Frequently asked questions
How is the resident's year organized?
The first two weeks of the residency is orientation during which the residents rotate through different areas of the hospital, learn the pharmacy's computer systems, explore potential research projects, understand medication usage evaluations (MUEs), and obtain BLS/ACLS certifications. After orientation, the residents have a foundations in direct patient care learning experience in which they are introduced to the aspects of providing optimal pharmaceutical care and managing patients clinically. Learning experiences are based on calendar months throughout the residency year.
What transcripts are required when applying?
The applicant should refer to the program specific requirements under eligibility and application.
How much do the residents staff?
Residents staff every third weekend throughout the year, primarily as a clinical pharmacist, and one 4-hour evening shift every two weeks. Additionally, each resident will progress into taking on-call responsibilities. The on-call consists of the resident assisting in resolving clinical issues mainly by phone or computer. Remote access to Houston Methodist as well as drug information references are made available to the resident. Overnight shifts are not required. Residents will be scheduled to work at least one major and one minor holiday.
How flexible is the program with electives?
During the residency, some residents discover new areas of interest. The program is very flexible in adapting the residency experience to accommodate the resident's interests and goals. Elective rotations are available off-site if the desired experience is not available at Houston Methodist Hospital. Residents in the past have successfully completed rotations at Memorial Hermann Hospital, Ben Taub General Hospital, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, CHI Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, and Harris County Psychiatric Center.
How are the residents evaluated?
The resident is provided with a list of goals and objectives for each learning experience. The preceptor provides frequent verbal feedback and completes a midpoint and final evaluation of the resident. 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 the resident required to do oral presentations?
On each monthly learning experience, residents are required to do a formal and/or informal presentations to pharmacy staff, nursing staff, and/or medical staff. Other presentations may be required as determined by the preceptor, physicians, or nursing staff. Each resident will also present a minimum one-hour ACPE-accredited continuing education program during the year. Additional opportunities to present include University of Houston College of Pharmacy lectures, departmental journal clubs, P&T meetings, medication safety meetings among others.
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 Program 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 Match.
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, University of Houston, Texas Southern University, Texas A&M, the Lebanese American University, and University of The Incarnate Word. 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 Houston Methodist and University of Houston College of Pharmacy affiliation for residents interested in such a training experience.
Do residents receive support to attend professional meetings?
Support is available for required meetings such as ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and Midwest Pharmacy Residents Conference. Support to attend additional meetings is 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, room 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, directors of pharmacy, residency program directors, local pharmacy chapter officers, and other successful leadership positions.
What is the average cost for housing in Houston?
You should expect to pay $1500+/month 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.
The first two weeks of the residency is orientation during which the residents rotate through different areas of the hospital, learn the pharmacy's computer systems, explore potential research projects, understand medication usage evaluations (MUEs), and obtain BLS/ACLS certifications. After orientation, the residents have a foundations in direct patient care learning experience in which they are introduced to the aspects of providing optimal pharmaceutical care and managing patients clinically. Learning experiences are based on calendar months throughout the residency year.
What transcripts are required when applying?
The applicant should refer to the program specific requirements under eligibility and application.
How much do the residents staff?
Residents staff every third weekend throughout the year, primarily as a clinical pharmacist, and one 4-hour evening shift every two weeks. Additionally, each resident will progress into taking on-call responsibilities. The on-call consists of the resident assisting in resolving clinical issues mainly by phone or computer. Remote access to Houston Methodist as well as drug information references are made available to the resident. Overnight shifts are not required. Residents will be scheduled to work at least one major and one minor holiday.
How flexible is the program with electives?
During the residency, some residents discover new areas of interest. The program is very flexible in adapting the residency experience to accommodate the resident's interests and goals. Elective rotations are available off-site if the desired experience is not available at Houston Methodist Hospital. Residents in the past have successfully completed rotations at Memorial Hermann Hospital, Ben Taub General Hospital, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, CHI Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, and Harris County Psychiatric Center.
How are the residents evaluated?
The resident is provided with a list of goals and objectives for each learning experience. The preceptor provides frequent verbal feedback and completes a midpoint and final evaluation of the resident. 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 the resident required to do oral presentations?
On each monthly learning experience, residents are required to do a formal and/or informal presentations to pharmacy staff, nursing staff, and/or medical staff. Other presentations may be required as determined by the preceptor, physicians, or nursing staff. Each resident will also present a minimum one-hour ACPE-accredited continuing education program during the year. Additional opportunities to present include University of Houston College of Pharmacy lectures, departmental journal clubs, P&T meetings, medication safety meetings among others.
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 Program 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 Match.
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, University of Houston, Texas Southern University, Texas A&M, the Lebanese American University, and University of The Incarnate Word. 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 Houston Methodist and University of Houston College of Pharmacy affiliation for residents interested in such a training experience.
Do residents receive support to attend professional meetings?
Support is available for required meetings such as ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and Midwest Pharmacy Residents Conference. Support to attend additional meetings is 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, room 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, directors of pharmacy, residency program directors, local pharmacy chapter officers, and other successful leadership positions.
What is the average cost for housing in Houston?
You should expect to pay $1500+/month 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.