A collaborative program between the Veterans Affairs Caribbean Healthcare System (VACHS) and the University of Puerto Rico School of Pharmacy (UPR-SOP)

Accreditation Status

This program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP Code: 01100)

Program Description

The program consists of a 12-month period of concentrated training in all aspects of pharmacy practice. It is a structured training program in which service complements the educational and experiential objectives of the residency. Formal procedures for site, preceptors, and residents’ evaluations are in place. The learning experiences are provided according to the level and type of experiences specified in the broad outcomes established for the program. The program is flexible, in that it will adapt to the needs of the individual resident; yet it will provide the foundation for quality pharmacy practice. The goal of the program is to enhance the resident’s competence and skills in patient care, as a productive member of a health care team and to obtain in depth working knowledge of all other areas of clinical and administrative pharmacy practice. An academic certificate program with the University of Puerto Rico School of Pharmacy is also offered to interested residents as a parallel optional opportunity.

Program Goals

PGY1 pharmacy residency programs build on Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) education and outcomes to contribute to the development of clinical pharmacists responsible for medication-related care of patients with a wide range of conditions, eligible for board certification, and eligible for postgraduate year two (PGY2) pharmacy residency training. Program goals include, but are not limited to:

  • Provide safe and effective patient care to a diverse range of patients, including those with multiple comorbidities, high risk medication regimens and multiple medications following a consistent patient care process, in collaboration with the healthcare team.
  • Ensure continuity of care during patient transitions between care settings.
  • Prepare, dispense, and manage medications to support safe and effective drug therapy for patients.
  • Demonstrate ability to manage formulary and medication-use processes, as applicable to the organization.
  • Demonstrate ability to evaluate and investigate practice, review data, and assimilate scientific evidence to improve patient care and/or the medication use system.
  • Demonstrate leadership skills.
  • Demonstrate management skills.
  • Provide effective medication and practice related education to patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, students, and the public (individuals and groups).
  • Effectively employ appropriate preceptor roles when engaged in teaching students, pharmacy technicians, or fellow health care professionals.

Learning Experiences

  • Orientation and Assessment
  • Direct Patient Care Rotations
  • Practice Management
  • Service/Staffing Rotation and Weekends
  • Teaching Experience
  • Investigational Drug Services

Direct Patient Experiences

  • Acute care/Internal Medicine
  • Anticoagulation Management Program
  • Antimicrobial Stewardship
  • Cardiology
  • Critical Care
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Extended Patient Care Units
  • Home-Based Primary Care
  • Infectious Disease
  • Mental Health
  • Oncology
  • Pain and Palliative Care
  • Primary Care -Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT)
  • Transitions of Care

Requirements for Completion

• Complete all required learning experiences
• Complete a residency project
• Present the residency project results at the VACHS and prepare a manuscript suitable for publication
• Participate in the quarterly pharmacy newsletter
• Complete at least one medication use evaluation
• Prepare a drug class review, monograph, treatment guideline or protocol
• Comply with the service commitment requirements
• Present two formal conferences to the pharmacy staff
• Actively participate in one pharmacy service committee
• Actively participate in residency conferences and educational activities
• Prepare a portfolio of his/her practice and development, including a final self-reflection

Benefits

• Stipend
• Health and life insurance benefits
• 35 accrued leave time: 13 personal days, 13 sick leave & 10 holidays

Certificate

A certificate of residency accredited by ASHP is awarded to the residents who successfully complete the residency program.

Requirements

  • Participation in the National Matching Service (NMS) Resident Matching Program and PhORCAS (Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application Service)
  • Academic: Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D) degree from an accredited college /school of pharmacy and college transcript
  • Licensure eligibility or licensure to practice pharmacy in a State, Territory, Commonwealth of the United States (e.g., Puerto Rico) or the District of Columbia.
  • Nationality: U.S. citizenship
  • Interview: An on-site panel interview
  • Letters of recommendation: Three formal letters using established format
  • Letter of intent essay expressing interest and the reason for pursuing a residency
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Language: Fluent in Spanish and English

Address all inquiries and application materials by January 15th of each year to:

Address:

University of Puerto Rico
School of Pharmacy
PO Box 365067
San Juan, PR 00936-5067

Iadelisse Cruz-González, PharmD, BCGP
Pharmacy Residency Program Director
Email: iadelisse.cruz@upr.edu
Tel. (787) 758-2525 Ext. 5300, 5301

Carlos Méndez, PharmD
Pharmacy Residency Program Administrator
Email: carlos.mendez3@va.gov
Tel. (787) 641-7582 Ext. 111710