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United Hospital Pharmacy Residency Program

Contact information

Lisa Gersema, PharmD, BCPS, Residency Program Director
phone 651-241-8879
E-mail us

Objective

The purpose of our PGY-1 pharmacy practice residency program is “to provide experience and knowledge that fosters the development of skills to fulfill the challenges of evolving roles in pharmacy practice.”

Our program goals include:

• developing leadership skills
• providing effective care
• collaborating with other health care providers to achieve positive patient outcomes
• developing effective self-evaluation and self-learning skills
• gaining an appreciation of the interrelationship of clinical systems, technology and distribution systems to provide an effective medication-use system

Pharmacy residents develop advanced practice skills in managing drug therapy for a variety of diseases, as well as build proficiency in communicating daily with physicians, nurses and pharmacists. Resident goals and objectives are taught and evaluated using the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Residency Learning System (RLS). Two one-year resident positions are available beginning July 1.

Required experience

• three to five weeks of orientation and pharmacy services training
• four- to five-week rotations in core areas such as cardiology, surgery, internal medicine, critical care, oncology and practice management
• residents plan, design and implement one major residency project

Conferences

• Minnesota Society of Health-System Pharmacists (MSHP) midyear and annual meetings
• ASHP midyear clinical meeting
• Midwest Pharmacy Residents Conference

Additional opportunities

• “Current Pharmacy Topics” discussion group with other Allina pharmacy residents and leaders
• active participation in the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee
• journal club presentations
• adverse drug reaction review 
• in-service presentations
• DUE activities
• formulary drug evaluation
• involvement in drug-policy initiatives
• projects specific to each rotation 

Staffing responsibilities

Each resident serves as a central and decentralized pharmacist, which will help the resident master practice skills, as well as increase confidence by accepting total responsibility for safe and effective pharmaceutical care. This is usually scheduled for every third weekend and an occasional evening shift. 

Admission prerequisites

• Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an accredited college of pharmacy
• eligible for licensure in Minnesota

Benefits

Residents are eligible for health insurance, paid time off and free on-site parking. Residents are supported to attend professional meetings, such as the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. Resources include resident office space, use of a personal computer and e-mail and Internet access.

Stipend

Salaries are competitive and updated annually. Contact the program director for the most current information. 

United Pharmacy

There are 45 pharmacists, many of whom have completed residency programs, and 45 support personnel on staff at United Pharmacy. The department is open 24 hours a day and provides decentralized services 16 hours a day. Clinical pharmacy services include:

• participation at codes
• multidisciplinary care rounds
• in-service education to medical/nursing staff
• patient education programs
• pharmacokinetic monitoring
• parenteral nutrition monitoring
• antibiotic advisory service
• computerized provider order entry

Use of computer technology and technical support staff allows pharmacists more time to provide clinical services to each patient. Our pharmacists also serve as preceptors for PharmD students from the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy.

United Hospital

United Hospital is a 556-bed acute care regional medical center, located in downtown St. Paul, Minn. United provides comprehensive medical services in cardiology, cardiac surgery, psychiatry, epilepsy, gastroenterology, oncology, family practice and obstetrics and gynecology. United has an automated medical record and computerized physician order entry system. 

United Hospital is part of Allina Hospitals & Clinics, a nonprofit network of hospitals, clinics and other health care services. 

Twin Cities

The Twin Cities, located in the heart of Minnesota, is a large metropolitan area with a growing population of ethnically diverse groups. Local attractions range from shopping at the Mall of America shopping to shows at the Ordway Theater, Minnesota Orchestra and Minneapolis Institute of Arts. The opportunities for outdoor recreation are limitless, with an abundance of parks, lakes and cross-country ski and bike trails within the Twin-City limits. Even sports fans are able to enjoy professional major league sports with the Minnesota Twins baseball, Saint Paul Saints baseball, Vikings football, Timberwolves basketball and Wild hockey, among others. 

Residency application requirements

Register with ASHP Residency Matching Program before Jan. 9, 2009. Requirements:

• eligible for Minnesota pharmacy license
• submit the following on or before Jan. 12, 2009:
• letter of intent
• current, official transcript of all pharmacy-related coursework/clerkships
• three letters of recommendation
• curriculum vitae
• applicants considered for a position will be invited for an on-site interview with the program director and selected pharmacy staff in January or February





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United Hospital
333 North Smith Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55102
651-241-8855
E-mail us