Atrius Health

Postgraduate Year 1 Residency Program

The residency was established in 1991. It is the first program of its kind to be accredited under the current standard of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) for pharmacy residencies with an emphasis on managed care. The program has also incorporated the ASHP residency learning system (RLS) as part of the program. From its inception, the residency has been affiliated with Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS), the second oldest university of pharmacy in the United States and a leader in career preparation in pharmacy practice, nursing, nuclear medicine, and other allied health professions.

Atrius Health, an innovative healthcare leader, delivers an effective system of connected care for adult and pediatric patients at more than 20 medical practice locations in eastern Massachusetts. Atrius Health's physicians and primary care providers, along with additional clinicians, work in close collaboration with hospital partners, community specialists and skilled nursing. Our vision is to transform care to improve lives. Atrius Health provides high-quality, patient-centered, coordinated, cost effective care to every patient we serve. By establishing a solid foundation of shared decision making, understanding and trust with each of its patients, Atrius Health enhances their health and enriches their lives. Atrius Health is part of Optum, a health services company focused on building the leading value-based care system in the country.

Purpose Statement

PGY1 pharmacy residency programs builds on Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) education and outcomes to contribute to the development of clinical pharmacists responsible for medication-related care of patients with a wide range of conditions, eligible for board certification, and eligible for postgraduate year two (PGY2) pharmacy residency training.

Program Description

The MCPHS/Atrius Health Residency is an ASHP-accredited, structured, one-year postgraduate educational and training program that fosters the development of advanced knowledge and skill in the delivery of ambulatory/managed care clinical pharmacy services  within a non-profit alliance of community-based medical groups. During the twelve-month program, the resident completes a variety of rotations to gain both patient care and practice management experience. The fundamental goal of the residency is to attract and develop pharmacists whose talents and motivation indicate a strong potential for assuming leadership roles in managed care, ambulatory care, and/or academia.

Program Start Date

The residency program runs from July 1st (or closest Monday) through June 30th (or closest Friday) of each year.

Accreditation Status

The PGY1 Residency program is ASHP accredited.

Applicant Requirements

The applicant must possess a PharmD degree from a college or university accredited by ACPE or equivalent experience and must be eligible for MA license in pharmacy. Requirements must be met prior to the start date of the application year. Applicants must apply through PhORCAS. Application deadline is the first week of January, date assigned yearly. Refer to the residency manual for complete details.

Administration

Kathy Zaiken, Pharm.D.
Professor of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy Boston
Residency Program Director
MCPHS
179 Longwood Ave
Boston, MA 02115
Tel: 617.732.2740
kathy.zaiken@mcphs.edu

Ewan McNicol, MS, Pharm.D.
Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice
Co-Residency Program Director
MCPHS
179 Longwood Ave
Boston, MA 02115
Tel: 617.732.2195
ewan.mcnicol@mcphs.edu

Required Learning Experiences

  • Orientation
  • Patient Counseling and Pharmacy Operations
  • Clinical Pharmacy Administration
  • Drug Information
  • Direct Patient Care I & II
  • Direct Patient Care III/APPE Preceptor
  • Anticoagulation Management Services
  • Informatics

Elective Learning Experiences

  • Behavioral Health
  •  Oncology
  • Pain Management

Longitudinal Learning Experiences

  • Residency Research Project
  • Teaching
  • Drug Information
  • Staffing

Example of Residency Year Overview

Month

Learning Experience

Teaching

Residency Project

July (3 days)

MCPHS Orientation

 

 

July (40 hours/week x 3 weeks)

Patient Counseling and Pharmacy Operations

 

 

August to Mid-September (32 hours/week x 9 weeks)

Clinical Pharmacy Administration

MCPHS every Friday (6 hours/day)

2 hours/week

Mid-September to Mid-October (32 hours/week x 3 weeks), then longitudinal

Drug Information

MCPHS University every Friday (6 hours/day)

2 hours/week

Mid-October to Mid-December (32 hours/week x 9 weeks)
*Resident to Attend Midyear x 1 week during this LE*

Direct Patient Care I

MCPHS every Friday (6 hours/day)

2 hours/week

Last week of December to January 1

Administrative Time/Holiday Break

 

 

January to Mid-February (32 hours/week x 6 weeks)

Direct Patient Care II

MCPHS every Friday (6 hours/day)

2 hours/week

Mid-February to Mid-March (32 hours/week x 4 weeks)

Informatics

MCPHS every Friday (6 hours/day)

2 hours/week

Mid-March to Mid-April (32 hours/week x 6 weeks)

Direct Patient Care III/APPE Preceptor

MCPHS every Friday (6 hours/day)

2 hours/week

Mid-April to End of May (32 hours/week x 6 weeks)

Anticoagulation Management Service (AMS)

 

2 hours/week

June (38 hours/week x 4 weeks)

Elective

 

2 hours/week

**Schedule subject to change, appropriate notification of any change will be given.**

For more information regarding our program including application requirements, learning experience descriptions, and benefits please refer to the MCPHS/Atrius Health PGY1 Residency Program Manual.