Frequently Asked Questions

How many residents will be admitted into the Methodist program?

• Seven PGY1 Residents at Methodist University Hospital
• Two PGY1 Residents at Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital
• One PGY1 Health System Pharmacy Management Resident
• One PGY2 Health System Pharmacy Management Resident
• One PGY2 Internal Medicine Specialty Resident
• One PGY2 Critical Care Speciality Resident
• One PGY2 Solid Organ Transplant Specialty Resident
• One PGY2 Oncology Specialty Resident

If I am interested in the PGY-1 programs at University and Germantown, will I have to apply to both institutions?

Yes. Even though this is a multi-site PGY-1 program, the selection and interview procsses are separate for these two institutions. This will count as only one program through PhORCAS.

When was the program established?

The first resident, Max D. Ray, began the program in 1964. Over the years, the program has grown from one resident per year to the current level of residents.

What types of jobs have former residents accepted upon completion of the residency program?

Former residents have accepted positions as clinical specialists, drug information specialists, and clinical/staff pharmacists. Others have pursued further training in specialty residency programs.

What kinds of clinical or specialized services does the pharmacy department provide?

Clinical services in Outpatient Anticoagulation, Cardiology, Critical Care, General Medicine, Infectious Disease, Emergency Medicine, Solid Organ Transplant, Hematology/Oncology and Palliative Care are provided. Satellite and Patient Care Area Pharmacists provide comprehensive pharmacy services to all inpatients at Methodist University Hospital, including dosing and specialized patient counseling services. 

How many clinical specialists are on staff?

University Hospital has specialists practicing in multiple areas in both inpatient and outpatient environments (Outpatient Anticoagulation, Cardiology, Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, General Medicine, Infectious Disease, Solid Organ Transplant, Medical Oncology, Malignant Hematology/Stem Cell Transplant, Internal Medicine and Nephrology).  Specialists also practice in community hospitals, as well as Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center, a tertiary care pediatric hospital associated with the program.

How is the resident's performance evaluated?

At the beginning of each rotation, the resident is provided with a list of goals and objectives for the rotation. At the end of the rotation, the resident and preceptor meet to review the resident's performance. A written report assessing the month's experience is prepared by both the resident and the preceptor as developed from ASHP's Residency Learning System (RLS). On a quarterly basis, the Director of the Residency Program provides the resident with an evaluation of their progress based upon comments from all preceptors.

Are opportunities available to teach or precept Pharm.D. students?

Residents provide a limited number of lectures at the UTHSC College of Pharmacy. Students from the colleges of pharmacy at the University of Tennessee, University of Mississippi, and Union University School of Pharmacy regularly come to Methodist for clinical rotations. Although the residents do not have primary preceptor responsibility, they often assist with the student's education. Additional opportunities may be available to residents desiring additional teaching responsibilities.

Do residents participate in research?

Residents are required to design, conduct, and evaluate a major project related to some aspect of pharmacy practice during their residency year. Other opportunities through the Investigational Drug Service may be available.

Are opportunities to provide oral presentations available?

Residents are required to present at least one clinically related formal presentation.  At least one additional formal lecture using PowerPoint will be presented to an alternative audience. Residents present the results of their major project to the preceptors before presenting at a regional residency conference. More opportunities are available at the request of the resident.

What meetings are the residents required to attend?

To broaden the residency experience, residents are requested to attend a variety of meetings throughout the year. These may be departmental meetings, administrative staff meetings, committee meetings or clinical meetings. The required meetings include:

• Weekly Topic Discussions are held with the Pharmacy Administration Staff. These meetings serve as a forum for didactic presentations of management topics, and to broaden the resident's knowledge of professional issues.
• Resident Conferences are held on weekly to biweekly. These sessions serve to provide a forum to discuss pharmacotherapy and patient monitoring to enhance the resident's learning experience and knowledge base, as well as improve teaching skills.
• Departmental or Pharmacist Meetings are held each month to inform the pharmacy staff of developments occurring hospital and system-wide.

Do residents receive support to attend professional meetings?

Support is available for the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. Other meetings may be supported at the discretion of the Director of the Department of Pharmacy and the Residency Program Director.

Is distributional practice required?

PGY1 residents currently provide approximately 48 shifts per year. The practice experience is included in the RLS evaluation process. Residents collaborate with Department leadership to determine the "best fit" for their practice function.  Staffing requirements vary for the PGY2 programs.

How many holidays and vacation days are the residents given?

Residents accumulate 23 days of "Paid Time Off" (vacation, holiday, and sick time) per year. Time off during the residency year is allowed, but efforts are made to assure that such time off does not interfere with the goals of training.  Paid Leave is also provided for meeting attendance and interviews.

Is insurance available?

Insurance coverage equivalent to that of a full-time Associate (employee) is provided to the resident for a reasonable monthly fee. Specific details may be addressed during the interview process.

What other benefits do residents of Methodist Healthcare enjoy?

Residents are strongly supported in their professional development. This includes payment of fees for licensure in the state of Tennessee and payment of membership dues for ASHP.

Does the resident have library privileges?

Residents have access to the Methodist in-house library, as well as Le Bonheur Children Medical Center.

Does the resident have photocopying privileges?

A photocopier is located in the pharmacy administrative area. Residents may make copies free of charge.

What about parking?

A parking garage is available a block from the hospital and is free to all hospital employees.

Is office space available?

The residents share an office in the pharmacy administrative area. Each resident has his/her own desk and computer/laptop.