UCHealth PGY1/2 Health-System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership Residency at University of Colorado Hospital

Program overview

The PGY1/2 Health-System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership (HSPAL) residency program at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital (UCH) is designed to develop clinically strong practitioners who choose to specialize in pharmacy administration and become leaders in healthcare.

The PGY1 year provides a strong practice foundation with an emphasis on clinical skill development. The PGY2 year provides a comprehensive experience in the management of pharmacy services in an academic medical center. These experiences include both operational and clinical management within inpatient and ambulatory pharmacy settings, human resources, leadership, automation and informatics, finance, 340B, regulatory compliance, supply chain, and medication safety and quality. In addition, residents will concurrently be enrolled in the Executive MBA in Health Administration program through the University of Colorado School of Business. The Executive MBA in Health Administration program provides an academic foundation to support and enhance the residency experience.

Graduates of our HSPAL program will be capable of assuming roles as clinical coordinators, team leaders, and pharmacy supervisors or managers in a variety of pharmacy practice and healthcare settings. HSPAL graduates will have the training and skillset to become executive pharmacy and healthcare leaders.

Purpose

Our postgraduate year one (PGY1) residency program at UCH builds upon Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) education and outcomes to develop pharmacist practitioners with knowledge, skills, and abilities as defined in the educational competency areas, goals, and objectives. Residents who successfully complete our PGY1 program will be skilled in diverse patient care, practice management, leadership, and education, and be prepared to provide patient care, seek board certification in pharmacotherapy, and pursue advanced education and training opportunities including postgraduate year two (PGY2) residencies.

Educational outcomes, goals, and objectives

The HSPAL program follows the ASHP Outcomes, Goals and Objectives required for HSPAL programs. While we use all the required Outcomes, Goals and Objectives, other elective outcomes may be addressed as part of the resident’s custom plan. The custom summary of the Outcomes, Goals and Objectives selected for the year are provided to each resident as part of the planning process for the year.

PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency

The PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program web page provides detailed information regarding the first year of the program. Required rotations include Internal Medicine I, Internal Medicine II, Critical Care, Ambulatory Care, Administration, and one of the following three options: Infectious Disease, Oncology, or Cardiology. Residents have one month of project time dedicated to their residency research projects. Residents may then choose four of our 22 electives to complete. Additional elective options may be available as well. In terms of longitudinal rotations, residents complete the following: Medication Use Evaluation, Formulary Management, and Transitions of Care. They also gain experience attending codes throughout the year. Additionally, residents will receive a teaching certificate at the conclusion of the PGY1 year.

PGY2 HSPAL Residency

Rotations are planned for each resident based on program requirements, resident’s interests, and resident’s previous experiences. A foundational set of experiences are required, while the remainder of the year is tailored to the resident’s immediate and long-term career goals. The below summarizes the rotation experiences. Elective rotations may include experiences in other areas or an extension of an already scheduled area. Residents will participate in the Vizient Poster Presentation Session, the ASHP Residency Showcase, and a regional residency conference.

Executive MBA in Health Administration

The Executive MBA in Health Administration program from the University of Colorado Denver brings in a diverse set of experienced professionals from all areas of health including pharmacists, physicians, dentists, and pharmaceutical sales. Considered a best of both MBA and MHA programs, this degree is ranked in the top 25 of all health care management programs and is the highest ranked program for health care executives looking for an MBA in the country. Details on the curriculum can be found here.

Teaching and education

Residents are expected to provide education to the pharmacy staff and other healthcare providers as assigned by individual preceptors. Additionally, each resident may be involved with teaching exercises at the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Residents may be required to assist in the precepting of PharmD students on clerkship. The resident may attend other seminars as scheduling permits. As part of this teaching obligation, residents will be given the title of Clinical Instructor, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

PGY2 institutional service

PGY2 residents staff every fourth weekend. Typically, residents work one minor holiday (Labor Day/Memorial Day) and one major holiday (Christmas/Thanksgiving/New Year’s). Outside of service obligations, residents may work flex hours for pay, allowing for additional operational and supervisory experience.

Pharmacy Residency stipends and benefits

Residents receive a stipend of $65,000 per year in addition to the following benefits:

• Paid time off (PTO), holiday, and sick time.
• Funding for professional meetings (PTO use not required).
• Full health, vision, and dental insurance benefits.
• Full access to the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus recreational, educational, and cultural facilities.

Application/Interviews

The program will accept all applications through the Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application Service (PhORCAS) and participate in the National Match.

The below are required as part of the application process. Residents must have a Doctor of Pharmacy (ACPE accredited) and have obtained licensure as a pharmacist in Colorado.

The application deadline is 1/2/2024. Please contact the residency program director, Mary Best, at [email protected] with any additional questions.

• Letter of intent
• Curriculum vitae
• Academic transcripts
• Three professional recommendations

Upcoming open house

An open house will be held on Monday, October 30 at 6 p.m. MST for applicants interested in our program. Please register for the open house here.

Interviews will be held on Monday, February 12, 2024.

Residency contact

Mary (Lacy) Best, PharmD, BCPS
Director, Pharmacy Operations
PGY1/2 HSPAL Residency Program Director
UCH Department of Pharmacy
12605 E. 16th Avenue
Aurora, CO 80045
720.848.4197
[email protected]

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