FAQ

How are the residents selected?
Resident selection involves an application process and an onsite interview. Application, college of pharmacy transcripts and letters of recommendation must be received prior to scheduling interviews. All application materials must be submitted through PhORCAS. Onsite interviews are held in January and February of each year. As an ASHP-accredited program, participation in the Resident Match Program is mandatory.

How is the resident's year organized?
The first month of the residency involves orientation during which the resident will spend time training in various satellites, learn the pharmacy's computer systems and technology, become BLS and ACLS certified (if not already), explore potential research projects and quality improvement initiatives and identify an ACPE accredited program topic. Clinical rotations are based on calendar months and may be 1-2 months in duration.

Residents do not have a traditional rotation in December. This month is designed for the resident to attend the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and to work on their research projects.

What is the staffing requirement?
The resident will provide weekend clinical pharmacy coverage every three weeks and one weekday evening shift every two weeks averaged over a four week period. This coverage will consist of similar activities carried out through the weekdays, including: IV-to-PO transitions of antibiotics, anticoagulation management, pharmacokinetics consults, culture/susceptibility/therapy mismatch issues, and decision support to clinical staff.

How are the residents evaluated?
Regular verbal and written feedback is provided to the resident throughout each rotation and during the year. The resident is provided with a list of goals and objectives for each rotation and completes a self-evaluation on these at the end of each rotation. The preceptor completes a final evaluation of the resident during the rotation as well. The evaluation forms are developed from ASHP's Residency Learning System (RLS) using the ASHP online "PharmAcademic" system. On a quarterly basis, the Residency Program Director provides the resident with an evaluation of his or her progress. The objective of the frequent evaluations is to provide constructive feedback to the resident on their progress to maximize the opportunity for learning.

Is there an opportunity as one of Methodist's PGY1 residents to early commit to one of the PGY2 programs?
Each PGY2 program offers the opportunity for early commitment. The resident must communicate this intention to the respective residency program director (RPD) and submit their written letter of intent in person by October 31st. Pursuant to the receipt of the application, the RPD will conduct an interview of the candidate and follow ASHP Residency Matching guidelines. Candidates not choosing to early commit or those who are not offered early commitment by the PGY2 program may still apply to the PGY2 program but are required to participate in the ASHP Residency Matching Process.

What teaching opportunities are available?
Houston Methodist Hospital is a major clinical teaching site for students from the Colleges of Pharmacy at the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Houston, Texas Southern University, Texas A&M University, Lebanese American University, and University of The Incarnate Word. The residents have opportunities to assist in the teaching of students from multiple disciplines including pharmacy, medicine, nursing, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners. Opportunities for didactic teaching exist in the local colleges of pharmacy. A teaching certificate program is offered as part of the HMH and University of Houston College of Pharmacy affiliation for residents interested in such a training experience.

Are all of the residents from Texas or Texas colleges of pharmacy?
No, Houston Methodist Hospital considers all residency applicants and strives to obtain diversity in the educational backgrounds of the residents.

Do residents receive support to attend professional meetings?
Support is available for required meetings such as ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and the Midwest Pharmacy Residents Conference. The PGY2 residency programs have specialty meetings in which support is provided for their resident(s) to attend. Additional meetings are determined on an individual basis.

Do residents have library privileges?
Residents have access to The Houston Methodist Library (located on the first floor of the Main Building M155) as well as many electronic resources including over 12,000 journals, 3,000 e-books and 40 subscription databases and applications. A few of the popular databases are: Micromedex, Clinical Pharmacology, Lexi-Comp, Natural Medicine, Dynamed, Clinical Key and Up-To-Date, which are available from the hospital,  as well as remotely through an application or the hospital’s VPN.

What types of positions have former residents accepted?
Our residency programs produce highly skilled pharmacists capable of many different types of positions when they graduate. Several of our residency graduates have attained a diversity of positions including clinical specialists, PGY2 residency positions, academic faculty, fellowships and pharmacy management. Previous residents have included a former ASHP President, residency program directors, director of pharmacy, local pharmacy chapter officers, and other successful leadership positions.

What is the average cost for housing in Houston?
You should expect to pay $1500 per month or more for a one or two bedroom apartment if you live in the Texas Medical Center area. Housing in outlying areas is less expensive but results in longer commute times. Most residents choose to live closer to the hospital.

What is there to do in Houston?
Houston is the fourth largest city in the nation and as such has an abundance of recreational opportunities. Evenings out can include professional sporting events such as the Houston Texans, Houston Astros, Houston Rockets, Houston Dynamo, or Houston Dash games. Houston’s music and art scene includes: Houston Grand Opera, Houston Ballet, Houston Symphony, and Broadway at the Hobby Center. Discount tickets to some of these venues/events may be found on YouDecide.