Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and the University of Tennessee offer four PGY1 residency positions and two PGY2 residency positions.
The residency experience is tailored to the individual resident based upon their goals, interests and previous experiences. All residents are required to complete rotations in core areas considered to be essential to the pharmacy practitioner within-their assigned residency program. A broad range of elective rotations is available to allow residents flexibility in pursuing individual goals.
Additional learning experiences aimed at producing a versatile pharmacist include the development and completion of a major research project, growth of oral and written communication skills, participation in various departmental committees, and service in various pharmacy areas throughout the institution. Residents in both programs are expected to:
- Provide pharmaceutical care in multiple settings, applying evidence-based knowledge
- Maintain independent learning skills
- Possess a professional ethic
- Develop effective communication and cultivate confident leadership skills
- Understand research methods and opportunities
- Take responsibility for evaluation of one's work
- Provide effective drug education to others
- Understand and participate in the medication use improvement system
- Improve the drug distribution system
- Assume personal responsibility for effecting change through involvement in multidisciplinary and intradepartmental teams
The specific program for each resident varies based upon his or her goals, interests and previous experience. However, all residents are required to complete rotations in core subject areas considered to be essential to the pharmacy practitioner in the pediatric setting.
Both programs have 11 months of rotations that follow the calendar month. December is excluded as time in that month is devoted to attending the ASHP midyear meeting, shared coverage of the PN service, PTO for holidays, and designated project days.
Program Requirements
Additional program requirements include active participation in residency orientation program, lunch and learn topic discussions, multi-disciplinary hospital committees as well as teaching and recruitment activities. The resident is also expected to:
- Conduct a major research project
- Prepare a manuscript acceptable for publication
- Deliver a platform presentation at PPA and Mid-South Residency Conference in the spring
- Complete a Medication Use Evaluation
- Present and actively participate in journal club and patient case discussions
- Obtain BLS and PALS certification
- Develop and present a Continuing Education program
- Reach achievement level on at least 75% of ASHP Competencies, Goals, and Objectives with none at the needs improvement level
Hospital Service Commitment
This component is designed to ensure that residents gain experience and can function as a pharmacist in a pediatric hospital. To achieve this objective, residents are scheduled approximately two clinical shifts/month and approximately 16 hours/month as an operational pharmacist.
