The ASHP New Practitioners Forum recognizes that the best advice comes from those who have been there, done that. These tips are offered by your colleagues as a guide to help you get the most out of your residency experience.
If you have a tip you would like to share, please submit it to us. Good luck and best wishes for a great residency experience!
Tip 1
Identifying a problem is only the first part of a two part process. Learn not only to identify problems, but also to develop and suggest solutions to the problem. Never approach administrators, preceptors, or patients with only problems. You will gain more respect and develop into a successful practitioner the more you look into the solution rather than only identifying the problem. Problem resolution is a two-step process.
John Hertig
Health-System Pharmacy Administration Resident
The Ohio State University Medical Center
Tip 2
Get to know and understand the entire hospital infrastructure and avoid the temptation to just focus on pharmacy. Understanding the role everyone plays in caring for patients will provide you a greater understanding on how to successfully interface with them to successfully provide patient care. One way to actively engage in this type of activity is to shadow a nurse for a day.
David R. Witmer
Vice President, Member Relations
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
Tip 3
Pay attention to yourself – what you do / don't find most rewarding about your residency – and speak up! No matter how far along you are in your program, try to tailoring it so that you can maximize the things you love. Is it oncology? Then do another oncology rotation. Love project management? Try taking on more management work. Love collaborative teamwork? Try joining more committees. Remember, a big part of your residency is figuring out what you excel at – so spend the time figuring out what that is, and then pursue it.
Michelle Abalos, Pharm.D.
Director, Educational Programs
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
Tip 4
Although you may be a clinically-oriented pharmacist, take the time to pay attention to administrative / management issues. It's good to talk-the-talk. Learn how to justify your services.
Sandra Oh Clarke
Director, Section of Clinical Specialists and Scientists
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
Tip 5
Don't be afraid to ask questions and question those around you - think critically!
Joshua Howell
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy
The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Tip 6
Think of residency as a one to two-year interview. Don’t forget you are being evaluated for a future job.
Majid Tanas
Operations Manager for Ambulatory Pharmacy Services
Oregon Health & Science University
Tip 7
Be the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of your career, which means taking responsibility and being in charge of ensuring how it plays out. Have a Board of Directors (BOD) of mentors who will assist you. You must have at least one mentor if you want to be successful.
Sara White
Pharmacy Leadership Coach
Tip 8
Be on time. Be prepared for topic discussions and take accountability for your own learning.
Joshua Howell
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy
The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Tip 9
Do NOT burn your bridges. No matter who wronged you. Hospital pharmacy is a very small world, and you never know who is talking to whom. Don't risk your good reputation for ANYTHING. It may be the difference between getting that perfect position 5 years from now.
Michelle Abalos, Pharm.D.
Director, Educational Programs
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
Tip 10
Pay attention to "Who's Who" in pharmacy.
Sandra Oh Clarke
Director, Section of Clinical Specialists and Scientists
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
Tip 11
Take advantage of leadership opportunities when they come up.
Joshua Howell
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy
The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Tip 12
Residency will provide for you only what you give to it. Thus, make sure you give it 100%.
Majid Tanas
Operations Manager for Ambulatory Pharmacy Services
Oregon Health & Science University
Tip 13
Set a good example when working with other healthcare professionals.
Joshua Howell
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy
The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Tip 14
Do everything you are assigned / tasked to do 110%. You may be in the middle of a rotation that isn't exactly your favorite practice area, but you will never know exactly what your potential is in that area unless you do it with your whole heart and mind engaged. And not only that, you never know where your next job offer may come from -- the more you impress your colleagues by doing a thorough job (and doing it with enthusiasm), the more likely they will be to want to work with you in the future.
Michelle Abalos, Pharm.D.
Director, Educational Programs
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
Tip 15
Pharmacy is a small world and word travels fast. Take the time to mature as you go through your program.
Majid Tanas
Operations Manager for Ambulatory Pharmacy Services
Oregon Health & Science University
Tip 16
When you are looking for a job outside the organization, remember to use you preceptors as a network.
Majid Tanas
Operations Manager for Ambulatory Pharmacy Services
Oregon Health & Science University
Tip 17
Listen to the words and wisdom of those before you.
Joshua Howell
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist - Stem Cell Transplant and Cellular Therapy
The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Tip 18
Communicate clearly and often. When a task is assigned to you, ask for a deadline date. If you see that you cannot meet the deadline, communicate with the preceptor earlier than the deadline date. Your communication will reveal that you are mature enough to notice that you will not meet the deadline and that you are taking responsibility for it.
Zahra Khudeira, Pharm.D.
Medication Safety Manager
Sinai Health System
Tip 19
Stay on top of your topics. Also stay ahead of projects and do not get behind. It is easy to take due dates for granted.
Robin Wackernah, Pharm.D.
University of Southern California