Walgreens

Definition

A residency in pharmacy practice with emphasis in community care is defined as an organized, directed, postgraduate training program that centers on development of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to pursue pharmaceutical care for patients in the community pharmacy setting.

Philosophy

There is an expanding need and demand for pharmacists who are equipped to respond to the challenges and opportunities of community care. This program is intended to serve as a means to achieve that objective and, thus, is designed to prepare its participants for the realities of patient care in a rapidly changing healthcare environment. It provides opportunities to integrate the pharmaceutical care practice model and practice based outcomes research in community settings. A residency in pharmacy practice with emphasis in community care instills a philosophy of practice that outcomes should be considered from all relevant perspectives (e.g., from patients, providers, and payers) while embracing the concept that pharmacists must be responsible and accountable for optimal drug therapy. A key goal of the residency experience will be to contribute to the advancement of the profession of pharmacy and to the improvement of patient care.

The residency provides opportunity for pharmacists to:

• Provide direct patient care in the community pharmacy practice environment
• Refine their skills in communications, patient care, health and wellness promotion, practice management, marketing and compensation strategies, and technology
• Work with preceptors, pharmacy faculty, and other health professionals whose personal and professional goals include the advancement of the profession of pharmacy and the life-long learning in the environment in which they practice
• Engage in practice-based research, which leads to new knowledge about the beneficial and adverse outcomes of drug therapy or supports the provision and benefits of community care services
• Gain the experience and abilities needed to prosper professionally in a competitive healthcare system

Introduction

The purpose of a PGY1 Community-based Pharmacy Residency Program Purpose is to build upon the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) education and outcomes to develop community‐based pharmacist practitioners with diverse patient care, leadership, and education skills who are eligible to pursue advanced training opportunities including postgraduate year two (PGY2) residencies and professional certifications.

The mission of the MCPHS and Walgreens Community Pharmacy Residency Program is to provide a postgraduate educational and training experience to develop pharmacists with expertise in community pharmacy practice, provide compassionate care for members of their communities and contribute to Walgreens' advancement in health care. The residency program is based in Worcester, MA. Our pharmacy is an innovative community pharmacy practice site dedicated to providing pharmacist delivered clinical patient care services tailored to patients who are prescribed complex therapies for HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, multiple sclerosis, and oncology. This residency program is academically affiliated with and financially supported by MCPHS in Worcester, MA.

Residency Program

The community pharmacy resident will receive instruction and experience in each of the following components:

• Clinical
• Educational
• Operational / Administrative
• Elective

The program will emphasize development of the practical skills needed by current and future community pharmacists. As such, the majority of the resident's time will be spent at the Walgreens Patient Care Center at Walgreens on Park Ave, Worcester, where most of the clinical and operational experiences are best provided. The remainder of the time will be spent at MCPHS, UMass Memorial Medical Center, and the Barre Family Health Center.

The program will provide a minimum of 2,000 hours of education and training time extending over a period of fifty weeks beginning July 1. The residency directors will provide written learning objectives at the beginning of the program. These objectives will specify the skills and knowledge that the resident will gain upon successful completion of each assigned activity. The exact sequence of the resident's activities will be scheduled at the beginning of the residency year.

Employment Information

Stipend/Benefits: The resident will be paid a stipend of $50,000 with two weeks of paid vacation. The resident will be covered under comprehensive benefits plan in accordance with the Walgreens Company policies.

Application Information

All applications must be received no later than January 15 in the year in which admission is sought. Once all materials are received, the Program Director will contact eligible candidates for an on-site interview.

Candidate Requirements

• Commonwealth of Massachusetts Pharmacist License
• PharmD degree from a college or school of pharmacy accredit-ed by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
• Completed on-line application at www.walgreens.jobs
• Submission of residency application materials to Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application Service (PhORCAS)
• Curriculum Vitae
• Three professional letters of recommendation
• Letter of intent explaining why you are pursuing a community pharmacy residency and what you hope to gain from the residency program
• Official university transcripts
• On-site interview (upon invitation)
• Registered with the National Matching Service (NMS)

Contact

Ann M. Lynch, PharmD RPh, Residency Program Director
Professor of Pharmacy Practice
MCPHS
19 Foster Street
Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: 508.373.5639
Email: ann.lynch@mcphs.edu