Pharmaceutical Sciences is prescribing advanced clinical skills, unique projects
and patient involvement for graduates taking its community pharmacy residency
program.
The first program of its kind in Canada, the residency was re-established
this year after an eight-year suspension due to faculty and funding changes.
The one-year program is offered to two of the faculty’s almost 120 graduates
or any licensed pharmacist each year. It involves advanced training in clinical
pharmacy skills and instruction on pharmacy management and teaching techniques.
The majority of the residency is spent in three-, four- or six-week rotations
in community, hospital outpatient and long-term care pharmacies and the Drug
and Poison Information Centre.
“This program makes sense because 90 per cent of pharmacists work in the community,”
says program director Penny Miller.
Eighteen B.C. pharmacists, recognized for their high standard of practice
and often unique services, serve as coaches. They are asked to challenge the
residents with innovative projects, such as researching a sleeping medication
withdrawal program.
“I believe there’s more independence, flexibility and patient contact than
in a hospital residency,” says Afshin Jaberi, a recent graduate of the program.
He now works at one of his residency sites, Reach Community Health Centre on
Commercial Drive.
Although hospital residencies are well established, advanced training in community
pharmacy practice reflects a change in the profession.
“We’re trying to emphasize our consultative role, working with both patient
and doctor,” says Senior Instructor Marion Pearson, one of the program’s advisers.
Energy and the ability to work with people is key to getting selected for
the residency.
The program returns with financial support from the faculty and the B.C. Pharmacists’
Association.
