Rotation Schedule

Residents must complete 9 core rotations and 3 electives. Each rotation is 4 weeks in duration, and longitudinal experiences span the residency year.

Sequencing of Learning Experiences

Learning experiences are sequenced such that the resident completes onsite core learning experiences prior to electives and teaching-focused learning experiences. Various electives are offered, including options to repeat core rotations with greater autonomy and more advanced learning opportunities towards the end of the residency year. 

Core Rotations

• Orientation
• Infusion Services Management
• Hospital Leadership (Adult or Pediatric)
• Clinical Leadership (Adult or Pediatric)
• Production & Supply Chain Management
• System-Wide Leadership
• Executive Leadership
• Business Services
• Outpatient Management

Elective Rotations

• 340B Management
• Apexus (External) Rotation
• Health Systems Informatics
• Informatics & Supply Chain Leadership - Vizient
• Investigational Drug Service Management
• Perioperative Pharmacy Management
• Other elective learning experiences may be developed based on resident interest and preceptor availability. Examples include, but are not limited to:
  • Academic Leadership
  • Ambulatory Leadership
  • Medication Safety
  • Pharmacy Analytics
  • Pharmacy Finance
  • Regulatory & Compliance
  • Specialty Pharmacy
  • Transitions of Care

Longitudinal Experiences

• Longitudinal Committee Leadership
• Longitudinal Operational Staffing (includes Manager On Call)
• Longitudinal People Pharmacy Practice Management
• Longitudinal Quality Improvement Project
• Longitudinal Research Project
• Longitudinal Site Pharmacy Practice Management

Longitudinal Operational Training

All residents receive comprehensive training in each of the operational areas during orientation, including formalized training in sterile compounding and aseptic technique. At the beginning of the residency year, residents are paired with an experienced preceptor who will oversee their operational staffing learning experience throughout the year and provide residents with summative feedback.

Staffing Areas

Comprehensive operational and clinical staffing occurs longitudinally and takes place approximately every third weekend spanning throughout the residency year for a total of 17 weekends, in addition to one major holiday and two minor holidays. 

Project Selection

The Residency Program Director collects project proposal submissions from clinical pharmacists for consideration as a resident research project on an annual basis in the Spring. Projects are reviewed for feasibility, appropriateness of timeline, potential value that may focus on clinical pharmacist services, quality improvement initiatives such as drug safety, optimal medication use, cost-effective drug use, and efficient, safe and effective medication preparation, delivery and administration. The Residency Program Director will reach out to the residents in early summer to start discussion of project selection.

Research Training

PGY2 residents participate in the UCSF Research Certificate Program and will gain skills in adhering to a research timeline, creating an appropriate study design and methodology, completing data collection and analysis and summarizing research findings. Residents are enrolled in the Designing Clinical Research course that is part of the Summer Clinical Research Workshop. This interprofessional curriculum within the Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics guides residents through modification of their research proposal and creation of a version suitable for submission to the UCSF Institutional Review Board. For projects requiring more advanced statistics, residents also receive support to work with the Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) in order to complete analysis.

Residents will participate in a research certificate whereby they attend structured research sessions throughout the year in guiding the successful completion of the research project.

Poster & Platform Presentations

All projects are of a scope suitable for publication. Projects are presented as posters at the UCSF Department of Clinical Pharmacy Spring Research Poster Session. They are also presented as posters at the Vizient residency session that precedes the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. The final presentation occurs in spring as a platform presentation at the UC Collaborative Conference in California. Final research project write up should be in a format suitable journal submission. 

Teaching Instruction

Teaching is a focus of the residency at UCSF, and residents receive a Teaching Certificate upon program completion if they complete the required elements of the program. The certificate recognizes the significant contributions and skills that are attained during the residency year. Residents receive training in teaching methodology, precepting and small group conference facilitation through a variety of educational seminars that are planned during the year.

Teaching Experiences

Teaching opportunities may include the following:

• Precepting of PGY1, APPE, and IPPE students on clinical rotations and project-based work
• Large group teaching 
• Continuing Pharmacy Education presentation
• Small group teaching