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Forge Your Path to Become a Competitive Pharmacy Residency

Applicant

Rodney J. Gedey, PharmD, BCPSDirector of Drug Information Services

Envolve Pharmacy Solutions

March 11, 2017

• Rodney J. Gedey• Presenter has no conflict of interest to disclose• This presentation was not funded

Disclosure Statement & Speaker’s Non-Commercialism Agreement

1.Writeanpersuasiveletterofintent2.Constructaneffectivecurriculumvitae3.Facilitatewritinglettersofrecommendation4.Formulateinterviewanswersinasystematicandclearformat

Learning Objectives

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Applicant

Student#1

Student#2

Student#3

Candidate

Applicant#3

Applicant#2

Applicant#1

ResidencyInterview

LetterofIntent

CurriculumVitae

Lettersofrecommendation

ActionstotakebeforeyoustartAdvancedPharmacyPracticeExperiences(APPEs)

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q Focus getting and maintaining good grades

q Develop and maintain your curriculum vitae (CV)

q Consider elective courses in your areas of interest

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To Do List: Academics

q Get a job in a pharmacy q Look for summer internshipsq Perform well during the Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPEs)q Talk to faculty and students about Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences (APPEs)q Obtain research experience

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To Do List: Experience

q Explore different organizations and join one or two q Run for an officer position/head of a committee q Find a mentor

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To Do List: Leadership

q Decide the type(s) of residency to apply for (e.g., community, pharmacy practice (acute care, ambulatory care), managed care, nontraditional).

q Contact preceptors for the months of October, November and December about attending state pharmacy conferences and ASHP Midyear

q Contact preceptors for the months of January, February and March about attending interviews for residencies

q Start budgeting for travel and registration for conferences and residency interviews

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To Do List: Before APPEs

September

• UpdateCV• Startletterofintentandinterviewpreparation

October

• UpdateletterofintentandCV• Continueinterviewpreparation

November

• Obtainlettersofrecommendation• ApplytotheASHPResidencyMatchingProgram• Attendstatepharmacyconferences

December

• AttendASHPMidyear/PPS• Completeapplicationstoresidencyprograms

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Writingapersuasiveletterofintent

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Purpose

Goal

Objective

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The purpose of your letter of intent is to get your CV read

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LetterofIntent

Whythisprogramisagood

fit

CurriculumVitae

Howyouareagood

candidate

Interview

Verifyingfitandskills

Paragraph 1 qThe introductory paragraph should state the position to which you are applying, explain how you heard about the position and if you have discussed the position with anyone

Paragraph 2q Your traits, characteristics, and skill(s) with specific exampleq GoalsParagraph 3qWhat specifically about the residency program will enable you to achieve your goals

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The letter of intent should include three paragraphs at a minimum

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The third paragraph bridges the gap between where you are and where you want to be

q I am applying to the Pharmacy Practice Management residency. I had the privilege of speaking with one of your residents, John Lee, at the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists midyear conference. His enthusiasm further strengthened my desire to participate in the program.

q My professional goals are to obtain a position in pharmacy management to encourage and promote innovative ideas to advance professional pharmacy. I feel that I have basic leadership skills demonstrated by leading my team during the P&T competition team to placing in the national rankings.

q The mission of your program is to provide residents with the knowledge and skills necessary for balancing operational management, cost of care, and patient safety while maintaining quality healthcare. These skills create a more competent and efficient pharmacy leader.

Coverletterexample#1

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q I am applying to the Post Graduate Year 1 (PGY1) pharmacy practice residency at UCSF. We spoke at the CSHP Seminar in October. Our discussion reinforced my desire to pursue a position at your institution.

q I feel that I have a solid foundation in acute care. I had three APPEs in different ICUs and a 12 week APPE in the kidney and liver transplant service. One of my professional goals is become a well rounded clinician with the ability to practice in the areas of infectious disease and solid organ transplant.

q Your program’s ability to customize the residency to work with fellows infectious disease and solid organ transplant.

Coverletterexample#2

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IneffectivePractice:Adjectiveswithoutexamples

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qWriteaspecificletterofrecommendationforeachprogramq Spellcheck,proofread,reviewforgrammar.Thequalityoftheletterreflectsyourworkq Askafriend,classmate,preceptortoreview

Finalpiecesofadvice

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Facilitatewritinglettersofrecommendation

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Ask,“Willyouwritemeastrongletterofrecommendation?”

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q Curriculum vitaeq Letter of intentq Copy of final APPE rotation evaluationq Information for each program and specifically why you are applying

qSummary of rotation activities, projects and accomplishments and how they relate to skills on PhORCAS evaluation form

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Letter of Recommendation Preparation Packet

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The characteristics evaluated in the PhORCAS reference form

Comments (Please address at least 3 fields below)q Writing skillsq Oral communication skillsq Leadership/mentoring skillsq Assertivenessq Organize and manage timeq Work with peers and communicate effectivelyq Clinical Problem Solving Skillsq Effective patient interactionsq Dependabilityq Independence and resourcefulnessq Accept constructive criticismq Emotional stability and maturityq Professionalism

q Pleaseprovide2strengthsofthiscandidateandhowyoubelievethesestrengthswillbebeneficialtohis/hersuccessinaresidencyprogram.

q Pleaseprovide2areasforimprovementofthiscandidateandhowyoubelievearesidency

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The characteristics evaluated in the PhORCAS reference form

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ThepurposeofyourCVistogetyouaninterview

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These are common criteria used in the resident selection process on a CV

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Evidence of leadership 85.80%Previous work experience 85.30%Clinical APPEs 73.30%Application Submission Errors 65.10%Extracurricular activities 65.10%Publications/Presentations 53.90%Community service 54.70%Research experience 35.80%Advanced degree 35.30%

List the information from most important to least important

1. Personal information 2. Education and training 3. Work/Professional experience4. Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience5. Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences6. Leadership Experience7. Journal Publications

8.National or State Presentations 9. Teaching experience10. Community service11. Research Experience 12. Professional affiliations13. Awards and honors14. Licensure and certification

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Phone- Listonlyonephonenumber- EnsureyourvoicemailisactiveandappropriateEmail- Useanemailthatincludesyourfirstandlastnamejohnsmith@gmail.com- Addtwonumbersifyouhaveacommonnamejohnsmith22@gmail.com

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Heading

MonthYear– Present:JobTitle,CompanyName –Overallgoalofrole.Responsibilitysentence1.Responsibilitysentence2.Responsibilitysentence3.Responsibilitysentence4.(Accomplishments)- Verb,result,method- Verb,result,method- Verb,result,method- Verb,result,method

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Work/Professional experience position data

August 2012 to Present: Clinical Pharmacist, Operations Group Pharmacy – Dispense appropriate medications to patients and offer advice on their optimal use.

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Date, position, place of employment and high level description

- Review prior authorization requests and make determinations for drug products according to member benefits and coverage criteria

- Complete comprehensive and targeted medication reviews

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Examples of responsibility sentences

August 2012 to Present: Clinical Pharmacist, Operations Group Pharmacy – Dispense appropriate medications to patients and offer advice on their optimal use. Consult with physicians to optimize drug therapy. Counsel patients regarding prescription and OTC medications. Interact with HMOs and other insurance providers concerning billing/reimbursement issues. Coordinate activities associated with purchasing of pharmaceutical drugs; organize and return all outdated and/or recalled medications while monitoring and maintaining inventory.

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List responsibilities in descending order

Accomplishments separate you from the rest of the field

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- Reduced out of stock orders from 12% to 8% by creating monthly order projection sheets in Excel

- Achieved 100% on customer satisfaction scores

- Completed 100% of reports by using personally developed time management system

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Accomplishments should follow the verb, result, (method) format

August2012toPresent:ClinicalPharmacist,OperationsGroupPharmacy–Dispenseappropriatemedicationstopatientsandofferadviceontheiroptimaluse.Consultwithphysicianstooptimizedrugtherapy.CounselpatientsregardingprescriptionandOTCmedications.InteractwithHMOsandotherinsuranceprovidersconcerningbilling/reimbursementissues.Coordinateactivitiesassociatedwithpurchasingofpharmaceuticaldrugs;organizeandreturnalloutdatedand/orrecalledmedicationswhilemonitoringandmaintaininginventory.

◦ Saved$45,000annuallybyintroducingnewalabelingsystemthatdecreasedwaste

◦ Increaseddiscountratefrom10percentto16percentoverwholesalepricewithkeysupplierbyrenegotiatingpricesfrompharmaceuticalsuppliers

◦ Decreasedthenumberoflostprescriptionsformail-orderpharmacyoperationsbyredesigningworkflow

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Putting it altogether

Month Year – Month Year: APPE type, APPE location –Responsibilities sentence 1. Responsibilities sentence 2. Responsibilities sentence 3. Responsibilities, sentence 4. Specifically for APPEs include• Patient population• Teams you worked with• Clinical Responsibilities

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Position data APPEs

JunetoAugust2015,Gastroenterology,UniversityofToledo,ProMedicaToledoHospitalParticipatedonthelivertransplantandhepatitisCteams.Responsibleformulti-disciplinaryapproachtodrugtherapy.Provideddrugtherapyrecommendationstotheteams.Interviewedpatientsformedicationhistory.Presentedin-serviceeducationtoteams.

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Example of completed APPE rotation

• Corecompetencies,objectivesorcareersummaries

• Linkedin• Interests• Hobbies• References

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Notrecommended

• Print out your paper before you begin proofreading it

• Read your paper aloud, slowly and carefully• Give your paper to someone else to proofread• Proofread your paper from the end• Be consistent with your CV formatting• Define an abbreviation within its first instance in your CV using parentheses

• Reverse chronological order• Use 3 rd person

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Proofread your CV multiple times

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Therearethreetypesofinterviewquestions

StandardInterviewQuestionsWhatareyourweaknesses?SituationalInterviewQuestionsSellmethispenBehavioralInterviewQuestionsTellmeaboutatimewhenyouwroteamonograph

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Acompetencyiscomposedofbehaviorsandmeasurabletraitsthatresultineffectivejobperformance

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Knowledge

SkillsAttributes

CompetenciesNeededforPharmacyPractice

q Describenationalstandards,guidelines,bestpractices,andestablishedprinciplesandprocessesrelatedtosafemedicationuse

q Givenadruginformationquestion,accessappropriatedruginformationresources,includingprimaryliterature,andprovideanaccurateandcredibleanswer

q Demonstrateeffectiveverbalandwrittencommunicationstostaff,patientsandhealthcareteammembers

q Accuratelytriagemultiplepatientcareprioritiesintimesofhighactivityandworkload

http://www1.wne.edu/pharmacy/?selection=doc.842249

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Thebehavioralinterviewquestionhasatleasttwoparts,part1

QUESTION:1. Tellmeaboutatimewhenyou…

2. Describeasituationwhenyou…

3. Givemeanexampleofatimewhenyou…

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Thesecondpartofthequestionsdescribesthebehavior

1. …usednationaltreatmentguidelinestodecidepharmacotherapyrecommendationsforapatientwithdiabetes

2. …providedanaccurateanswertoadruginformationquestionusingappropriatedruginformationresources,includingprimaryliterature

3. …accuratelytriagedmultiplepatientcareprioritieswhenyourworkloadwashigh

4. …communicatedtothehealthcareteammembersyourpharmacotherapyrecommendations

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Puttingitalltogether

1. Tellmeaboutatimewhenyouusednationaltreatmentguidelinestodecidepharmacotherapyrecommendationsforapatientwithdiabetes

2. Describeasituationwhenyouprovidedanaccurateanswertoadruginformationquestionusingappropriatedruginformationresources,includingprimaryliterature

3. Givemeanexampleofatimewhenyouaccuratelytriagedmultiplepatientcareprioritieswhenyourworkloadwashigh

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Bottomlineupfront(BLUF)methodofanswering

BottomLine

Background

Concept#1 Concept#2

Result

Concept#3

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BLUF:Tellmeaboutatimewhenyoudisplayedinitiativeatwork

BOTTOMLINE:TherewasatimethatIcreatedarealtimedatabaseofsalestohelpmanagersmakebetterdecisions.

BACKGROUND:WhenIstartedworkinginthesalesdepartment,mostofthesalesrepswouldkeeptheirownrecordsandeachoftheterritorymanagerstrackedtheinformationintheirownspreadsheet.ThemanagersprovidedthisinformationtomeeveryweekandIwasresponsibleforconsolidatingdataintoasinglespreadsheet.

CONCEPTS: Concept#1:Icouldseethatthemanagerswouldhavemorecompleteandcurrentinformationifwestandardizedthespreadsheetandlinkeditdirectlytotheinformationthesalesrepresentativesenteredintothesystem. Concept#2: Italkedtomymanageraboutwhyweshouldupdatethewaywecollectedsalesinformation.Isuggestedhowtosetthisupandvolunteeredtohelphimupdatethesystem. Concept#3IworkedwithITtodesignasystemthatwouldworkusingExcelandAccessandhadthedatabaseupandrunninginonemonth.

RESULT:Theynowhavecurrentinformationonthestatusofanysalesprospectwhichhelpsthemanagersmakebetterrealtimedecisions.

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1. Blake EW, Friesner D, Gettig JP, Hajjar E, Gentry EJ, Kline JM. Comparing pharmacy practice faculty perceptions of first-year post-graduate residency (PGY1) selection criteria to those reported by PGY1 residency directors. Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning 2015;7:20-28.

2. Pick AM, Henriksen BS, Hamilton WR, Monaghan MS. Essential information for mentoring students interested in residency training. Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learning 2013;5:546-554.

3. Horstman M., Auzenne M. How to Prepare Your Resume (Your Resume Stinks!). Manager Tools Website. Retrieved August 22, 2011, from http://www.manager-tools.com/2005/10/your-resume-stinks.

4. Horstman M., Auzenne M. Sample Resume. Manager Tools Website. Retrieved August 22, 2011, from https://www.manager-tools.com/docs/Sample_Resume.pdf

5. Horstman M., Auzenne M. Manager Tools Interviewing Series. Retrieved July 11, 2012, from http://www.manager-tools.com/MTInterviewSeries.

6. ASHP-ACPETaskForceonIdentifyingEntry-levelCompetenciesNeededforPharmacyPracticeinHospitalsandHealth-Systems.Entry-levelCompetenciesNeededforPharmacyPracticeinHospitalsandHealth-Systems.RetrievedJune12,2013,fromhttp://www.ashp.org/DocLibrary/MemberCenter/Entry-level-Competencies.aspx.

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References