Pharmacy Residency Programs
Our PGY-1 pharmacy residents can look forward to being an active member of our team of health care providers involved in coordinated patient care. Pharmacists can expect to:
- Provide confident and compassionate pharmaceutical care in multiple patient environments.
- Promote optimal drug therapy outcomes as vital members of a health care team.
- Receive advanced training in acute and ambulatory patient care, professional communications, pharmacy management and teaching.
Program Summary
- Duration: 12 months
- Number of Positions
- Allen Hospital PGY1 Residency: 3, NMS matching #211313
- Community-Based PGY1 Residency: 2, NMS matching #262315
- Application deadline: January 6
- Starting date: Mid- to late June
- Estimated stipend: $48,505
- Interview required: Yes, onsite or virtual depending on circumstances
- Learn more about our programs!
Our Team
Residents will work closely with a diverse group of preceptors, staff pharmacists and other residents.
About UnityPoint Health
UnityPoint Health – Waterloo includes a 204-bed, non-profit community hospital, two critical access hospitals and more than 25 primary care and specialty clinics in a 10-county service area. An affiliate of UnityPoint Health, a health care organization with nearly 35,000 team members in three states, we are part of a health system that cares for one out of every three patients in Iowa.
As the busiest hospital in the Cedar Valley, Allen Hospital cares for more inpatients, outpatients, emergency patients and cardiac patients than any other hospital in the 10-county service area. To learn more about UnityPoint Health – Waterloo and its services, visit www.unitypoint.org/waterloo.
Benefits of joining our program
- Exposure to wide range of clinical specialties
- Achieve competency in all areas of hospital practice
- Core and elective learning experiences leading to practice expertise, training and feedback from preceptors
- Conduct major resident-led research project to be presented at a regional conference
- Teaching opportunities, including both experiential and didactic experiences
- Opportunity to complete a teaching certificate program as well as various other training activities
- Other benefits include paid time off, Total Rewards benefits package, free and convenient parking, reimbursement for mid-year clinical meeting and regional residency symposium.
UnityPoint Health pharmacy residency programs are American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)-accredited.
Application Requirements
As an ASHP-Accredited site, we participate in the ASHP residency matching process. Candidates must complete the Phorcas residency application before the deadline listed on the ASHP residency site. It must also include a personal statement/letter of intent, curriculum vitae and verified pharmacy education transcripts.
Qualifications
Candidates for must possess a Doctorate of Pharmacy degree or equivalent experience from school of pharmacy accredited by the American Council on Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE) and be eligible for licensure to practice pharmacy in their respective state. Candidates must also participate in the ASHP Resident Matching Program.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are the residents selected?
Resident selection involves an application process through PhORCAS (Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application) and an onsite interview. Interviews are held in January and February of each year.
How many residents are you recruiting?
- Allen Hospital PGY-1 Program: 3, NMS matching #211313
- Community-based PGY-1 Program: 2, NMS matching #262315
How much is the stipend?
The PGY-1 stipend is approximately $48,505. Residents are also offered a benefits package – more details provided upon request.
Will I work holidays?
Yes, each resident will work at least two and a maximum of three holidays throughout the year. These will be assigned. If a resident cannot work on a scheduled holiday, they will need to negotiate a trade with the other resident.
When is the application deadline?
The application, curriculum vitae, college transcripts, three letters of recommendation and a letter of intent must all be submitted by January 6, 2021 via the PhORCAS system . Interviews are planned to begin mid-January and throughout February.
Is a transcript required?
Yes. Although the most current transcript may not be necessary. A transcript missing one or two clerkship/clinical rotation grades is easily supplemented by any letters or recommendations that are written by the preceptor/s of those rotations. In addition, a complete transcript can be sent at any time prior to January 30, once the final fall semester/quarter grades are available provided that a recent transcript has already be sent.
When is the start date?
Typically, the Monday of the second to last or last week of June, with July 1 as latest possible start date. Start date is based on pay periods for the year. The start date will be communicated to the matched residents in April.
Do I need to have an Iowa license?
YES! All residents are required to pursue licensure in Iowa prior to beginning the residency training program and complete by August 1. If a resident fails to be licensed by August 1, the residency contract will be terminated.
How is the resident's year structured?
- Allen Hospital PGY-1 Program: The first 6-8 weeks of the residency involves orientation. During this period, the resident will spend time training in various pharmacy and patient care areas learning the pharmacy and hospital computer systems, becoming BLS and ACLS certified (if not already), exploring potential research projects, etc. Clinical rotations are typically 4-8 weeks. A research month may be scheduled based upon the magnitude and number of extra projects taken on by the resident in addition to appropriate progression of clinical experience. A week in December is reserved for attendance at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting.
- Community-Based PGY-1 Program: The first 4-6 weeks of the residency involves orientation. During this period, the resident will spend time training in various pharmacy and patient care areas learning the pharmacy and computer systems, becoming BLS certified (if not already), and exploring potential research projects, etc. Once orientation is completed, the resident will provide clinical services for the pharmacy and adjoining clinics. This may include but not be limited to MTM, disease state management, vaccine services (on and off site), discharge medication reconciliation and long-term care management. As a new residency, the potential for additional services is open. Residents may also have opportunities for experiences in the hospital.
What is involved in the staff requirement?
Allen Hospital PGY-1 residents will provide weekend pharmacy coverage rotating every third weekend (one resident per weekend), generally an eight hour shift (0700-1530), also two evening shifts per three week cycle (1500-2130) and two assigned holidays (0700-1530). Community-Based PGY1 residents will provide weekend pharmacy coverage. Your schedule will be provided at the beginning of the program.
How are residents evaluated?
At the beginning of the residency year, the resident will complete an initial assessment and the residency director will use this to create a development plan. Flexibility has been built into the program to allow the resident to adapt the program to meet their interests and focus on identified areas for improvement. This plan will be updated quarterly. The resident must be evaluated at the end of each learning experience by his/her preceptor. In addition, all assignments, including journal clubs and presentations, must be evaluated by all attendees.
Where can I find the residency manual for the PGY-1 Allen Hospital residency?
Please contact Amy.Kacher@unitypoint.org or Lisa.Veit@unitypoint.org to receive a copy of our manual.
What teaching opportunities are available?
Pharmacy residents will participate in the University of Iowa College of Pharmacy's Pharmacy Educator Preparation Program for Residents (PEPPR) teaching certificate program. Allen Hospital (AH) maintains an affiliation with Allen College of Nursing and University of Iowa College of Pharmacy as a clinical teaching site for students. AH residents have opportunities to assist in the teaching of students from multiple disciplines including pharmacy, medicine, nursing, and nurse practitioners. Opportunities for didactic teaching may be available within the College of Pharmacy or Allen College of Nursing.
Are all of the residents from Iowa or Iowa pharmacy schools?
No, Allen Hospital considers all residency applicants and strives to obtain diversity in the educational backgrounds of the residents. However, we are not able to sponsor Visas.
Do residents receive support to attend professional meetings?
Financial support is provided for all required meetings (ASHP MCM, Midwest Pharmacy Residency Conference). Total support includes hotel accommodations, airfare, conference registration, and meals to a maximum of $1000 unless otherwise specified.
Do residents have library privileges?
Residents have access to Allen College's library as well as online references from the Hardin Library of Health Sciences – University of Iowa. The Micromedex, Pharmacist's Letter and DynaMed systems are available through the hospital's intranet.
Do resident have Internet and email access?
Each resident is assigned a computer, and will have access to computers in each nursing station as well as the pharmacy. All computers have internet access and email capabilities. Free Wi-Fi is available onsite.
What is the average cost for housing in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls area?
You should expect to pay $400 – $1200/month for a one or two bedroom apartment. Housing will need to be arranged by the resident. Contact the Residency Coordinator or other pharmacy staff for suggestions on the area if needed.
What else is there to do in the area?
Waterloo and Cedar Falls have an abundance of recreational opportunities including museums, visual performing arts venues, sports teams and arenas, and leisure activities. There is also an extensive bike and walking trail system throughout the Cedar Valley. A variety of local multi-cultural activities exist – see links below for calendars of events in the area. Both communities are family-friendly environments welcoming a diverse array of people from all walks of life.
Waterloo's shopping mall and movie theater are just the beginning of what the town offers. The outdoor waterpark accommodates hundreds of people daily and is a great family-friendly attraction. Waterloo is also home to a casino as well as two sports teams. The Waterloo Bucks are a pleasure for local baseball fans and the Waterloo Black Hawks hockey team floods Young Arena with its fans each season. Waterloo is home to Hawkeye Community College, Allen College, and an off-site alternative location for many other small colleges and universities.
Cedar Falls has many artistic venues to enjoy and a Main Street District that is enjoyable for all ages. With its historically renovated shops, theaters and art studios, as well as great restaurants, the area offers activity options for everyone. Cedar Falls is also home to the University of Northern Iowa. Not only does this allow for Panther sporting events and a beautiful campus to enjoy, but a well-rounded calendar of events for all interests.
The rural Cedar Valley also has hidden treasures not to be missed. Small town shops, town fairs and festivals, and beautiful scenery all give you the opportunity to engage in the rural life of local Iowans. There are plenty of things to see with just a short distance to drive. However, the Cedar Valley is conveniently located in the midst of several major cities that have their own flavor and attractions.
Distances to major cities: Des Moines, 125 miles; Minneapolis, 200 miles; Chicago, 268 miles; Omaha, 242 miles; Kansas City, 310 miles, St. Louis, 356 miles.
Resident Life in Waterloo/ Cedar Falls
Cedar Falls Tourism & Visitor Bureau
Waterloo Convention & Visitors Bureau
Grout Museum District
Waterloo Center for the Arts
Eastern Iowa Tourism
University of Northern Iowa
WCF Courier