Pediatric Pharmacy Residency Program

The mission of the HCA Florida Brandon Hospital Pharmacy Residency Program is to cultivate exceptional future leaders in pediatric pharmacy practice. The program is dedicated to developing future pediatric pharmacy clinicians by promoting confidence, compassion, leadership and integrity in pharmaceutical care. The residency also follows the HCA Florida Brandon Hospital mission: To provide every patient with quality, patient-centered pharmaceutical care through innovation, education and compassion.

The HCA Florida Brandon Hospital pharmacy residency program plans to build onto the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) education as well as the PGY1 pharmacy residency program experience to contribute to the development of pediatric clinical specialists responsible for medication-related care of patients with a wide range of conditions. PGY2 residencies provide residents with a chance to function as independent practitioners while integrating their cumulative experience into the provision of care in a specialized patient population.

Residents who successfully complete an accredited PGY2 pharmacy residency should possess capabilities that qualify them for clinical pharmacist and/or faculty positions and position them to be eligible for achievement of board certification in the specialized practice area. Pharmacists completing a Pediatric Pharmacy Practice Residency at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital will be confident, considerate and capable providers of care to pediatric patients in a multitude of healthcare environments. Each pharmacist will be highly committed and self-directed learners, able to adapt in many practice settings as well as having exceptional leadership skills to strengthen their pharmacy practice careers.

• Applicants must be graduates from a degree program that is accredited by (or one in process of pursuing accreditation by) the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE).
• Applicants must have completed an ASHP accredited PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program or one in the ASHP accreditation process (i.e., one with candidate or preliminary accreditation status).
• Applicants must be licensed or eligible to apply for a license to practice pharmacy in the state of Florida. All being selected residents MUST be licensed in the state of Florida by October 1st.
• Applicants must participate in the ASHP Residency Matching Program.
• Applicants' completed application must be submitted to PhORCAS prior to the first Friday of January and include:
  • Letter of intent
  • Copy of pharmacy school transcript
  • Three professional references/evaluations submitted via PhORCAS
  • Curriculum vitae
• If selected, an on-site interview is required for Phase I of the Match. If necessary, an online interview (e.g., Skype) is required for Phase II (i.e., scramble) of the Match.

The HCA Florida Brandon Hospital PGY2 Pediatric Residency Program participates in the ASHP Resident Matching program. The residency program participates in the ASHP residency showcase as the primary recruiting forum and uses the online admissions management software platform, PhORCAS to support the residency recruiting process. The deadline for receipt of application materials is the first Friday of January.

The following are examples of items considered during the selection process:

• Professional competence based on clinical APPE rotations and PGY-1 Residency year, as well as work, presentation, research, biomedical writing/publishing and practical experience
• Collegiate achievements
• Communication skills represented in the letter of intent, professional references, APPE, academic and interview performance
• Leadership potential as indicated by the nature and extent of participation in professional societies, community or public services and social activities
• Ability to work cooperatively with others

• Prepare a P&T monograph for a pediatric-related topic
• Complete Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) training
• Design and present a poster at the PPAG Annual Meeting and ASHP Midyear
• A medication utilization evaluation (MUE) on a topic or drug pertinent to pediatrics
• Minimum of three journal clubs and three patient case presentations on pediatric related topics
• Develop a proposal for a new pediatric pharmacy-related service
• In-services on therapeutic controversy within pediatrics (to Nursing, Physicians and Pharmacy Staff)
• Assist in precepting pharmacy students while on APPE Pediatric rotation
• Complete a pediatric related research project suitable for publication

Core required rotations includes the following:

• Orientation (one month)
• General Pediatrics (one month)
• Advanced General Pediatrics (one month)
• Pediatric Critical Care (one month)
• Pediatric Infectious Disease (one month)
• Medication Safety (6 weeks)
• Neonatal ICU (two months)
• Research (one month)
• Administration (longitudinal)
• Staffing (longitudinal)

Elective concentrated rotations may include but is not limited to the following (two, one-month rotations):

• Emergency Medicine
• Academia
• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Informational technology

Detailed information about salary, benefits and amenities will be provided to pharmacy residents by Human Resources.

• Salary: Competitive
• Duration of appointment: One year, beginning on July 1 of the program year.
• Vacation and holiday leave: 10 days of paid time off (PTO) can be taken during rotations throughout the year with prior approval from the rotation preceptor and residency program director. Residents are required to work some holidays.
• Sick and family leave: Sick leave is deducted from PTO. Residents are expected to notify co-workers and their respective preceptor or supervisor as early as possible when illness requires absence.
• Educational and professional leave: Nine days are granted for paid professional leave to attend appropriate continuing education or professional programs, travel to job interviews or visit other residency sites or professional practice locations. Requests for professional leave must be submitted to the residency program director. Residents are expected to attend the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Midyear Clinical Meeting as well as the Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group (PPAG) Annual Meeting. Financial assistance is provided for travel, meals and lodging expenses for these meetings.
• Health benefits: Residents are eligible for health benefits as full-time pharmacist employees of HCA Florida Brandon Hospital.
• Liability insurance: All pharmacy residents are covered under HCA Florida Brandon Hospital’s liability insurance policy. This insurance does not cover any other professional services at facilities outside of HCA Florida Brandon Hospital.
• Office space and resources: Office space for use by pharmacy residents is provided at each site. A laptop is also available for each resident. One lab coat will be provided at no charge to each resident.
• Discounts and amenities: Residents are eligible to receive a wide variety of entertainment, health and other discounts via HCARewards.
• Parking: Pharmacy residents park free in approved locations.