PGY2: Oncology

The PGY2 oncology pharmacy residency at UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside Hospital is designed for the individual interested in developing specialized clinical expertise in pharmaceutical care for oncology patients. UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside Hospital is a nationally ranked Top 20 cancer hospital which partners with UPMC Hillman Cancer Center that is the only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center in western Pennsylvania and is one of the most renowned cancer centers in the United States. The oncology pharmacy resident will gain expertise in the management of a wide variety of patients, including oncology, hematology, and hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients, in all phases of their care, both inpatient and outpatient settings. The resident will gain expertise in the pathophysiology of various hematologic and oncologic malignancies and management of these malignancies from both a pharmacologic as well as non-pharmacologic perspective. Additionally, the resident will gain experience in the treatment of oncologic emergencies, adverse reaction monitoring and management of chemotherapy, biotherapy, immunotherapy, therapeutic drug monitoring, and management of drug interactions.

The resident will be integrally involved in research opportunities and education of students and other healthcare professionals. Through the Resident Research Series, the resident will identify a practice-related research project and mentor, learn about study design and implementation as well as complete a residency project suitable for publication. An optional Teaching Mastery Series allows residents to learn about various teaching methods as well as develop their skills as pharmacy educators and clinical preceptors. Many opportunities to present formal seminars, patient cases, journal clubs, and in-service education for UPMC staff occur throughout the year. The resident will gain experience in both didactic and experiential teaching and precepting at the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy. Flexibility is provided to meet the individual resident's goals and objectives.

Program objectives include:

Demonstrate proficiency, confidence, and compassion in providing direct patient care to a wide variety of oncology/hematology/stem cell transplant patients
Demonstrate professionalism and effective communication skills in all components of pharmacy practice
Optimize pharmacotherapy and safe medication practices
Provide effective education to healthcare professionals
Apply clinical and outcomes research concepts to professional practice

Highly motivated individuals with a strong interest in oncology who are committed to providing optimal pharmaceutical care within a team-oriented setting are encouraged to apply.

To prepare pharmacists to assume any of the following roles:

Oncology clinical specialist
Pharmacy educator

Our residents will become confident, effective practitioners of pharmacotherapy. Residents will focus on ensuring application of safe, effective and evidence-based medicine practices to patients with a variety of oncologic and hematologic malignancies in the health system. These practitioners will demonstrate competency in educating their patients as well as present and future health care professionals.

Duration: 12 months
Number Positions: 1
Starting Date: July 1
Salary: $51,037
Benefits: Health, dental, eye care, life, and disability available, vacation and professional travel provided, travel stipend available
Training Site Type: Hospital
Owner/Affiliates: Private
Model (type): Teaching, tertiary
Professional Staff: 100+
Total Beds: 520+

All residents must be eligible for pharmacist licensure in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Applications for Pharmacist License and Intern Registration are available.

Application Process

Eligible candidates will have completed an ASHP accredited PGY1 pharmacy residency program and must submit the standard application requirements via PhORCAS by December 31st. An on-site interview is required.

This residency site agrees that no person at this site will solicit, accept, or use any ranking related information from any residency candidate.

PGY2 Oncology Program Structure

Required Learning Experiences (11 Required)	Duration
Inpatient Medical Oncology - Team A	4 weeks
Inpatient Medical Oncology - Team B	4 weeks
Leukemia I - Inpatient Hematology	4 weeks
Leukemia II - Inpatient Hematology	4 weeks
Team H - Inpatient Hematology	4 weeks
Inpatient BMT I (Autologous HSCT/CAR-T)	4 weeks
Inpatient BMT II (Allogeneic HSCT)	4 weeks
Investigational Drug Service (IDS)	4 weeks
Outpatient Ambulatory Care Oncology	4 weeks
Oncology Pre-Admissions (OPA)	4 weeks
Professional Development	4 weeks

Elective Learning Experiences (select 2)	Duration
Inpatient Infectious Diseases (ID)	4 weeks
Pediatric BMT	4 weeks
Pediatric Oncology	4 weeks
Gynecologic Oncology	4 weeks
Elective of any required learning experience	4 weeks

Longitudinal Learning Experiences	Duration
Administration	12 months
Outpatient Clinic	12 months
Staffing (every 3rd weekend)	12 months

Other elective rotations are available based on resident interest and faculty availability.

Preceptors

Timothy L. Brenner, PharmD, BCOP (Residency Program Director)
Amanda Agnew, PharmD, BCOP (Residency Program Coordinator)
James J. Natale, PharmD, BCOP
Shrina Duggal, PharmD, BCOP
Jason Steele, PharmD, BCOPTimothy George, PharmD, BCOP
Brian Miller, PharmD
Karen Fancher, PharmD, BCOP
Breana Goscicki, PharmD, BCPPS
Louis-Marie Oleksiuk, PharmD, BCPS
Michael Trisler, PharmD, MPH
Jeffrey Goff, RPh, MS