Specialized Residency in Drug Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you briefly describe the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Drug Information Residency Program?
The Drug Information Residency is a full-time, twelve-month, ASHP-accredited program that provides intensive training in all facets of medical information, medication use policy development, and medication safety. A major focus of this experience is interdisciplinary medication policy development and implementation. The program offers activities that encompass medical information, clinical and administrative responsibilities. The residency is flexible, permitting the program director to individualize the emphasis to meet the desires of the resident.
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Do I need to attend the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting?
If you attend the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting held each year in December, you will have the opportunity to sign up for a brief interview and information session at the Personnel Placement Service (PPS). (Attendance is not mandatory.) Additional information can be obtained during the Residency Showcase. Whether-or-not you are able to attend the Midyear, do not hesitate to contact the program director, Dr. Cindy Wordell, for more information.
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What are the requirements for application to the Drug Information Residency Program?
- Application Packet
- Application form
- Letter of interest
- Official transcript(s)
- Three letters of recommendation
- Curriculum Vitae
- Pharm.D. from an accredited school of pharmacy
- Pharmacy Licensure in the State of Pennsylvania (expected to be obtained as soon as possible)
- Pharmacy Practice Residency or equivalent experience
- Registration with the ASHP Residency Matching Program
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When are applications due?
Completed applications are due by January 15. After reviewing all completed applications, interviews will be scheduled with selected candidates in late January and throughout February.
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How many Drug Information Residency Positions are available?
There is one full-time specialized residency in drug information avaiable at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
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When does the residency start?
The residency begins on or about July 1.
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What kinds of experiences can I expect to have as a Drug Information Resident?
Throughout the residency, you will have opportunity to:
- Respond to drug information inquires
- Assist in the coordination of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee and its subcommittees
- Serve as recording secretary of a P & T Subcommittee
- Develop skills communicating information in an interdisciplinary setting
- Develop, implement and evaluate medication use policies
- Conduct a major project
- Prepare written medical information and edit material prepared by others
- Precept Doctor of Pharmacy students
- Participate in the Investigational Drug Service
- Perform pharmacokinetic consults
- Participate in adverse drug event tracking, evaluating and reporting
- Participate in pharmacoeconomic activities
- Develop, conduct and present a Drug Use Evaluation
- Prepare and present an ACPE-accredited continuing education program
- Participate in The Joint Commission continual survey readiness process
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What teaching opportunities exist?
The Pharmacy Department is committed to providing numerous educational programs for a variety of healthcare professionals. By participating in opportunities that exist at the Jefferson School of Pharmacy (JSP) and the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia (USP), the residents are able to develop a broad range of teaching skills. These opportunities include presenting formal didactic lectures to medical, nursing and pharmacy students; precepting undergraduate pharmacy students from JSP, USP, and Temple University; and serving as an instructor in a classroom setting for students at JSP. In addition, residents are required to prepare and present an ACPE-accredited continuing education program and present a platform presentation at the Eastern States Conference for Pharmacy Residents and Preceptors.
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What is the staffing requirement of the residency?
Currently, the resident staffing commitment consists of:
- One evening per week
- Approximately every 4th weekend
- Two holidays per year
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How is the residency coordinated?
A Residency Advisory Committee, including staff members who are former residents, provides overall direction for the program. The Residency Program Director administers the Drug Information Residency and assures that each resident receives optimal exposure to various areas of drug information practice. To obtain more information about the Drug Information Residency, interested applicants are encouraged to contact the program director, Cindy Wordell, at 215-955-9039 or
cindy.wordell@jeffersonhospital.org
Cindy J. Wordell, BS, Pharm.D.
Phone: 215-955-9039
E-mail: cindy.wordell@mail.tju.edu
Director and Preceptor, Drug Information Residency
Assistant Director, Medication Use Policy, Research, and Clinical Services
Hospital Practice Residency: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
Drug Information Residency: Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
BS & Pharm.D.: Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science
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What is the stipend and what benefits are offered?
The stipend for the 2009-2010 year is expected to be approximately $45,500, paid bi-weekly over a period of 26 pay periods. An excellent benefits package is also included: health insurance, vacation and personal days, sick days, holidays, meal allowance, discounts on public parking and public transportation, lab coats and travel reimbursement.
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Is licensure in Pennsylvania required?
Yes, residents are expected to become licensed in Pennsylvania at the earliest possible date. Licensure permits the resident to accept full responsibility and accountability for the care of patients; an essential outcome of residency training. Delays in becoming licensed in Pennsylvania may jeopardize the resident's ability to meet the residency program outcomes.
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What is the size of the Pharmacy Department? How is it organized?
The Pharmacy Department at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital consists of approximately 65 full-time pharmacists and 65 full-time supportive personnel (pharmacy technicians and clerks). A sizeable part-time staff increases the department's resources to more than 150 employees.
The department consists of a large centralized pharmacy and three decentralized pharmacies that are responsible for providing comprehensive pharmacy services to the approximately 660 beds at our flagship facility, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. The department also consists of a well-established Investigational Drug Service that participates in numerous inpatient and outpatient protocols and a Drug Information Center that services practitioners throughout the Jefferson Health System. The department has outpatient pharmacies at several convenient on-campus locations and has responsibility for pharmacy services at the Jefferson Hospital for Neurosciences.
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Is workspace provided to the residents?
Yes, each resident is provided with his or her own desk equipped with a personal computer located within the administrative offices of the department. On the PC, the resident is able to gain access to the hospital network including patient profiles, laboratory data, Medline®, Micromedex®, email and standard office applications (Microsoft Office®)
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