What are the application deadlines for residency programs?
The general hospital, oncology and primary care residency programs follow the CSHP national matching process dates. For current deadlines please refer to the Canadian Pharmacy Residency Board (CSHP) website.
The HIV Pharmacy Specialty Residency application deadlines can be found on the Immunodeficiency Clinic website.
What are the typical start dates for your residents?
The general hospital, oncology and primary care residency programs start at the beginning of September each year. Start date for the HIV program is flexible but is typically also the beginning of September. Once residents are confirmed, the coordinator will discuss start dates with the successful candidates.
What are the highlights of your residency programs?
The general hospital residency offers a wide variety of clinical rotations, including specialty clinical rotations in solid organ transplantation, oncology (solid tumour, hematology and bone marrow transplant), neurovascular, stroke, cardiology, antimicrobial stewardship, ambulatory HIV Clinic, critical care, dialysis and general medicine. The program also exposes residents to hospital leadership, integrated clinical-distributive pharmacy practice, drug information services and ambulatory practice sites. Residents must complete a major project during the residency year. Residents rotate through all four sites of the University Health Network (Toronto General, Toronto Western, Princess Margaret and Toronto Rehab) based on the rotations assigned and electives chosen.
The oncology residency program is designed to prepare graduates for successful careers as independent practitioners of pharmaceutical care in an oncology setting. The program offers a wide variety of clinical rotations in malignant hematology/oncology including specialty clinical rotations in allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, autologous stem cell transplantation, solid tumor, palliative care, malignant hematology, investigational pharmacy services, and antibiotic stewardship, as well as foundational training in general internal medicine. Residents may also choose one of the electives from the general hospital program list. This program also exposes residents to hospital administration, integrated clinical-distributive pharmacy practice sites, and drug information services. Residents must complete a major project during the residency year in the area of oncology. Residents are primarily rotating in different areas at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, with some elective rotations at the other three sites of the University Health Network.
The primary care residency program is based at the Toronto Western academic Family Health Team, University Health Network, and provides the resident with experience in a variety of ambulatory care settings. This program is designed to prepare graduates for successful careers as independent practitioners to deliver collaborative patient-focused care in an ambulatory care setting. The resident will have the opportunity to lead a research project with a primary care focus. Opportunities to enhance presentation and communication skills, become involved with teaching, research and other scholarly activities will be available.
What do you look for in potential residents?
There is no single strength or trait that we look for in residents. Candidates are assessed as a whole, and are ranked based on who we believe would be the best fit for our organization and for the specific residency program. There are particular values that we consider desirable, but how potential residents express these values can differ.
What are the required rotations? Elective rotations?
These differ based on the type of residency. Program outlines indicate the required and elective rotations. Given the many programs and sites located within UHN, we are fortunate to be able to provide many elective options in a variety of unique clinical areas, in both inpatient and ambulatory settings.
What is the process by which residents select their elective rotations?
Once incoming residents are matched, we hold a "resident elective day" which occurs before the start date. Residents get the chance to meet preceptors for elective rotations and to hear about the various options. Also, there is an opportunity to speak with current residents about their chosen electives and to hear about their experience.
How are residency preceptors selected?
Residency preceptors are selected based on their clinical experience, teaching experience, and availability. Residency preceptors have a strong track record of education, and have often also taught pharmacy students of varying levels (EPE, APPE) in the past.
Are there opportunities for education/conference leave?
Residents attend the Ontario Pharmacy resident's conference in September (organized by HPRFO) and the CSHP Professional Practice Conference in Toronto in February. There may be an option to attend another conference at the discretion of the Residency Coordinator/Director(s).
What are some examples of past residents' projects?
Pharmacy residents complete projects on a diverse range of topics:
Are residents encouraged to publish their residency project?
Absolutely! Residents are encouraged to present their research findings at conferences and to publish their residency projects in peer reviewed journals. Many former residency projects have been published.
Do you encourage applicants to speak to current or past residents or other staff members?
Interested candidates are invited to attend our Open House to learn more about the residency programs and to have the opportunity to speak with current residents, residency coordinators, and potential preceptors. The Open House is hosted in the fall prior to the application deadline.
Could I arrange a tour of UHN or shadow a particular pharmacist to learn more?
Individual tours or shadowing are not permitted. Interested individuals are invited to attend our Open House event (see above).
Do you have to complete a general residency before applying for oncology, primary care, or HIV residencies?
The general hospital, oncology, and primary care residencies are Year 1 programs and designed for new graduates to build upon knowledge and skills gained from a professional pharmacy degree program. These programs develop self-directed practitioners with advanced skills in the practice of pharmaceutical care for patients with a broad range of disease states.
The HIV residency program is an advance practice Year 2 program and applicants must have completed a Pharmacy degree (BScPhm, MScPhm or PharmD) plus a CHPRB accredited general residency program or equivalent.
Do residents have the opportunity to work as pharmacists on evenings/weekends?
Residents in the General Hospital program have the option to work evenings and weekends. The primary care and oncology residents can discuss opportunities once their program begins.
What is the stipend?
The estimated stipend is $35,000 per annum.
Do residents receive benefits or vacation time?
Benefits are not applicable to temporary full time staff. Residents may take 2 weeks of vacation.
Who can I contact if I have a question that is not addressed on the UHN website?
General Hospital, Oncology and Primary Care Residency:
Cindy Natsheh
Email:cindy.natsheh@uhn.ca
HIV Residency:
Alice Tseng
Email:
alice.tseng@uhn.ca
