Pediatric Pharmacy Residency
Residency Update
We are excited to announce that we have early-committed our two PGY2 Pediatric resident positions. We sincerely enjoyed speaking with those interested in our PGY2 program.
Because of this, we will have one PGY1 resident position available for the 2023-2024 cycle. Applications will be accepted through PhORCAS, with interviews conducted virtually. Email us with any questions.
We wish everyone the best for recruitment season.
Overview
Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt is nationally recognized as a leader in pediatric healthcare. Pharmacy plays an integral role in the care and well-being of all of our patients, from the tiniest patient in our level IV NICU to a teenager on ECMO in our PICU. We are dedicated to providing the best pharmacotherapeutic care for our patients.
We are excited you are interested in our residency program and furthering this care for pediatric patients. Feel free to explore our program via the links below and contact us should you have further questions. We are grateful for the opportunity to provide a glimpse into all the experiences we offer.
The Department of Pharmacy offers many continuing education programs on a regular basis for our pharmacists and technicians, precepts numerous Pharm.D. students from various schools of pharmacy and offers two ASHP-accredited, 12-month pediatric residencies for pharmacists interested in pursuing post-graduate work in pediatric pharmacy.
Monroe Carell has a long-standing history of preparing pharmacy residents for their role as pediatric pharmacy clinicians. The PGY2 residency began in 1999. We added a PGY1 residency in 2006.
We are excited to have graduates practicing all over the country as well as here at Children’s Hospital. We are passionate about training our residents to be the best clinicians that they can be. We provide a welcoming, learning environment in which you will care for patients with a wide variety of disease states both unique and common to pediatrics.
Required elements (not all-inclusive):
- Research project and manuscript
- Project presentation at PPA Spring Meeting
- Medication use evaluation or quality improvement project
- Medication monograph or class review
- One-hour therapeutic exchange presentation (same as CE)
Visit the pages below for more information about the residency programs, our current residents and preceptors, and how to apply.
Vanderbilt Pediatric Residency Tour
PGY1 Residency
PGY1 pharmacy residency programs build on Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) education and outcomes. These programs develop clinical pharmacists who are responsible for medication-related care of patients with a wide range of conditions. Our pharmacists become eligible for board certification and for postgraduate year-two (PGY2) pharmacy residency training.
General description
The PGY1 resident will focus on developing a solid foundation in pharmacy practice while working toward independence using basic fundamental clinical skills throughout the residency. Through experiences in patient-centered clinical rotations, pharmacy operations and leadership, the resident will have the opportunity to enhance their skills and confidence in pediatric pharmaceutical care. After completion, the resident will be prepared for an opportunity to work as a clinical pharmacist or seek additional specialized training in pediatrics.
Required rotations
- Orientation
- Pediatric Medicine (2 experiences)
- Antimicrobial Stewardship
- Neonatal ICU (NICU)
- NICU/TPN
- Pediatric Critical Care
- Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care
- Project
- Hematology/Oncology
- Student Precepting (combined with another rotation)
- Ambulatory Care (longitudinal over 12 months)
- Practice Management (longitudinal over 12 months)
- Distribution (longitudinal over 12 months)
Elective rotation options
- Emergency Medicine
- Infectious Disease
- Stem Cell Transplant
- Solid Organ Transplant
- Toxicology (2 weeks)
- Pediatric Medicine Subspecialties
- May repeat any required rotation
All rotations are one month each unless otherwise noted.
PGY2 Residency
PGY2 pharmacy residency programs build on Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) education and PGY1 pharmacy residency programs to contribute to the development of clinical pharmacists in specialized areas of practice. PGY2 residencies provide residents with opportunities to function independently as practitioners by conceptualizing and integrating accumulated experience and knowledge and incorporating both into the provision of patient care or other advanced practice settings. Residents who successfully complete an accredited PGY2 pharmacy residency are prepared for advanced patient care, academic or other specialized positions, along with board certification, if available.
General description
The ASHP-accredited, PGY2 residency in pediatrics at Children’s Hospital allows the resident to build upon their PGY1 experiences and clinical skills while tailoring their residency in a particular area of interest if desired. Through further sharpening of their clinical skills, operational knowledge and leadership, the PGY2 resident will gain autonomy and independence throughout this 12-month residency. This program offers flexibility to focus in an area(s) of interest depending on the resident's desire. After completion, the resident will be prepared for an opportunity to work as a clinical pharmacy specialist.
Required rotations
- Orientation
- Pediatric Medicine
- Infectious Disease
- Neonatal ICU (NICU)
- Pediatric Critical Care
- Project
- Hematology/Oncology
- Student Precepting (combined with another rotation)
- Ambulatory Care (longitudinal over 12 months)
- Practice Management (longitudinal over 12 months)
- Distribution (longitudinal over 12 months)
Elective rotation options
- Emergency Medicine
- Antimicrobial Stewardship
- Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care
- Stem Cell Transplant
- Solid Organ Transplant
- Toxicology
- Pediatric Medicine Subspecialties
- May repeat any required rotation
All rotations are one month each unless otherwise noted
Application Process
Applicant must be a graduate of an ACPE-accredited College of Pharmacy and be licensed in the state of Tennessee by July 31. For PGY2 applicants, completion of an ASHP-accredited pharmacy residency is also required.
Interested applicants should submit the following through the Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application Service (PhORCAS®) by January 1.
- Current curriculum vitae
- Letter of interest
- Three references with comments on at least 50 percent of the items. Two references preferably from clinical preceptors. No formal letter of recommendation upload necessary.
- Official pharmacy school transcripts
PGY2 applicants invited for an on-site interview will give a 15-minute clinical pearl presentation.
Final acceptance depends on required Vanderbilt University Medical Center online application, drug screening and background check. This is not required for initial application through PhORCAS.®
For more information or questions regarding the residency or application process, please contact Dr. Alison Grisso.
Common Questions
- Do you offer a teaching certificate?
For interested residents, we offer a teaching certificate through Belmont University College of Pharmacy. This is a year-long didactic and teaching experience in which residents help coordinate and teach the pediatric elective for their College of Pharmacy.
- Do you have an on-call program?
Our clinical on-call program is done from home outside of normal rotation hours. The resident is on call for a week at a time on a rotating basis with their co-residents. A back-up preceptor is available to the resident during their call week.
- What are the staffing requirements?
To provide the resident with a solid foundation in operational skills and strengthen the recommendations made based on our current product availability and processes, the resident will have a distributive component to their residency. Both PGY1 and PGY2 residents staff the main pharmacy once every three weekends in a distributive and clinical role.
Additionally, PGY1 residents staff the main pharmacy one afternoon per week (1530-1900), with PGY2 residents staffing one afternoon every other week.
- Are residents expected to work holidays?
Each resident works two holiday shifts. The shifts are provided at the beginning of the year with selection dependent upon agreement with their other co-residents.
- Do you support travel to conferences and professional development opportunities?
In addition to time off for professional development, we provide a $2,500 stipend to be used toward travel for ASHP Midyear and the spring meeting of PPA.
Contact Us
Alison Grisso, Pharm.D., BCPPS
Residency Program Director, PGY1 and PGY2 Pediatrics
Pediatric Clinical Pharmacist Specialist
Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt
Department of Pharmacy
2200 Children's Way, Rm 4508
Nashville, TN 37232
Phone: (615) 936-4553