PGY-2 Critical Care Pharmacy

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Stephanie Lesslie, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCCCP
PGY-2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residency Program Director

Our critical care pharmacy residency is accredited by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP). Our specialized program consists of 12 months of advanced training and experience. The program allows sufficient flexibility to adapt to the interests and needs of the individual resident, yet provides the basic foundation for quality clinical practice in critical care. Upon completion of this comprehensive program, the resident will be prepared to enter a critical care clinical practice position or a fellowship program. Please note, completed applications are due January 5. Detailed information is provided below.

Purpose of the PGY-2 Program

PGY2 pharmacy residency programs build on Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) education and PGY1 pharmacy residency programs to contribute to the development of clinical pharmacists in specialized areas of practice. PGY2 residencies provide residents with opportunities to function independently as practitioners by conceptualizing and integrating accumulated experience and knowledge and incorporating both into the provision of patient care or other advanced practice settings. Residents who successfully complete an accredited PGY2 pharmacy residency are prepared for advanced patient care, academic, or other specialized positions, along with board certification, if available.

The postgraduate year 2 (PGY-2) critical care pharmacy residency program at Memorial Health University Medical Center develops accountability, practice patterns, habits, and expert knowledge, skills, attitudes, and abilities in the respective advanced area of pharmacy practice. It builds upon the broad-based competencies achieved in a PGY-1 residency, deepening the resident’s ability to provide care in very complex cases or in the support of care through practice leadership. The critical care pharmacy residency program also gives residents an opportunity to function independently as practitioners by conceptualizing and integrating accumulated evidence-based experience and knowledge and using those skills to provide improved medication therapy for patients.

Successful completion of the PGY-2 critical care pharmacy residency will prepare candidates for a critical care clinical practice position in a hospital-based environment or a combination of academia and practice affiliated with a college of pharmacy. Residents should also be prepared to earn board certification.

Program Goals and Objectives

Specific goals and objectives will be established based on the resident’s interests and previous experiences and the advisor's input. Goals and objectives of the program align with the ASHP standards of PGY-2 critical care programs. Customized plans are created and maintained for each resident and reviewed no less than quarterly in order to meet the goals and objectives of the program and the resident. The resident will be required to achieve the following outcomes:

• Serve as an authoritative expert on the optimal use of medications in the care of patients with critical illness
• Optimize the outcomes of patients with acute and chronic diseases in various settings through the expert provision of evidence-based, patient-centered medication therapy as part of an interdisciplinary team
• Demonstrate leadership and practice management skills
• Manage and improve the medication-use process for patients with critical illness
• Demonstrate excellence in the provision of training and educational activities for healthcare professionals, students, and the public
• Participate in the management of medical emergencies
• Conduct a research project
• Contribute to the body of critical care pharmacotherapy knowledge
• Demonstrate additional skills for managing and improving the medication-use process for patients with critical illness
• Demonstrate additional training and educational skills
• Demonstrate skills required to function in an academic setting

Residency Experience/Requirements

This program provides a diverse critical care experience while focusing on the needs of the individual resident. Residents may tailor elective rotations to meet their particular goals and career needs. Residents receive formal evaluations following each monthly rotation.

Required core and elective rotations include:

Core rotations: Medical ICU (two months), Trauma/Surgical ICU (two months), Neurovascular ICU, Cardiovascular ICU, Emergency Medicine, and Pediatric ICU.

Elective rotations: Infectious disease, Neonatal ICU, Burn ICU (offsite), and a repeat of any core rotation.

The completion of a research project and manuscript suitable for publication are required.

An optional Teaching Certificate Program is offered to interested applicants.