Pharmacy Residency Program
Resident Manual
Introduction
Welcome
Organizational Charts
Texas Tech School of Pharmacy
Mission, Vision, and Goals
Expectations
Professionalism
Performance Evaluation
Disciplinary Action
Completion of Program Requirements
Print a Copy
Residency Manual in Printable Format
Benefits and Services
Benefits / Stipend
Computer Support
Drug Information Center
Holidays
Keys
Lab Coats
Library (TTUHSC)
Mail
Benefits and Services (Continued)
Malpractice Insurance
Pagers
Parking (TTUHSC-SOP)
Professional Leave
Sick Days
Vacation
Administrative Requirements
Criminal Background Check
External Employment
Preceptor Licensure
Pharmacy Licensure
Self-Governance
Resident Activities
Residency Project
Teaching Activities
Pharm.D. Student Grand Rounds
Southwestern Leadership Conference
Manuscript
Resident Meetings
Resident Discussion Series
Residency Orientation
Recruitment Efforts
Introduction
Dear Residents:
On behalf of the faculty of the School of Pharmacy, I would like to welcome you to the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. We are looking forward to your time here with us and are committed to the provision of outstanding post-graduate residency training programs. This year we have 26 residency positions in a variety of practice and specialty programs throughout Amarillo, Dallas-Fort Worth, Lubbock & Abilene.
The Residency Programs at TTUHSC School of Pharmacy are designed to produce well-rounded, independent professionals through experiences in clinical practice as well as teaching, basic clinical research, and professional activities. The primary emphasis of your residency program will be on the development of practice skills in your differentiated area. You will be delegated clinical responsibilities under the mentorship of your preceptors to develop your practice skills. You will be given teaching responsibilities to further develop your communication skills and abilities as a teacher. You will participate in ongoing scholarly activities to further develop your problem solving skills and ability interpret, generate, and disseminate knowledge within your practice area.
Program Directors will establish minimum expectations for your performance during the residency program. However, you will be encouraged to surpass these minimum expectations. You will be delegated responsibilities and will be allowed to achieve as much independence as desirable or achievable.
The year ahead of you will be a busy year, but I am confident that you will greatly benefit from the residency program. On a national basis, it is evident that the outstanding practitioners of the future will have completed post-graduate training in addition to their undergraduate degree in pharmacy. You can only benefit from the completion of a residency program. As the Vice Chair of Residency Programs, I will be available to help you reach your highest potential. I look forward to working with you and watching your development.
Sincerely,
Sara D. Brouse, Pharm.D., BCPS
Assistant Professor, Pharmacy Practice
Vice Chair of Residency Programs
Information about Texas Tech Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy
Please use the following links to browse information about the School of Pharmacy and other related information.
Overview - The School of Pharmacy
Philosophy, vision, mission, and culture
Message from the Dean
Tech's Top Ten
Expectations and Evaluation of the Residents
Professionalism
Attendance
Residents are expected to attend all functions as outlined in the residents' manual. This includes but is not limited to orientation, the resident workshop, monthly resident meetings, and ALCALDE preparation sessions. Additional attendance requirements will be outlined by the respective program director and rotation preceptors. The residents are solely responsible for their assigned service and teaching and are responsible for assuring that these commitments are met in the event of an absence. Absence requests (professional leave, vacation) must be approved by the program director 1 week prior to the requested dates. Residents are responsible for completing the appropriate paperwork for each absence. These documents are described under the Vacation and Professional Leave Sections of the Manual.
Communication
The resident is responsible for promoting good communication between the pharmacists, patients, physicians, and the school. Constructive criticism is a means of learning and is not meant to embarrass. Any conflicts which may arise between the resident and preceptor should first be handled by discussing it with one another. If resolution is not achieved, then discussing the situation with the program director is the next appropriate step.
Confidentiality
Residents will not discuss their patients with other patients, schoolmates, family members or anyone not directly related to each case. Residents will not discuss patients in front of other patients or in areas where people may overhear. Residents will not leave confidential documents (profiles, charts, prescriptions, etc.) in public places. Residents will excuse themselves from the cases of School of Pharmacy faculty, staff or students who may be patients. Residents will not look at their charts. Residents are required to complete HIPAA training and comply with all HIPAA policies as outlines by their respective practice sites. Residents understand that inappropriate conduct (e.g., breach of confidentiality) may result in disciplinary action as stated in the Resident Dismissal Policy. Residents understand that they may be required by the practice site(s) to sign an additional confidentiality statement.
Employee Badges
All personnel (including residents) are required to wear employee identification badges at all times when they are in patient care settings. Identification badges and name tags will be distributed at the beginning of the residency program.
Professional Conduct
It is the responsibility of all residents as representatives of Texas Tech Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) School of Pharmacy, the affiliated practice sites, and the profession of pharmacy to uphold the highest degree of professional conduct at all times. The resident will display an attitude of professionalism in all aspects of his/her daily practice.
Professional Dress
All residents are expected to dress in an appropriate manner whenever they are in the institution or attending any function as a representative of TTUHSC School of Pharmacy. Clean, pressed white lab coats of three-quarter length will be worn at all times in patient care areas (unless restricted by practice area). Any specific problems with dress will be privately addressed by the residency program director.
Resident Performance Evaluation
Specific evaluation of resident performance will vary between residency programs, but should follow the Resident Learning System model. Select forms for each residency program are located on the Web under Pharmacy Practice/Residencies/Evaluation Tools. Evaluation tools should include the following:
- Individualized Learning Objectives
- Baseline and Quarterly Self Assessment
- Quarterly Summative Evaluation, Part I & Part II.
- Monthly or Bi-Monthly Rotation Evaluation
- Preceptor Evaluation
- Teaching Evaluation
A copy of each quarterly assessment should be forwarded to the TTUHSC Residency Office (Sara Brouse, sara.brouse@ttuhsc.edu or fax 214-375-9366) by the 15th of the month after the evaluation has been completed. Introduction to the Resident Learning System and creation of Individualized Learning Objectives will be included in the resident workshop.
Resident Disciplinary Action
Although we do not anticipate problems occurring during a residency program, TTUHSC School of Pharmacy has adopted the following policy on handling issues such as dismissal from the program, probation, and suspension. Residents will be asked to sign the Resident Dismissal Policy at the beginning of the residency program.
Completion of Program Requirements
Upon successful completion of all requirements of the residency program, the resident will be awarded a certificate of completion. This certificate will attest that the resident has achieved competencies consistent with and in accordance with accreditation standards as set forth by ASHP and/or other accrediting bodies.
Prior to certification of completion, residents must have all major program requirements “signed off” by their residency director. A copy of the residency completion form, the resident project summary, and the IRB close-out form must be turned in to the Residency Office in order to receive the certificate. Return of pagers, keys, etc. and completion of the HR requirements will also be required prior to receiving the certificate.
Benefits and Services
Benefits / Stipend
Resident stipends are outlined in the letter of offer for each position. Benefits include 13.5 days of vacation, 10 days of professional leave, health care, and retirement benefits. Residents may receive travel compensation to be determined during the resident year.;
Computer Support TTUHSC-SOP
There are several computers in the residents' offices to be shared among the residents. There may or may not be computer access at the clinical sites. E-mail and computer access will be assigned by the Director of Computer Services (in Amarillo, Computer Services is located on the 3rd floor, Rooms 328 and 330)
Residents may purchase dial-up e-mail services (PPP Services) and Internet services from the TTUHSC Amarillo Computer Services Center. High-speed, modem services can be obtained at a price significantly less than commercial providers. Please contact the office of Information Systems at 354-5404 for information and application forms.
Drug Information Center
A variety of journals, texts, and online references are available through the Drug Information center on the Amarillo campus. The DI center is open from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm and residents will have key access to the center after hours.
Drug Information Center Staff:
Glenn Anderson, Pharm.D., Director
D'Esta Sharp, Clerical Specialist
Holidays
Holidays for TTUHSC School of Pharmacy Faculty and Staff are posted in July for each year. This schedule applies to all residents unless specific scheduling modifications are agreed upon in advance by the school and the program director for the affiliated practice site.
Keys
Residents will be assigned keys and/or access codes for after-hours access to the School of Pharmacy, including the resident's offices and drug information center. Keys will be distributed by the TTUHSC department of security, and must be returned prior to termination of employment.
Lab Coats
Each resident will be furnished one monogrammed lab coat at the beginning of the residency program. Per OSHA requirements, the School of Pharmacy will be responsible for cleaning and pressing. Lab coats can be dropped off with the unit coordinator for the pharmacy practice department at each campus for cleaning. Residents may purchase additional coats if needed.
Library – TTUHSC
Access to selected online journals, OVID databases (including MEDLINE), and MICROMEDEX are available via the TTUHSC library web page.
Amarillo: The Harrington Library is located on the 1st floor of the School of Medicine on 1400 S. Wallace. Phone: (806)354-5448
Library Hours:
- Monday - Thursday 7:30am - 11:00pm
- Friday 7:30am - 8:00pm
- Saturday 9:00am - 5:00pm
- Sunday 1:00pm - 11:00pm
Lubbock: 3601 4th Street, Lubbock, TX 79430. Phone: (806) 743-2200
Library Hours:
- Mon - Thurs: 7:30am - Midnight
- Friday 7:30am - 10:00pm
- Saturday 9:00am - 5:00pm
- Sunday 1:00pm - Midnight
Daily incoming mail will be placed in individual mailboxes within Room 203 (Amarillo), Room 1C162 (Lubbock), and Room 208 (Dallas-Fort Worth). Outgoing mail must be placed in the appropriate box in Suite 206 (Amarillo) or given to the Unit Coordinators in Lubbock (Salley Martinez) or Dallas-Fort Worth (Sue Ussery). Residents are encouraged to not have personal mail addressed to the School's address. Our addresses are:
- 1300 South Coulter, Room 206, Amarillo,TX 79106
- 3601 4th Street, Mailstop 8162, Lubbock,TX 79430
- 4500 S. Lancaster Rd., Building 7 –Room No.119A, Dallas, TX 75216
Malpractice Insurance
Residents will receive malpractice insurance during their year of residency. Insurance covers functions as a TTUHSC employee.
Pagers
Residents will be assigned pagers at the beginning of the residency program. Residents are responsible for replacement of lost/damaged pagers. Pagers must be returned prior to termination of employment.
Parking (TTUHSC-SOP)
Parking stickers are required for parking at the School of Pharmacy and other lots on the Health Sciences Center Campuses in Amarillo and Lubbock. Stickers may be purchased from TTUHSC Security:
Amarillo:1400 South Wallace on the 1st floor of the School of Medicine (next to Human Resources)
Lubbock: Lubbock: 3601 4th Street (HSC) Basement– Traffic & Parking Dept
Dallas-Fort Worth:Parking stickers may be required for affiliated practice sites
Professional Leave
Residents who are School of Pharmacy Employees are allotted 10 days of leave for professional development activities (attending conferences, interviews). A completed Resident Leave Form (including current preceptor and program director approval) must be submitted to the Residency Office with appropriate signatures 1 week prior to the leave date. It is the resident's responsibility to ensure that all practice, on-call, and teaching responsibilities are adequately covered during their expected leave.
Reimbursement:
Residents must retain all original travel receipts (flight, hotel, meals, parking, taxi, meeting registration, or other expenses) and return them to the Department of Pharmacy Practice promptly upon return from their trip in order to receive meeting reimbursement. All travel arrangements must be made through Paula Breeding in Amarillo (Room 206), Salley Martinez (Lubbock), or Sara Brouse(Dallas-Fort Worth) prior to departure.
Sick Days
The Residency Program Director AND the Residency Coordinator (Sara Brouse, sara.brouse@ttuhsc.edu) for the Department of Pharmacy Practice must be notified as soon as possible if a sick day is taken. The resident must also contact their current preceptor to make patient care arrangements. It is the responsibility of the Residency Director to make sure all teaching and patient care responsibilities are covered during this time. Upon return the resident must complete an Application for Vacation, Sick, and other Paid Leave Form.
Vacation
Residents accrue 13.5 days for vacation per year (for 1.0 FTE). A completed Application for Vacation, Sick, and other Paid Leave Form must be on file with the Department of Pharmacy Practice prior to the desired date(s) of absence. A Resident Leave Form (including current preceptor and program director approval) must be submitted to the Residency Office with appropriate signatures 1 week prior to the leave date. It is the resident's responsibility to ensure that all practice, on-call, and teaching responsibilities are adequately covered during their expected leave. Residents are discouraged from taking significant time-off during their independent precepting blocks.
Administrative Requirements
Criminal Background Check
According to TTUHSC policy, all incoming residents are required to successfully complete a criminal background check (TTUHSC Criminal Background Check Policy) prior to the start of the residency program. Residents are responsible for payment of fees associated with the background check.
External Employment Policy
The responsibilities of the resident within the Department do not coincide with the normal 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. scheduled forty-hour work week. In many instances, odd hours of coverage (i.e. weekends, evenings) are necessary to insure high quality of pharmacy services to TTUHSC and affiliated Medical Centers. Fluctuations in workload, cross-coverage, change of service, unusual service demands or patient loads, on-call, etc. may all dictate the hours of resident service.
External employment, if sought, should be carefully chosen to accommodate variation in service responsibilities to the School of Pharmacy and the resident’s practice site. Successful completion of the residency program leading to certification is a function of successful completion of all the program's requirements, which dictate the primary schedule of the resident. Practice, teaching, and service requirements take precedence over scheduling for external employment.
Pharmacy Licensure for Residents
All residents who are employees of TTUHSC must be licensed in the State of Texas. If reciprocating from another state, reciprocation should take place before July 1 of the residency year. Residents who are not licensed in Texas will not be able to practice independently. Questions regarding licensure should be addressed to the Texas State Board of Pharmacy at the following address:
Texas State Board of Pharmacy
ATTN: Pharmacist Licensing
William P. Hobby Building, Ste. 3-600
333 Guadalupe Street
Box 21
Austin, TX 78701-3942
(512) 305-8011
Preceptor Licensure for Residents
All residents who are employees of TTUHSC must obtain their Preceptor License once eligible (after 6 months of residency training). All residents will undergo Preceptor Education during the Residency Workshop in July. A copy of the Preceptor License must be kept on file at the TTUHSC Residency Office.
Resident Self-Governance
At the beginning of the residency year, residents will elect chief residents for Amarillo/Lubbock and for Dallas/Fort Worth. Responsibilities of the chief resident will include:
- participation in the Resident Advisory Committee
- leading monthly resident meetings
- meeting with the Vice Chair of Residency Programs
- coordinating the resident discussion series
- serving as spokesperson to the faculty/staff on issues that are important
- to the residents coordinating end-of-year activities
Resident Activities
In addition to the activities described in the individual residency description, residents are responsible for the following:
1) Residency Project
The resident will complete a project by the end of their residency year. This project can be either administrative or clinical. The project should be completed according to the Project Timeline. Earlier completion of project requirements is encouraged. Upon completion, the project will be summarized in written format suitable for publication. The resident is encouraged to pursue publication or presentation of the project at a national pharmacy meeting. The residency project will also be presented at the Southwestern Leadership Conference for Pharmacy Residents, Fellow, and Preceptors (ALCALDE).
Project Selection:
Residents may chose any type of research project or quality improvement program, provided that the project:
- includes generation of original data
- is suitable for publication or presentation at a national pharmacy meeting
- can reasonably be completed within the residency year.
IRB Requirements:
All residents who are TTUHSC employees must submit their respective projects for IRB approval. Residency projects with TTUSHC faculty serving as investigators must also be submitted. No project may be conducted or presented at a meeting without written approval from the Texas Tech IRB. Residents will be required to complete NIH and HIPAA training for research prior to IRB approval. Residents understand that a violation of the IRB requirement will result in disciplinary action as stated in the Resident Dismissal Policy.
Link to Resident Project Timeline
Status Reports:
Residents must complete a project "check off" sheet with appropriate signatures to ensure that all project deadlines are met.
A formal description of the resident's progress should also be included in each of his/her quarterly self assessments.
Presentation Requirements:
As a representative of TTUHSC School of Pharmacy, all external presentations and publications (including research projects and case reports) must be IRB-approved and reviewed by the Program Director prior to the presentation date. This includes all presentations of project results, interview presentations, ALCALDE presentations, and abstracts and posters for national and state meetings.
2) Teaching Activities
Resident involvement in the teaching activities of the Department fosters development and refinement of the resident's communication skills, builds confidence and promotes the effectiveness of the resident as a teacher.
Residents are appointed as Assistant Instructors in the TTUHSC School of Pharmacy. Assistant Instructors are assigned teaching responsibilities accounting for up to 25% of their time. The Chair of the Pharmacy Practice Department makes assignments. Assigned teaching responsibilities will be the first priority for Assistant Instructors.
Conflicts with practice, scholarly, or other professional opportunities shall be brought to the attention of the program director. The program director will help ensure the Assistant Instructor fulfills teaching responsibilities. Any proposed additional teaching (such as occasional lectures, group discussions, project advising, or lab instruction) in School of Pharmacy academic courses will require sequential approval of: the Program Director, Vice Chair of Residency Programs, and the Chair of Pharmacy Practice (or Regional Dean).
Teaching Activities Required of all Full Time Assistant Instructors:
- Attendance of a facilitator training workshop, preceptor training programs, and other required teaching development activities.
- Ad hoc participation in departmental or School-wide teaching development seminars (TBA).
- Precept up to 12 weeks (2 rotations) of P3/ P4 student rotations during the last 6 months of the residency program.
- Case Studies II or III: (specialty residents & some pharmacy practice residents) Case Studies emphasizes provision of pharmaceutical care to individual patients. Application of principles of pathophysiology and therapeutics to drug therapy issues through student-centered, problem-based instructional processes. Teaching format– small group facilitation. Case Studies II and III meet for 4 hours each week for 16 weeks; additional time for grading cases and care plans is needed. Residents will participate in approximately 8 weeks of the course during the fall and spring semesters.
- Other teaching assignments may vary based on the unique nature of each residency program. Residents are encouraged to become involved in other teaching opportunities, including didactic lectures.
3) Southwestern Leadership Conference
The Southwestern Leadership Conference (ALCALDE) is held in the spring of the year and is a forum where residents, fellows, and their preceptors share experiences and expertise. Each resident will make a brief presentation based on their residency project which will be evaluated by preceptors from other programs.
4) Preparation of a Manuscript Acceptable for Publication
Residents are strongly encouraged to write a least one formal "paper" acceptable for publication as a drug monograph, newsletter, journal article, etc. The nature and topic of this written work will be determined by the resident and his/her preceptor based on the resident's background, experience and goals. Note: submission of a manuscript suitable for publication is required for some residency programs prior to receipt of the residency certificate.
5) Resident Discussion Series
The Residency Discussion Series is a monthly forum where residents learn about identified topics of interest in the practice of pharmacy. Residents are expected to attend all discussion sessions that are held in conjunction with resident meetings.
The Resident Rounds Seminar Series is conducted in the fall of the residency year. Residents are expected to prepare a 45-minute formal seminar on a topic of their choice or related to their chosen research project. Residents are assigned dates for their seminar during the Residency Workshop in July and are allowed to switch with another resident for a different date as long as it is mutually agreed upon. Residents are responsible for choosing a content grader and style/presentation grader to assess their presentation skills. Residents will be provided both verbal and written constructive feedback on their seminars within a week of the seminar date. Residents may also choose to have their seminar videotaped for self-assessment of presentation skills. Refer to the Resident Rounds Policy for further information.
The BCPS Preparatory Session Series is a multi-campus resident-run discussion series conducted in the spring of the residency year. Residents spend 2 hours a week reviewing a wide variety of disease state and policy/procedure topics throughout the spring. Residents select among themselves to choose discussion leaders for the sessions, however all participating residents must prepare in advance and be ready to discuss. Residents also choose faculty or clinical pharmacist mentors for their sessions to be available to guide them through controversial or difficult content materials. Participation in the sessions is optional but encouraged. Sessions will be videotaped in the event a resident cannot participate in a session.
6) Resident Meetings
Resident will attend monthly resident meetings to discuss upcoming resident events, other issues pertaining to the residency program, and actions/recommendations made at faculty meetings, resident advisory committee meetings, etc. Resident discussion series and meetings will be scheduled concurrently. Attendance at meetings is mandatory. The chief resident and Vice Chair of Residency Programs must be notified in advance if residents are unable to attend. Residents are responsible for contacting the designated chief resident to find out what was discussed at the meeting.
7) Residency Orientation Program
A formal orientation program for all residents is scheduled for July of each year. All new residents are expected to attend a one day orientation within the first week of the residency program and a 2 day orientation workshop around the 3rd week of the residency program. Returning residents may be excused from some of the scheduled sessions. Additional sessions may be scheduled based upon practice site and School of Pharmacy vs. Affiliated status. The initial orientation is used to introduce the incoming residents to the School of Pharmacy, the Medical Center, the Departments of Pharmacy Practice, and to outline the expectations for the residency year. The 2-day workshop will include case studies discussion facilitator training, preceptor education, resident project development activities, and team building activities.
8) Recruitment Efforts of the Department
Each resident will assist with the recruitment efforts of the department. Because each resident is an important source of information and advice for potential candidates, there will generally be some scheduled time within the interview process for interviewees to interact with current residents. Additionally, residents may be asked to participate in the Residency Showcase during the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting or TSHP Annual Meeting.