Atrius Health Residency| MCPHS

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 30 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.

Atrius Health