Navigating Pharmacy Residency Requirements at UCLA Health

UCLA Health stands as a beacon of healthcare excellence, offering a nurturing environment where allied health professionals can thrive. Its commitment to fostering growth and empowering its staff is evident in its various programs, including the pharmacy residency programs. This article delves into the requirements for pharmacy residency at UCLA Health, providing a comprehensive guide for prospective applicants.

Overview of UCLA Health Pharmacy Residency Programs

UCLA Health's pharmacy residency programs are designed to cultivate skilled pharmacist practitioners. These programs build upon the foundation of a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) education, shaping residents into competent professionals equipped with knowledge, skills, and abilities in diverse patient care settings. With a focus on practice management, leadership, and education, the residencies prepare individuals for advanced patient care roles, board certification in pharmacotherapy (BCPS), and further postgraduate training.

UCLA Health offers several residency programs, including:

PGY1 Pharmacy Residency - Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency - UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center
PGY2 Infectious Diseases Pharmacy Residency

General Requirements for All Programs

While specific program details may vary, certain fundamental requirements apply to all UCLA Health pharmacy residency programs. These include:

Educational Background: Applicants must be in progress toward anticipated completion (or prior completion) of a pharmacy education program from an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited or ACPE Candidate status School of Pharmacy leading to a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree OR possess a Foreign Pharmacy Graduate Equivalency Committee (FPGEC) certificate from the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP).
Academic Standing: A minimum GPA of 3.0 or PASS from School of Pharmacy is typically required.
Licensure: Candidates must be eligible for full licensure to practice pharmacy in the State of California within 90 days of the residency start date if not already licensed in the State of California. An active California Pharmacy Intern License is required prior to entrance into the program if not already licensed as a Pharmacist in the State of California.
Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential.

PGY1 Pharmacy Residency - Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center

The Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, with over 950 beds, serves as a teaching site for the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and other allied health professions educational programs. Pharmacy residents here work as part of the healthcare team to provide patient education and pharmaceutical care, gaining experience in acute care areas such as oncology, transplant, and critical care.

Program Structure

Residents rotate through required and elective learning experiences, developing clinical, teaching, operational, and administrative skills. Rotations include:

Hospital Satellite Pharmacy Staffing
Longitudinal Residency Projects
Weekend Staffing Responsibilities
Bowyer Outpatient Oncology
Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit
Investigational Drug Section
Oncology: Adult Malignant Hematology

Additional Requirements and Opportunities

Code Blue Certification: Residents receive training and certification in Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS).
Discharge Pharmacy: Residents act as the Meds to Beds pharmacist on weekends.
Diabetes Education: Residents receive training from Diabetes Educators.
Administrative Responsibilities: Participation in monthly Medication Safety Meetings and preparation of reports for Pharmacy and Therapeutics Meetings.
Teaching Certificate: Completion of a teaching certificate in conjunction with UC Irvine School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Residency Project: Each resident chooses a research project and presents their findings at conferences.
Quality Assurance Project: Completion of a medication use evaluation.

PGY1 Pharmacy Residency - UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center

The UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center offers a 281-bed, full-service medical campus. The PGY1 pharmacy residency program here is a 12-month curriculum offering training opportunities in acute care, research, clinical services, and pharmacy leadership.

Program Design

The program is designed to offer an individualized training plan based on the resident's interests, goals, and past experiences. It aims to develop competent clinical pharmacists capable of providing direct patient care in an acute care environment.

Key Components

Administrative Responsibilities: Participation in Medication Safety Meetings.
Teaching: Completion of a teaching certificate with UC Irvine, preparation of newsletter articles, delivery of continuing education presentations, and leading journal club sessions.
Residency Project: Completion of a research project.
Medication Use Evaluation: Evaluation of drug use appropriateness within the health system.

PGY2 Infectious Diseases Pharmacy Residency

This program builds upon PharmD education and PGY1 residency training to develop pharmacist practitioners with advanced knowledge and skills in infectious diseases.

Program Focus

The PGY2 Infectious Diseases Pharmacy Residency enhances clinical knowledge in infectious diseases pharmacotherapy, clinical microbiology, and disease state management. Residents serve as clinical experts for infectious diseases, perform antimicrobial stewardship activities, and communicate recommendations to optimize patient care.

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Rotations and Experiences

Adult Infectious Diseases (General ID Service: RRMC & SMH-UCLA)
Pediatric Infectious Diseases Service
Liver Transplantation Infectious Diseases Service
Heart/Lung Transplantation Infectious Diseases Service
Neurocritical Care Infectious Diseases Service
Clinical Microbiology (Brentwood Lab)
Outpatient Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT)
Longitudinal Residency Projects and Committee Participation

Abbreviated learning experiences are also available in areas like Cardiothoracic Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Medicine, and various transplant services.

Additional Opportunities

Infectious Diseases Pharmacy Committees: Participation in the Antibiotic Subcommittee and the Antibiotic Stewardship Program.
Research Project: Completion of a research project suitable for publication, with presentation at conferences.
Quality Assurance Project: Completion of a medication use evaluation.
Medication Safety: Contribution to medication safety efforts related to antimicrobial therapy.
Teaching: Opportunities to co-precept pharmacy students and PGY1 residents.

Application Process

UCLA Health pharmacy residency programs participate in the ASHP Resident Matching Program. All applicants must be enrolled in this program. Applications are accepted through the ASHP Resident Matching Program via the PhORCAS system. USC Mann abides by the rules for the ASHP Pharmacy Resident Matching Program. Applications for each program are accepted through the ASHP Resident Matching Program through the PhORCAS system, and applicants are ranked through the National Matching Services (NMS).

Key Dates and Deadlines

While specific dates may vary, applications are typically due by January 2nd via PhORCAS. Interviews are usually conducted in February.

Required Materials

To be considered for a residency position, applicants must submit the following:

Application through PhORCAS
Curriculum Vitae
Letter of Intent
Academic Transcripts
Letters of Recommendation

Advice for Prospective Applicants

Gain relevant experience: Pursue volunteer and internship experiences to understand the healthcare environment.
Shadow practitioners: Spend time shadowing pharmacists to understand their daily responsibilities.
Engage in research: Develop critical thinking skills through research opportunities.
Network with professionals: Connect with mentors and upperclassmen in pre-health clubs for guidance.
Maintain a strong GPA: Focus on academic performance and aim for a competitive GPA.
Develop strong communication skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills are crucial.

Dispelling Myths About Pre-Health Programs at UCLA

Myth: You must be a STEM major to be pre-health.
- Fact: A specific science degree is not required.
Myth: UCLA doesn’t have a Pre-Med/Pre-Health Advisor.
- Fact: There are numerous staff across campus who provide pre-med and pre-health advising services.

Important Notice: Employment Scam Alert

UCLA Health Recruitment is aware of ongoing scams targeting applicants through external job boards. Be cautious of requests for personal information or money, as these communications are fraudulent and do not originate from UCLA Health. UCLA Health will never ask for money or payments from applicants at any point in the recruitment process.

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