviewingandwhattoexpect.

Keepanopenmind–youmaybethinking,“remaincalmasthisisonlyan

interview,Iamnotobligatedtorankthisprogramatthecurrenttime”,whileyou

mayenduprankingthemfirstonceyougetonsiteandmeettheirstaff.Yourtop

choiceinitially(beforecompletingallofyourinterviews)mayendupbeingranked

lastafteryouconsideralloftheelementsofwhatyouarelookingforina

residencyprogram.

Stayontime–especiallyifyouarerequestedtoprovideapresentation(orother

timedactivity)andmaybeunsureofyourtimelimit.Someprogramsmaybe

flexibleinthisregardandevenallowalongertimeperiodifyouaredoingwell;

however,youmaybestoppedatyourtimelimitsoknowwhatkeypointsyou

definitelyneedtocoverinyouractivity.

29

Makeareflectionlist–aftereachinterview,besuretowriteoutalistofthe

positivesandnegativesforeachprogram.Documentwhatyouexperienced,how

theymadeyoufeel,whatwasthelearningatmosphere,whattheirresident(s)

likedanddisliked,etc.Ifyouscheduleseveralinterviews,youmayfindithelpfulto

keepa“runningrankorderlist”.Youwillbegladyoudidwhenitcomestimeto

rankingtheprograms!

Requestatourofthecity–someplacesmayeventakeyououttolunchordinner

ifyouask.Iftheyinviteyoutolunchordinner,plantoattendsincethisisan

appropriatetimetointeractwiththemsocially.

Askforsupport–someprogramsprovidehousingorcoverhotelcostsassociated

withyourinterview.

30

Table12

ValuableQuestionsforYoutoAskDuringOnsiteInterviews

Whatspecificskills,knowledgeorabilitiesareyoulookingforinaresidency

candidate?

Whatcorerotationsarethere(includingthetimingofthemintheschedule)andis

theprogramflexibleintailoringrotationstomeettheresidents’needspriorto

MidyearifthereisanareaofinterestforafuturePGY2residency?

Whattypeofmentoringcantheresidentexpectfromtheresidencyprogram

director,individualpreceptorsand/orotherpharmacystaff?

Howmanypreceptors(onsiteandoffsite)doesyourprogramhaveandhowlong

havetheybeenassociatedwiththeprogram?

Howarepreceptorsselectedforyourprogramandwhattypeofpreceptor

developmentdoesyourprogramofferthemandtheresident(s)?

Arepreceptorsencouragedorrequiredtoobtainboardcertificationintheir

respectiveareasfortheprogram?

Areyourresidentsencouragedtopursueboardcertification?

Whatstructuredoestheprogramoffertokeepresidentsontrackwiththeirmajor

and/orminorproject(s)?

Haveyoueverhadaresidentnotcompleteyourprogram?

Ifyoualreadyhaveaninterestinagivenspecialtyarea,askquestionsaboutthat

specialtyiftheyarerelevanttothesiteorprogram.Askifyoucouldgooffsiteif

theprogramdoesnotprovidearotationonsitewithinyourchosenspecialtyarea.

31

Wheredotheresidentslivethisyear?Howfaristhecommute?Istheretraffic?Is

thereparking?WheredoyousuggestIlivenextyear?Whatisthecostoflivingin

thoseareasyousuggest?

Doyoufeelthatyourprogramisagoodfitforme?(Thisisusuallyaskedtoward

theendoftheinterview,aftertheyhavehadachancetogettoknowyoubetter.)

Astheresidencyprogramdirector,whataspectsoftheresidencywouldyoualter

andwhy?

FortheResidents:

Whatisatypicaldaylikeforyou?

Wouldyoudoitalloveragain?

Whatoriginallyattractedyoutothisprogram?

Areyousatisfiedwithyourchoiceofthisprogram?

Whatdoyoulikebestabouttheprogram?

Whatwereyourmostandleastfavoriterotationsduringtheresidencyand

why?

Doyoureceiveusefulfeedbackfromeachpreceptoronareasfor

improvementand/orareasyoumayhavemastered?

Howmuchoversightdoestheprogramdirectorandpreceptorshaveinthe

residency?

Whatareyougoingtodonextyearandwouldyouconsiderstayingonas

staffhereafteryourresidency?

Whatwouldyoudodifferentlywiththeprogramifyouweretheresidency

32

director?

33

AppendixA

QuestionList

QuestionstoaskeveryResidencyProgram

1. Whatwouldyouchangeaboutyourprogram?

2. Whatdidyourresidentsdoafterfinishingtheirresidency?

3. Howmanyresidencypositionsdoesyourprogramoffer?

4. WhatPGY2programsareorplantobeavailableinthenextyearatyourfacility?

QuestionsforInterviewers/ResidencyDirector

Application:

1. Howbigofafactorisgradepointaverage,letterofintent,lettersofreferenceor

recommendationandpresentations?

2. Whatqualitiesdoyoulookforinaresident’sapplicationspecifically?

Residency,General

1. Howmanyelectivesareonsiteorpossiblyoffsite?

2. Whatarethestrengthsandweaknessesofthisprogramandhowdoyouevaluate

them?

3. Howoftenisstaffingrequired?Whatkindofstaffingisexpected(e.g.,distributive,

clinical,administrative)?Isthereanoncallcomponenttostaffing?

4. Whatlongitudinalcomponentsdoestheresidencyprovide?

5. Whatprofessionaltrainingdoyouprovide?(e.g.,sterile/aseptictechnique,

immunizations,basiclifesupport,pediatricadvancedlifesupport,advancedtraumalife

support,advancedcardiaclifesupport)

34

6. Doyoupayforanyprofessionalmembershipsorprovideresources?

7. Doresidentshaveholidaybreaksoraretheyexpectedtoworkonaregular“holiday

schedule”?

8. Whatistheresidentcallscheduleandwhatresponsibilitiesdoesitencompass?What

trainingdoyouprovide?

9. Whatarethecurrentpharmacydepartmentandresidencyprogramgoals?

10. WhatcanIexpectintermsofautonomyordirectsupervisionduringtheresidency?

11. HowmuchcontactshouldIexpecttohavewithmypreceptorandresidencydirector?

12. Doresidentshavearegularoffice/deskspacetoperformtheirwork?

13. Howwilltheresidentsbeevaluatedandhowoften?

14. (Ifnotaccredited)Whenwilltheprogrambeaccredited?Howcomeitisnotaccredited?

Howisthisgoingtoaffectmyexperience?

Preceptors

1. Whatdoyouexpectfromyourresidents?

2. Howdoyouthinktheresidentsaredoingthisyear?

3. Howdoyouincorporatedirectinstruction,modeling,coachingandfacilitatingintoyour

rotationforeachresident?

Projects

1. Whatminorandmajorprojectsdoyourequire?

2. Howdoesaresidentchoosetheirmajorresearchproject?

3. Haveanyofyourresidents’projectsbeenacceptedforpublication?

35

4. Whatcurrentresearchprojectsareotherpharmacistsorresidentsatthisinstitution

workingon?

Changes

1. Willyoubemakinganychangestotheprogramasaresultofthecurrentresidents’

feedback?

2. Whatdoyouthinkcanbeimproved?

3. Whatchangeshaveoccurredintheprograminthelast2to5years?

4. Whenisyourcurrentornextaccreditationvisitandarethereanyplansforchanges?

Institution

1. Pleasedescribeyourclinicalprogram(inpatientandoutpatientifapplicable).

2. Doanyofyourpharmacistshavemedicationtherapymanagementprivileges?

3. Howmanypharmacistsandtechniciansareemployedinthepharmacydepartment?

4. Doyouhaveaccesstoamedicallibrary?

5. Whathardcopyandonlineresourcesareofferedonsite?

6. Doyouhaveaformularyandwhatimpactdoespharmacyhaveinmanagingit?

7. Howmuchimpactdoyouhaveondrugtherapydecisions?

8. Whatarethemostcommonquestionspharmacistsreceivefromotherhealthcare

professionals?

QuestionsforResidents

1. Whatdoyoulikeaboutthisinstitution?

2. Whatdoyounotlikeaboutworkinghere?

3. Howdoesitfeeltobearesidentinthislargeorsmallofaprogram?

36

4. Howandwhydidyouchoosethisprogram?

5. Whatisthemostchallengingaspectoftheprogram?

6. Howmanyinformalandformalpresentationshaveyougiventothe

medical/nursing/pharmacystaff?Whatotheropportunitiesforpresentationsare

available?

7. Didyoureceiveanypreceptortrainingduringtheresidencyanddoyougettoprecept

studentsindependently?

Otherquestions

1. Whatteaching/preceptingopportunities(includingmedical,nursingorpharmacy)do

youprovideandhowfrequently?

2. Doyouhireyourresidentsuponprogramcompletion?

3. Whatareyourpreviousresidentsdoingnow?

4. WhatspecificlearningexperienceswillIbereceiving?

5. Whatisyourstructureforprovidingresearchtraining?

6. Whatarethebenefitsofbeingaresidentatyourinstitution?

7. Howandwhydidyouchoosethispharmacyspecialty?

8. Ifyouhadtodoitalloveragain,wouldyouchoosethisareaofpharmacy?Why?

37

AppendixB

SampleLetterofIntent

December15,20??

John/JaneDoe,insertcredentials

ResidencyProgramDirector

Insertaddress

DearDr./Mr./Ms.Doe,

IamveryinterestedinpursuingapositionasaPGY1pharmacypracticeresidentat

insertfacilityorinstitution.Yourinstitution’sreputationasoneofthefinest(e.g.,teaching)

hospitalsinthenationmakeitanidealsiteformypostgraduatetraining.Iamalsoexcited

abouttheexceptionallearningopportunitiesyourfacilitycanprovideespeciallyinthespecialty

areaofinsertifapplicable.

Evenbeforebeingacceptedintopharmacyschool,oneofmycareergoalshasbeento

obtainapositionasapharmacyresidentinordertoeventuallypursueapositionasa

competentclinicalpharmacist.GiventhetimeformyPGY1pharmacypracticeresidencyhas

finallycome,Iameagertogainabroadoverviewoftheclinicalopportunitiesinthefieldof

pharmacy.IalsohopetorefinemyverbalandwrittencommunicationskillssothatImaybetter

provideconsultativedruginformationservicestohealthcareprofessionalsandpatients.

UponcompletionofmyPGY1pharmacypracticeresidency,IplantopursueaPGY2

specialtyresidencyininsertifapplicablewiththehopeofonedayobtainingapositionasa

38

insertspecialtyareaclinicalpharmacyspecialist.Asaclinicalpharmacyspecialist,Iplanto

providetailoredandcompassionatepharmaceuticalcareanddruginformationintheinsert

specialtyarea.Ibelievethatlearningisalife‐longprocessanditprovidesarationaleforwhyI

wishtoobtainapositionthatwouldalsoallowmetheopportunitytoteachothers.

ThestudentrotationsIhavecompletedthusfar,alongwiththerotationsthatIwillsoon

completewillcontinuetohelpmedeveloptheclinicalandcommunicationskillsnecessaryto

fulfillthedemandsofaPGY1pharmacypracticeresidencysuchasyours.Ihavegained

experienceindevelopingandimplementingpharmaceuticalcareplanswhilemonitoring

patientprogress.Onmultipleoccasions,Ihavepresentedbothverbalandwrittendrug

informationtopatientsandhealthcareproviders,aswellasassistedinformularymanagement

throughdrugrestrictions.Inadditiontomyrotationexperiences,Ihaveworkedasapharmacy

studentinternatainserttypepharmacywhilepursuingmyPharm.D.degree.Iwasalsoan

activememberofseveralprofessionalpharmacyorganizationsthathavehelpedmedevelop

myleadershipskills,includinginsertifapplicable.Ibelievealloftheseexperienceshavehelped

preparemeforachallengingresidencyposition.

IlookforwardtointerviewingforthePGY1pharmacypracticeresidencyofferedat

insertinstitution/university/facility.Thankyouforyourtimeandconsideration.

Sincerely,

InsertName

ASHPmatching#insertnumber

39

Phone:

Email:

40

AppendixC

LettersofReferenceorRecommendationRequestedforListedProgramsofInterest

1) Insertinstitution/university/facility

a. Contact:insertnameandcredentialsofresidencydirectorordesignee

b. Address:insert

c. Phone:insert

d. Fax:insert

e. E‐mail:insertforaboveindividual

f. ApplicationDeadline:insertdate(Pleasepost‐markletterbyinsertdate)

g. Includeanyformsspecificallyrequiredfromtheprogramifapplicable

h. Pleaseemailmeacopyofyourlettertoinsertyouremailaddressbyabove

applicationdeadlinedate.

41

AppendixD

PossibleResidencyInterviewSchedules

Example1

9‐9:30am Meetwithprogramdirector

9:30‐10am Tourwithresident

10‐11am Casediscussionwithpreceptors(Youwillpickonecasetoworkupand

presentthiscasetothepreceptors)

11am‐12pm Attendinpatientroundswitharesidencypreceptor

12‐1pm Lunchwiththeresidents

1‐2:30pm Groupinterviewwithpreceptors

2:30‐3:00pm Wrap‐upwithprogramdirector

5:30pm Dinneratarestaurantwithresidents/preceptors/otherinterview

candidates

Example2

9‐9:30am WelcomeandReviewofApplicationMaterials

9:30‐10am InterviewwithProgramDirector

10‐11am InterviewSession–Group#1ofPreceptorsandstaff(3‐6)

11am‐12:30pm CandidatePresentationwithQuestion&AnswerSession

12:30‐1:30pm LunchwithResidentsandotherResidencyApplicants

1:30‐2:30pm TouroffacilitywithCurrentPharmacyResident(s)

2:30‐3pm BreakandChatwithPreceptors

3‐4pm InterviewSession–Group#2ofPreceptorsandstaff(3‐6)

42

4‐4:30pm Wrap‐UpDiscussionwithProgramDirector

Example3(Multisiteprogram)

8:30‐9am InterviewwithResidencyProgramDirector

9‐9:30am TourofFacility#1

9:30‐10am RoundingwithPreceptoratFacility#1

10‐11am InterviewPanelwithDirectorofPharmacy,OperationsManager&

ClinicalStaffatFacility#1

11‐11:30am PresentationtopharmacystaffatFacility#1

11:30am‐12:30pm LunchwithResident(s)

12:30‐1pm TraveltoFacility#2

1‐1:30pm InterviewwithResidencyCoordinatoratFacility#2

1:30‐2pm TourofFacility#2

2‐3pm InterviewPanelwithPreceptorsatFacility#2

3‐3:30pm PresentationtoPharmacyPreceptorsandStaffatFacility#2

3:30‐4:00 Follow‐upwithResidencyProgramDirector&Coordinator

Example4

8‐8:30am WelcomeandProgramOverviewwithResidencyDirector

8:30‐9:15am InterviewwithPharmacyAdministrativeDirector

9:15‐10am CaseEvaluation(TimeforResidenttoPrepareforPresentation)

10‐11am Interviewwith3‐6PreceptorsGroup#1

11:15am‐12pm CandidatePresentationtoPharmacyPreceptorsandStaff

12‐1pm LunchwithResident(s)

43

1‐2pm Interviewwith3‐6PreceptorsGroup#2

2‐3pm TourofFacility

3‐4pm InterviewwithResident(s)inResident’sOffice

4‐4:30pm Wrap‐upwithResidencyDirector

Example5

10‐10:40am WelcomeandResidencyProgramOverviewwithResidencyProgram

Director

10:40‐11:40am TouroftheHospitalandIntroductionwithChiefPharmacyOfficer,

ChiefofMedicalStaff

11:40am‐12:20pm LunchwithResidents

12:20‐1pm InterviewsStations1‐5forCandidates(SeeBelow)

1‐1:40pm InterviewsStations1‐5forCandidates

1:40‐2pm Break

2‐2:40pm InterviewsStations1‐5forCandidates

2:40‐3:20pm InterviewsStations1‐5forCandidates

3:20‐4pm InterviewsStations1‐5forCandidates

4‐4:45pm Wrap‐upwithCurrentPharmacyResidents

4:45‐5pm Wrap‐upwithResidencyProgramDirector

Station1–InterviewwithPreceptors

Station2–InterviewwithResidencyProgramDirectorandResidencyProgramCoordinator

Station3–Interviewwithcurrentresidents

Station4–Programreview

44

Station5–Computeroverview