Pharmacy Residency Program - St. Alexius Medical Center

St. Alexius Medical Center and North Dakota State University
College of Pharmacy, Nursing and Allied Services
Post-Graduate Year One (PGY1)
Pharmacy Residency Program

The Residency Program
The St. Alexius PGY1 Residency Program has been accredited by ASHP since
1994. Our program provides the residents with a supportive and instructional
environment in which to develop the necessary problem-solving skills to become
confident, competent and independent in providing pharmaceutical care to patients
in multiple settings. Teaching opportunities, research coordination and serving as a
preceptor and role model for students enhance the learning environment and the
development of leadership skills. Professional commitment is strengthened through
the development of self-evaluation skills and involvement in professional societies
and community health activities.
The residency program is a unique 12 month program and consists of experience
in a broad range of clinical pharmacy services including:
• Anticoagulation • Critical Care • Drug Information • Drug Use Evaluations (DUE)
• General Medicine • Hematology/ Oncology • Home Infusion • Infectious Disease
• Neonatology • Nutrition • Pediatric • Pharmacokinetics • Research • Surgery
The Residency Experience
Career Development
• Flexibility built in to accommodate many interests
• Guidance from preceptors within specialty areas
Supportive Environment
• Support from medical, administrative and pharmacy staff
• Opportunities to participate with preceptors on special projects
• Professional development as an independent practitioner is expected
• Access to numerous inter-disciplinary resources
Training and Experience
• Rotations scheduled in a variety of areas
• Opportunity to teach via formal lectures and group discussions
• Clinical research with individual faculty members
• Formal presentations to peers and preceptors
• Residency committee input for career planning and guidance
State-of-the-Art Technology
• Automated dispensing cabinets
• Bar code and bedside medication scanning
• Electronic medical records
• Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE)
Assessment of Professional Growth
• Well defined goals and objectives for each rotation
• Evaluations by residents and preceptors after each rotation utilizing
Resitrak
• Peer and preceptor review of presentations and seminars
Development of Peer Relationships
• Former residents in academic, governmental, administrative and pharmacy
practice positions
During the year, residents will gain experience in teaching and will actively
participate in lectures to other healthcare providers in pharmacology and
therapeutics. Additionally, St. Alexius residents serve as a preceptor for PharmD
students while on clinical rotations.
An extensive research program offers experience in clinical research. Residents may
initiate projects or work with clinical investigators on ongoing research projects. In
addition, participation in DUE is expected.
Each resident is required to present a poster at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting
and presentation at the Midwest Pharmacy Residents’ Conference resulting from
personal research or involvement in unique patient care activities.
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The Clinical Experience
Clinical rotations are offered in a variety of areas and may be tailored to the
interests of the individual resident. Activities while on clinical service include
rounds, monitoring drug therapy, drug information, pharmacokinetic consultations,
and in-service education for staff and physicians. As a resident you will also have
the opportunity to become involved in ongoing research projects, gain experience in
lecturing and serve as a preceptor for PharmD students.
Required Rotations:
Adult Medicine
• experience in pharmaceutical care in a general medicine setting
• develop the basic knowledge and skills to make appropriate
pharmacotherapeutic interventions in the adult patient
• expand and apply pharmaceutical knowledge in the adult medicine setting
Critical Care
• participate in daily rounds with the intensivists and multi-disciplinary team
• dosing of critical care medications
• physician and patient education
• emphasis on adult critical care
Informatics
• experience the challenges of current and future pharmacy practice as
related to Physician Order Entry and Medication Verification
• implement solution design decisions and tailor application databases to
meet the unique requirements of the department and client institution
Informatics (cont.)
• introduction to the various health-system information technologies and
how they can improve patient safety
Longitudinal Rotations
• additional experience with pharmaceutical care in a chronic population
• involvement over the year of the residency
• experiences have included Cystic Fibrosis Clinic, Nephrology, Hospice,
Cardiac Rehab
Pediatrics/Neonatology
• emphasis on pharmacotherapy related to common pediatric diseases and
specific neonatal conditions
• age specific dosing recommendations
• parenteral and enteral nutrition consults
• involvement with the Cystic Fibrosis Clinic
Practice Management
• become familiar with the skills and knowledge necessary for hospital
pharmacy managers
• develop problem-solving management skills
• participate in development of drug use policy
• participate in drug distribution process improvement activities
• learn techniques for resolving conflict
• learn different budgeting strategies and how they are utilized
Elective and Specialty Rotations:
• Cardiology
• Nephrology
• Clinical Research • Nutritional Support
• Emergency and Trauma • Oncology/Hospice
• Home Health Care • Operating Room
• Home Infusion
• Psychiatry
• Infectious Disease • Pulmonology
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All About St. Alexius Medical Center
We welcome you to St. Alexius Medical Center, where you will find
compassion in our highly skilled physicians and staff and the newest
technology at work each and every day. Our employees are on a journey
to heal, a journey to serve, a journey to positively influence other people’s
lives and to live the Mission and Values of the medical center.
Stipends and Benefits
St. Alexius offers a competitive stipend. Additional benefits include:
• Ten (10) days vacation/year
• Meal discounts
• Employee parking
• Faculty appointments with the North Dakota State University
College of Pharmacy, Nursing and Allied Sciences
• Discount rates at St. Alexius Human Performance Center
• Expenses paid to ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and Midwest
Pharmacy Residents’ Conference
• Single health insurance plan
Application Requirements
Applicants must possess a PharmD degree and be eligible for licensure
by the North Dakota State Board of Pharmacy. Previous experience in
hospital pharmacy practice and a sound academic record are also important
considerations.
Applications will be accepted beginning November 15. The deadline for receipt
of application and three letters of reference is February 1. After applications
are reviewed, qualified candidates will be contacted to schedule an on-site
interview in Bismarck.
St. Alexius, the first hospital in Dakota Territory, was founded in 1885
by the Sisters of St. Benedict. It has grown into a state-of-the-art 304 bed
medical center with over 200 affiliated and staff physicians. St. Alexius
works in cooperation with other hospitals and clinics to provide healthcare
to central and western North Dakota and the surrounding area. Through
our dedication to our Mission, and with the talents of all who provide our
services, we shall continue to reflect the Rule of St. Benedict to
“Let all be received as Christ.”
Address letters requesting further information or application materials to:
Jennifer Paluh, PharmD
Department of Pharmacy
St. Alexius Medical Center
900 E Broadway Ave.
Bismarck, ND 58506-5510
Telephone Number: (701) 530-6991
Fax: (701) 530-6940
e-mail: jpaluh@primecare.org
website: st.alexius.org
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