PGY2 Pharmacy Residency — Critical Care

The PGY2 Critical Care Pharmacy Program is designed to build on the skills and knowledge developed during postgraduate year one (PGY1) and to provide the resident the opportunity to gain expertise in the management of complex critically ill patients. The Medical Center at the University Campus is a Level 1 Trauma Center, Comprehensive Stroke Center, a Center of Excellence with gold-level ELSO designation for ECMO, and an American Burn Association verified Burn Treatment Center. Furthermore, there are four adult intensive care units within the hospital. As a regional referral center, UI Health Care cares for the most complex and highest acuity patients in Iowa and several surrounding states. This 52-week program provides the necessary opportunities and experiences for highly motivated pharmacists to achieve their professional goals of becoming a critical care pharmacist.

Upon completion of the program, residents will be qualified to pursue a clinical specialist or other pharmacist positions within critical care, which may include academia, research, or other advanced practice settings. Early commitment to the PGY2 Critical Care Residency may be an option for those completing a PGY1 Pharmacy Residency at UI Health Care.

About the program

The PGY2 Critical Care Pharmacy residency is a 52-week, ASHP-accredited program designed to build on the skills and knowledge developed during postgraduate year one (PGY1) and provide the resident opportunities to gain expertise in the management of complex critically ill patients. The resident will serve as an integral member of the interdisciplinary team caring for patients in the four core practice areas of Cardiovascular ICU, Emergency Medicine, Medical ICU, and Surgical & Neurosciences ICU. The resident will have the opportunity to tailor elective rotations to meet individual needs and interests. Upon completion of the program, the resident will be proficient in critical care pharmacotherapy, qualified to practice independently in a variety of healthcare settings and prepared for board certification.

Required learning experiences (total of 4 weeks for each rotation):

• Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit - Medicine (total of 4 weeks)
• Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit - Surgery (total of 4 weeks)
• Emergency Medicine (total of 4 weeks)
• Medical Intensive Care Unit I (total of 4 weeks)
• Medical Intensive Care Unit II (total of 4 weeks)
• Surgical & Neurosciences Intensive Care Unit I (total of 4 weeks)
• Surgical & Neurosciences Intensive Care Unit II (total of 4 weeks)

Elective learning experiences (2-4 weeks each; approximately 14 weeks total):

• Advanced Heart Failure
• Burn Intensive Care Unit
• Infectious Diseases
• Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
• Solid Organ Transplant
• Toxicology
• Trauma

Required longitudinal experiences:

• Code Blue Coverage (12 weeks spread throughout the residency year)
• Practice Management (52 weeks)
• Research (52 weeks)
• Service Commitment (approximately 11 months; see below)
• Teaching and Preceptorship (52 weeks)

Research project

The resident will be required to complete a yearlong research project during their PGY2 year. Through this experience the resident will gain experience in conducting research as well as presenting the project in poster and podium format. Selection of the project is based upon the resident’s interests. Residents will present their research project at a poster session during the Vizient™ meeting held in conjunction with the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear Clinical Meeting and as a platform presentation in the spring. The resident will provide a final manuscript write up prior to residency graduation.

Service commitment

Service commitment is designed to ensure the resident gains experience and can function as a competent, independent clinical practitioner. The resident may staff in the Burn ICU, Cardiovascular ICU, Medical ICU, and Surgical & Neurosciences ICU. The resident may be responsible for order verification for the Emergency Department on select weekend PM shifts. Service commitment begins after completion of orientation.

Requirements:

• Approximately 17 independent weekends on a rotating basis
• Approximately 20-25 weekday PM shifts
• One major and two minor holidays
• Staffing requirements are subject to change

Teaching and preceptorship

This residency offers multiple opportunities for providing education and involvement in academia. The resident is appointed as an adjunct instructor at the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy. Residents are required to complete the longitudinal Teaching and Preceptorship learning experience. Residents will develop their teaching and precepting skills through didactic lectures, an active learning session and serving as a preceptor for an Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) pharmacy student. Completion of the Pharmacy Educator Preparation Program (PEPPR; teaching certificate program) through the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy is optional. Residents who have not previously completed a teaching certificate program are encouraged to participate in PEPPR in addition to required longitudinal teaching and preceptorship learning experience activities.

How to apply

Candidates will need to complete an application through the Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application Service (PhORCAS).

Materials required

• PhORCAS Application Form
• Letter of intent
• Three letters of recommendation (at least one from a residency program director or coordinator)
• Official pharmacy college/school and university transcripts
• Curriculum Vitae

Application materials must be received by January 2. An interview is required and will be granted based on the review of application materials.

Applicants must register for the ASHP matching program handled by the National Matching Services Inc. Rankings must be submitted by the deadline.

• PGY2 Critical Care Residency NMS Match Code: 642752

Candidate Qualifications

• Graduate of an ACPE-accredited Doctor of Pharmacy degree program or have equivalent educational qualifications as determined by the residency director
• Licensed in Iowa by the residency start date. Please see the Iowa Board of Pharmacy website for complete qualifications.
• Completion of an ASHP-accredited PGY1 Pharmacy residency
• Adhere to the rules of the resident matching program process
• Candidates who require a Visa will not be considered. Pharmacy residency positions are not eligible for University sponsorship for employment authorization

Contact Us

Katy Rolfes, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP
Clinical Pharmacist
PGY2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residency Program Director
[email protected]

Jessica Whalen PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP
Clinical Pharmacist
PGY2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residency Program Coordinator
[email protected]