Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital offers a postgraduate year 1 (PGY1) pharmacy program that is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). The PGY1 program is designed to build on the skills learned during pharmacy school to better prepare pharmacists for practice in a collaborative and dynamic health-system environment. The pharmacy resident will actively participate in:

• Direct patient care
• Pharmacy operations
• Pharmacy administration and improvement
• Community outreach learning experiences

Residents will complete a teaching and learning certificate program and will be involved in the precepting of pharmacy students, where applicable. Elective rotations may include direct patient care experiences and/or operating room/surgery.

The PGY1 residency program is designed to augment the resident’s knowledge base while developing and sharpening their critical thinking and leadership skills, in addition to their confidence and independence, so that they may become an effective practitioner and leader in pharmacy practice. Residents will be integrated into daily nursing care reports where applicable and will work closely with physicians and other healthcare professionals.

Residents will be guided throughout their journey by preceptors, not only during the learning experience but during completion of required projects. Pharmacy residents will gain experience via completion of a research project, submission of a poster to the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting, or similar conference, and manuscript preparation, among other projects.

The ultimate goal of our PGY1 residency program is to develop independent, critical thinkers who will be effective clinicians in a variety of practice settings, be eligible for board certification and be eligible for PGY2 pharmacy residency training.

About the Pharmacy

The Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital Pharmacy’s mission is to participate as a member of the healthcare team to ensure safe and effective medication distribution, medication therapy management, and medication education to patients, caregivers and healthcare professionals at Palos Hospital.

The 400,000-square-foot pharmacy includes a perpetual inventory system, automated and unit-dose drug distribution systems, and USP-compliant clean room systems. The department provides comprehensive services 24/7 staffed by centralized and decentralized pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Decentralized functions include clinical services for inpatient units, including pharmacokinetic, renal, parenteral nutrition and warfarin dosing, and clinical and operational functions in the operating room satellite pharmacy.

Benefits and Travel

Benefits

• Annual stipend: $52,000/year
• Paid time off
• Group dental, health and vision plans
• Life insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Free covered parking

Conference and meeting attendance

• ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting
• Pharmacy resident conference
• Residency showcases at the local level

Travel reimbursement

• Meeting registration
• Possible travel stipend

Application Process

Eligible candidates must have or will have earned a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree or equivalent from an accredited college of pharmacy, be eligible to work in the United States, and be licensed by the Illinois Board of Pharmacy by July 31. Applications are received using the PhORCAS application system.

Required application materials

• Completed PhORCAS application
• Letter of intent
• Curriculum vitae
• Official transcripts for pharmacy education
• Three letters of recommendation

Important dates

• Application deadline: January 3
• Interviews: January/February

For additional information, please contact:

Kevin Bajer, PharmD, BCPS
Clinical Coordinator, Pharmacy
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program Director
Kevin.Bajer@nm.org
708.923.4191

Northwestern Medicine Palos Hospital
Department of Pharmacy
12251 South 80th Avenue
Palos Heights, Illinois 60463