Introduction

The Health-System Pharmacy Administration and Leadership (HSPAL) Residency is a 24-month post- Doctor of Pharmacy training program. The PGY1 and PGY2 years are designed to flow seamlessly together, with no need to re-apply or participate in the early commitment process.

During the first year, after an extensive one-month orientation, training experiences equivalent to the PGY1 program with emphasis in clinical practice, longitudinal experiences in management, and a 2-month administration rotation are provided. The PGY1 residency year provides a fertile environment to manage and improve the medication-use process, provide evidence-based, patient-centered medication therapy management with interdisciplinary teams, exercise leadership and practice management, demonstrate project management skills, provide medication and practice related education and training, and utilize medical informatics.

During the second year, the HSPAL resident will work collaboratively with the DUH senior management group, lead process improvement projects, provide patient care in a collaborative practice clinic, chair a subcommittee of the P&T committee, and manage human resources and financial resources to develop advanced leadership skills. The longitudinal structure with selected concurrent rotations in the PGY2 year will develop competence in high level managerial, supervisory, and leadership responsibilities. A high degree of resident involvement in the management of the pharmacy department is incorporated with decreasing supervision by advisors as the resident’s skills and knowledge increase. After a suitable training period has elapsed, residents will assume direct supervisory experience of a select area of pharmacy operations. Resident experiences will be tailored to meet individual goals and expectations.

Residents supplement their clinical and administrative learnings with didactic training in the Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (with specialization in health system pharmacy administration) curriculum at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. A separate application to the University of North Carolina’s graduate school is required.  Information on the program is available at the following web address: https://pharmacy.unc.edu/education/ms/residential-program/ .

Upon completion of the HSPAL residency, the resident will have developed significant professional skills and will be prepared to assume clinical and/or operational management positions in a hospital or health system.

Purpose

The PGY2 health-system pharmacy administration and leadership residency builds upon PGY1 residency graduates' competence in the delivery of patient-centered care and in pharmacy operational services to prepare residents who can assume high level managerial, supervisory, and leadership responsibilities. Areas of competence emphasized during the program include safe and effective medication-use systems, quality assurance and improvement, the management of human resources, the management of financial resources, use of technology, and advanced leadership. The residency lays the foundation for continued growth in management and leadership skills.
 
Upon graduation, residents are prepared for a clinical or operational management/supervisory role in a variety of work settings.

The HSPAL residency at Duke University Hospital (DUH) is designed to develop accountability; practice patterns; habits; and expert knowledge, skills, attitudes, and abilities in pharmacy practice and health system pharmacy leadership. The Health-System Pharmacy Administration Pharmacy Residency begins in the PGY1 year where broad-based competencies are achieved. In the PGY2 year continued training and experience will deepen the resident’s ability to manage and lead the development, implementation and management of a safe and effective medication system. Therefore, the Health-System Pharmacy Administration Pharmacy Residency provides residents with opportunities to function independently as practitioners and leaders by conceptualizing and integrating accumulated experience and knowledge and transforming both into improved medication therapy for patients. The resident will be competent in medication safety, clinical management and operations management and should possess competencies that enable attainment of board certification (i.e. BCPS). Upon completion of the 24-month program the resident will have developed significant professional skills and will be prepared to assume clinical and/or operational management positions in a hospital or health system.

Outcomes Achieved in the PGY1 Year

Detailed in the Duke University Hospital PGY1 Program Description

Outcomes Achieved in the PGY2 Year

Specific residency objectives will be established in the beginning of the residency modified according to the resident’s interests and previous experiences and advisor input. To meet the purpose of the residency, the resident will advance to achieve the following outcomes:

• Design, implement, and manage a safe and effective medication-use system
• Apply contemporary quality methodology to the management of pharmacy services.
• Lead and manage the health system pharmacy’s human resources.
• Manage the health system pharmacy financial performance within the context of the broader health system.
• Leverage technology and automated systems to optimize the medication-use system.
• Demonstrate personal leadership qualities and business acumen essential to operate effectively within the health system and advance the profession of pharmacy practice.

Teaching Opportunities

Resident involvement includes lecturing to or leading case discussions with Pharm.D. students, inservices to pharmacy, medical, and nursing staff, and co-precepting of Pharm.D. students on elective pharmacy administration rotations.

Click here to view a list of rotations and the Health System Pharmacy Administration Residency calendar. 

To apply for this residency, the following is required:

• Cover letter (approximately 1 page)
• Completed Application
• Curriculum Vitae
• Pharmacy College transcripts
• Complete recommendations (a minimum of four recommendations are required, at least two of which should be from clinical preceptors)
• Resident Matching Program number from the National Matching Service

Your cover letter, residency application, curriculum vitae and college transcripts must be received into PhORCAS no later than January 5th, 2025. After review by our Residency Selection Committee, qualified applicants will be notified to arrange an on-site interview during select days in January or February. This full-day on-site interview provides an excellent opportunity for residency applicants to become acquainted with the facilities, personnel, and residency program. Early application and file completion allow us to review candidates expeditiously and could possibly make travel arrangements more convenient.