Lifespan Pharmacy Residency Programs

Residency Program FAQs

How are residents evaluated?

Residents are evaluated according to the competency areas, goals, and objectives set by  the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) for postgraduate pharmacy residency program. Informal feedback is provided throughout each rotation.

Based on resident’s and preceptor’s joint preferences, actionable feedback can be given informally daily or weekly. Formally, each preceptor will complete a midpoint and final evaluation of the resident using PharmAcademic. For learning experiences greater than or equal to 12 weeks in length, a documented summative evaluation will be completed at 3-, 6-, and 12-months.

Residents will also evaluate the preceptor and the rotation experience at the end of each rotation. Residents are encouraged to actively participate in the evaluation to develop skills in delivering and receiving constructive feedback. Residents’ overall progress towards the program goals are evaluated on a quarterly basis.

Is a research project compulsory?

All residents will conduct and present a year-long residency research project. Each project has at least one preceptor who will guide the resident through the research process.  

Lifespan residents will participate in a flipped research model. Incoming residents will be assigned an IRB-approved research protocol based on residents’ preference. During the first half of the residency year, residents will focus on data collection, analysis, and reporting results. The research project is completed with a poster presentation during the Vizient Pharmacy Network Meeting held in conjunction with ASHP’s Midyear Clinical Meeting. In the second half of the year, residents will develop a publication ready manuscript as well as develop an original research project and get approval from Lifespan’s Institutional Review Board.  

What is your service commitment?

The service commitment experience is designed to develop skills necessary to successfully practice as a clinical pharmacist specialist in the hospital, ambulatory or academic setting. PGY-1 residents will staff central pharmacy services every fourth weekend (Saturday and Sunday, eight-hour shifts) and one weeknight (12pm-8pm) every other week. Residents will also get the opportunity to participate in our clinical on-call service for one week, every 8 weeks. PGY-2 residents will staff the applicable setting for one half-day each week or a full day every other week and one weekend (Saturday and Sunday, eight-hour shifts) per month. All residents will staff selected holidays.

Are there teaching opportunities available?

All residents lead and participate in weekly topic discussions and prepare and present educational lectures for pharmacy staff, as well as medical students, residents and fellows of The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Residents are also involved with teaching activities at the University of Rhode Island. Depending on the level of interest, residents can gain additional teaching experience by precepting pharmacy clerkship students while on rotations.

Are foreign students eligible to apply for the pharmacy residency program? Does Rhode Island Hospital sponsor foreign visas?

Candidates for Lifespan Pharmacy residency programs must be U.S. citizens or carry a U.S. permanent resident visa (i.e., a U.S. "green card"). In addition, each candidate must be a graduate of an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education-accredited school of pharmacy and be eligible to take the Rhode Island licensure exam. Individuals who require visa sponsorship are not eligible candidates for our pharmacy residency programs.

Is attendance at the ASHP Mid-Year meeting required for application?

No, attendance at ASHP mid-year meeting or any other local residency showcase is not required for candidates to apply to our programs. The residency showcase is a forum for candidates to gain more information about our programs and to meet our preceptors and residents in person to get a feel for the program. This can also be accomplished by contacting the program directors.

Am I required to obtain a Rhode Island pharmacist license?

Yes, it is a requirement that you obtain your pharmacist license in the state of Rhode Island.

Ideally, this should coincide with the first 90 days of the residency program. The original privilege to work shall not be extended or renewed and shall only be granted to an applicant on a one-time basis. In the event you are unable to obtain your license during this time period you will not be able to practice or continue the residency. Learn more about the Rhode Island Board of Pharmacy, see the application procedure and materials.