A. Recently,
we have had about 40 applicants/year; and have offered interviews
to up to 20 people. We are currently accepting two candidates.
Q. Do
you prefer in-state applicants or those who have had a rotation at
MGH?
A. We
welcome eligible applicants from around the world. We do not have
any preference toward in-state applicants or previous students who
may have had a rotation with us.
Q. What
are the staffing requirements?
A. The
residents staff one shift per week alongside other pharmacists.
Q. What
teaching opportunities do the residents have?
A. MGH
pharmacists work in collaboration with Northeastern University and
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy to precept pharmacy students throughout
the year. Some pharmacists are adjunct or part-time faculty at these
institutions, where the residents may take part in lectures, discussions,
or seminars. Also, residents will be able to present various in-services
and CE programs to medical teams, nursing, and pharmacy throughout
the year.
Q. What
types of presentations are required?
A. Residents
have presented 4 journal clubs and 4 CE programs throughout the year. Similar activities are planned. Additional assignments may be given based on various rotations
and preceptors.
Q. What
is a "project"?
A. A project
is a long-term investigation the resident chooses based on his/her
interests. The project may involve research, exposure to different areas
of pharmacy, and working with different disciplines within the hospital
and within our larger hospital network. Residents may present their
projects at Midyear and the Eastern States Residency Conference. Some
examples of projects are listed below:
Margaret Jorgenson (2007-2008) An examination of quetiapine prescribing practices on general medicine units in a large teaching hospital
Tara McCabe (2007-2008) An observational study assessing clinicians' knowledge of the high-risk/high-alert medication program at a large academic medical center
Katherine Skillman (2006-2007) Evaluation of adherence to antifungal guidelines for fluconazole-sensitive isolates in a large teaching institution
Katie Lafleur (2006-2007) Tailored Learning: Considering pharmacist learning styles while developing educational programs
Ellen Diedrichsen (2005-2006) Medication Reconciliation
Petra Khoury (2005-2006) Adherence to adult treatment panel III guideline recommendations in diabetic inpatients
Niamh
Higgins (2004-2005) Medication reconciliation: Bridging the interface
gap to reduce medication errors
Laura
Carr (2004-2005) Assessing and improving pharmacy staff perceptions
and knowledge of pain management
Yvonne
Czyz (2003-2004) Retrospective review of argatroban dosing in post-cardiac
bypass surgery patients
Bob Maloney
(2003-2004) A CQI project bringing to light short stability IV issues
Sami Ahmed
(2002-2003) Providing cost-effective medications to the MGH indigent
population
Carla
Bouwmeester (2002-2003) Documenting patients' herbal use and resources
used to answer questions
Trisha
Ford (2001-2002) - High Alert Medications: Insulin Safety Initiative
Lisa Moran
(2001-2002) - Pharmacy Consultation Service
Mike Murno
(2000-2001) - Implementing a pharmacist intervention to improve antibiotic
utilization
Nancy
Balch (1999-2000) - Program Manager for the MGH flu shot committee
Q. What
is the salary?
A. A
resident's stipend is $42,000.
Q. What
are the benefits?
A. As
MGH employees, residents will accumulate earned time throughout the
year that will add up to 29 days: included are 9 MGH - recognized
holidays. Other optional hospital benefits may include: healthcare,
dental coverage, vision coverage, reduced price health club memberships,
and reduced price train/subway passes. Some optional pharmacy-specific
benefits may include free CE-credit programs and Massachusetts
Society of Health-System Pharmacists membership.
Q. What
resources are available for residents to attend professional meetings?
A. Financial
support includes coverage for residents to attend the ASHP Midyear
Meeting, the Eastern States Residency Conference, and other professional
meetings as determined by the Residency Director/Pharmacy Director.
Q. Do
residents have library privileges?
A. MGH
has its own extensive medical library. Library privileges are also
available at the Countway Library of the Harvard Medical School. Residents
have access to many on-line resources, including a large variety of
journals.
Q. Do
residents have any work space?
A. Residents
will share a workroom with a few other pharmacists. The workroom includes
a computer and printer. Also, storage space is provided for the resident
in the area.
Q. Do
residents have parking privileges?
A. Parking
is very limited, but public transportation (the MBTA) is an excellent
and reliable option. There are several parking options available to
the residents at an additional cost. Some residency activities may
require access to a car.
Q. How
is the Pharmacy Department perceived by other departments at MGH?
A. The
Pharmacy Department is well respected by physicians, nurses, and other
members of the health care team, who regularly rely on pharmacists'
collaboration regarding patient therapies. The pharmacist's input
is regularly sought for pathway development, operations improvement,
and other interdisciplinary programs.
