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Community-Based Pharmacy Residency Programs (CPRPs) for interested candidates

A Community-based Pharmacy Residency Program (CPRP) is an advanced training opportunity in which a postgraduate pharmacist is mentored by cutting-edge pharmacists in community-based pharmacy settings. This gives the resident an opportunity to participate in direct patient care and hone patient care skills.

CPRPs offer educational opportunities for pharmacists seeking advanced training to provide a range of direct patient care services such as disease state management (e.g., treatment of hypertension, diabetes, asthma, etc.), medication therapy management (MTM—e.g., comprehensive medication reviews and targeted medication reviews), and wellness services. Residents can also participate in collaborative and integrative team-based care models.

PGY-1 community-based pharmacy residency programs are designed to foster innovative ideas and teach residents the skills to develop and implement the ideas into clinical practice. In addition to teaching you how to develop, implement, and evaluate patient care services, CPRPs prepare you to become a leader and innovator in community-based pharmacy practice settings.

CPRPs are based in various community-based settings. Residency sites are in almost every state in both urban and rural areas, with a variety of patient populations, diversities, and disease states. Various models are used for the operation of PGY-1 CPRPs, including

  • Partnerships between schools/colleges and community-based pharmacy practice sites
  • Independent programs run by community pharmacies, chain corporations, or health systems in outpatient pharmacies/clinics
  • Independent programs run by schools/colleges with their own pharmacies or clinics

Check out the residency directory, then specify the category as “PGY1” and the sub-category a “Community-based Pharmacy” to see where these programs are across the country.

By clicking the questions below, interested candidates can learn more about CPRPs and important steps to determine if this residency opportunity is aligned with their professional goals.

Community-based settings refer to locations where direct patient care is delivered outside of the inpatient health-system setting. Examples include

  • Chain and independent pharmacies
  • Ambulatory care (physician- or other provider-based) clinics
  • Hospital-based outpatient clinics and pharmacies
  • Specialty pharmacies
  • Federally-qualified health centers (FQHC)
  • Patient-centered medical homes (PCMH)
  • Telehealth/remote monitoring services
  • Free clinics

As a CPRP resident, you will

  • Participate in direct patient care
  • Develop or enhance a patient care service
  • Collaborate with other health care providers
  • Gain experience in marketing, compensation, and management
  • Focus on leadership and community services
  • Teach practitioners, students, and other health care providers
  • Complete a project for presentation/publication
  • Gain valuable networking opportunities
  • Potential participation in elective opportunities

A PGY-1 CPRP encompasses 4 competency areas:

  1. Patient Care
    1. Medication therapy management (MTM)
    2. Chronic disease management
    3. Transitions of care
    4. Health & wellness (immunizations and screenings)
    5. Patient-centered dispensing
  2. Advancing Community-based Practice
    1. Business plan for new or enhanced service (development, implementation, evaluation)
    2. Quality improvement
  3. Leadership & Management
    1. Leadership (professional organizations, community associations, advocacy)
    2. Management (pharmacy in patient-centered dispensing, patient care services)
  4. Teaching, Education, and Dissemination of Knowledge
    1. Teaching/Education (Student pharmacists, patients, other health care providers, teaching certificate program)
    2. Dissemination of Knowledge (Residency research project)

Past CPRP graduates have found positions in

  • Academia
  • Ambulatory Care Pharmacist
  • Community Patient Care Pharmacist
  • Community Pharmacist Manager
  • Corporate Pharmacy Administrator
  • Corporate Pharmacy Trainer
  • District Pharmacy Manager
  • Hospital Clinical Pharmacist
  • Independent Pharmacy Owner
  • Medical Safety Officer
  • Patient Care Service Manager
  • PGY-2 Ambulatory Care Residency
  • Residency Program Director
  • Specialty Clinical Pharmacist
  • Transitions of Care Pharmacist

CPRPs are available to graduating PharmD candidates or practicing pharmacists looking to develop skills for an advanced level of pharmacy practice via mentored guidance from an experienced preceptor.

They last 12 months and usually begin annually in July.

It varies. Applications are usually due in January of the year the residency starts. Gather information and make contacts early, even if you are thinking about it in 1 or 2 years.

Yes. CPRPs are accredited through a joint partnership between APhA and ASHP as a Postgraduate Year One (PGY1) Community-Based Pharmacy Residency Program.

Applicants to accredited programs are required to participate in the ASHP Resident Matching Program.

  • Check out the residency directory, then specify the category as "PGY1" and the sub-category a "Community-based Pharmacy" to see where these programs are across the country.
  • Research program materials available online to familiarize yourself with the program.
  • Consider ways to connect with current residents, residency preceptors working with the residents, or even the residency program director. You may be able to connect through your professional network or there are several residency showcases held throughout the year where you can meet with these individuals and learn more.
  • Visit APhA's Pharmacy Library to read The Pharmacy Professionals Guide to Résumés, CVs, and Interviewing. You can href="https://ebusiness.pharmacist.com/PersonifyEbusiness/Shop-APhA/Product-Details/productId/199429310" target="_blank" >purchase the book to access step-by-step instructions on creating your résumé, CV, and cover letters and preparing for the interview.
  • Get involved with APhA's Academy of Student Pharmacists to build your leadership skills.

Here are some helpful questions sorted by topic that you may consider asking as you evaluate potential CPRPs.

Accreditation

  • Is your program accredited by APhA and ASHP?

Application process

  • What are some unique features of your program?
  • What have some of your residents done after completing their residency in your program?
  • What are the components of your application?
  • When do you typically start interviewing residency candidates?
  • How many residents do you accept each year?

Living as a resident

  • Can you tell me about the town/city/state where your program is offered (cost of living, available public transportation, driving conditions, etc.)?
  • What is a typical week like for one of your residents?

Program features and requirements

  • What are the requirements that residents must complete during their residency year?
  • Is your program affiliated with a school of pharmacy?
    • Are there teaching opportunities?
  • How many practice sites does your residency program have?
    • What type of patients does each practice site serve?
    • What types of patient care services does each practice site have?
  • Will I get a chance to participate in elective rotations during my residency?
  • What type of research opportunities have your residents had?
  • Does your program offer travel expenses for attending professional meetings?
  • Will I have other residents to work with throughout the year?
  • What are the staffing requirements of your residency program?
  • Will I be allowed to hold a second job at night and/or on weekends?
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