PGY2 Critical Care Residency

Program Goals

The PGY2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residency at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center is an ASHP-accredited, one-year postgraduate training program. The program consists of rotations throughout a variety of critical care specialty areas and the emergency department designed to develop advanced skills and competencies necessary to be competent and confident practitioners of pharmaceutical care in the critical care specialty.

The purpose of the PGY2 pharmacy residency program is to 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.

About Our Program

With the world-renown Memorial Hermann Life Flight® air medical transport service flying more than 3,000 critically-ill patients per year into one of the country's busiest Level I Trauma Centers at Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center. As the primary teaching hospital for the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) Medical School, PGY2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residents have the opportunity to work with leading physicians who have defined practice in a variety of fields through innovative research. Within the Department of Pharmacy, 13 clinical pharmacist-specialists are dedicated to caring for critically ill patients in 8 specialized intensive care units and the emergency department. Residents at our institution have one of the best resident to preceptor ratios for critical care residencies in the country.

PGY2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residents will rotate though areas including the Texas Trauma Institute, Neuroscience ICU, and the Heart & Vascular Institute, which make up the backbone of this unique learning environment. During rotations, residents work with teams who have a long history of close partnership with clinical pharmacist-specialists, allowing the residents to integrate seamlessly with attending physicians, fellows, medical residents and interns. Within this teaching environment, PGY2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residents will have the opportunity to provide education across all disciplines including medical staff, nursing, respiratory care, dietitians, and other pharmacists.

Rotations and Experiences

PGY2 Critical Care Residents will be exposed to a broad range of experiences and activities intended to build the skills necessary to practice as a clinical pharmacist in the critical care setting. Residents are required to complete an orientation month, along with 8 month-long rotations. The remaining months will consist of a research project month and 2 month-long elective rotations.

Residents will conduct a longitudinal research project throughout their residency year that includes presenting the results at a regional residency conference and preparing a written manuscript. Presentation skills will be enhanced by giving an ACPE-accredited seminar presentation along with other formal presentations throughout the year. Residents will also gain experience with teaching and precepting through co-precepting pharmacy students on clinical rotations and the option of completing a teaching certification program.

Required Rotations

• Orientation
• Emergency Medicine
• Cardiology Care Unit (CCU)
• Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) or Heart Failure ICU (HFICU)
• Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU)
• Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit (NSICU): Cerebrovascular Service
• Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit (NSICU): Trauma Service
• Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
• Shock-Trauma Intensive Care Unit (STICU)

Elective Rotations

• Core Rotations:
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Medical Intensive Care Unit
  • Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit
  • Shock-Trauma Intensive Care Unit
• Burn Unit
• Nutrition Support

Other Experiences

• Drug Information
  • Drug Monograph/Guideline or Protocol
  • Medication Use Evaluation
  • Case Report or Clinical Review Article
  • Peer Review an Article
• Education
  • Journal Club
  • PGY2 Critical Care Lecture Series
  • Seminar Presentation (ACPE-accredited)
  • Short Topic Presentation
  • Code Olympics
  • Critical Care Nursing Orientation
  • Student Mentor
  • Teaching Certificate (optional)
• Pharmacy Operations
  • Clinical On-Call
  • Clinical Weekend Staffing
  • Code Team
  • Medication Variance Committee
• Research
  • Conduct a Major Project
  • Meeting Abstract
  • Poster Presentation
  • Platform Presentation
  • Manuscript

Benefits

Application Requirements

• A strong academic record and demonstrate a desire for professional accomplishment.
• Graduated from an ACPE-accredited college of pharmacy with a Pharm.D.
• Completed a one-year ASHP-accredited PGY1 Pharmacy Residency.
• Eligibility for licensure as a pharmacist in Texas
  • See the Texas State Board of Pharmacy website for licensure requirements.
  • All residents MUST be licensed within 60 days of the residency start date.
• Registered with PhORCAS and the ASHP Residency Matching Program; NMS Code #582852.

Application Process

To apply for this program, you must submit the following through the Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application Service (PhORCAS):

• Letter of Intent
  • Should be 1 to 2 pages, using a 12-point font and 1 inch margins.
  • The letter should address all of the following:
    • Explain why you want to pursue a PGY2 critical care residency
    • Discuss your long-term career goals and why you believe this program will help you achieve these goals
• Curriculum Vitae
  • Please include a list of all completed and anticipated PGY1 rotations and completed APPE rotations.
• Three Letters of Reference
  • Only the PhORCAS standardized reference form is required.
• College of Pharmacy Transcripts
  • Should be submitted directly to PhORCAS
• Application deadline is January 2nd

Applicants considered for a position will be interviewed during January or February. Applicants will be given a tour of the facilities and will have a chance to meet with the Residency Program Director, clinical pharmacy staff, and current pharmacy residents.

Memorial Hermann recognizes the health benefits of a tobacco-free lifestyle as well as the special duty to maintain and promote a healthy and safe environment for our patients, visitors, physicians, and employees. In an effort to further this goal, Memorial Hermann does not hire individuals who use tobacco products in any form

For further information, contact:

Teresa A. Allison, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCCCP, FCCM
Program Director, PGY2 Critical Care Residency
Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center
Phone: (713) 704-6225
E-mail: Teresa.Allison@memorialhermann.org