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Drug Information Residency

DESCRIPTION 
The Samford University Global Drug Information Center offers a one year specialized residency in Drug Information. The residency is a structured education and training experience that is designed to offer comprehensive and intensive training in all aspects of drug information services (e.g., literature searching and evaluation, formulary management, policy and procedure design, newsletter preparation). The residency objectives are those developed by American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

 THE TRAINING SITE 
The Samford University Global Drug Information Service is a fee-for-service operation housed in the McWhorter School of Pharmacy in Birmingham, Alabama. This unique center provides comprehensive drug information services to over 8 clients within a variety of healthcare settings (e.g. hospitals, managed care, nursing homes). These services include committee support (P&T, IRB), formulary management, policy and procedure development, and DUE and ADR programs. Information services are provided to health care providers by drug information specialists, drug information specialty resident, a school of pharmacy librarian, and clerical staff.

Samford University, a comprehensive, private institution located on a beautiful campus five miles south of the Birmingham city center, offers programs of academic excellence in the context of a Christian community. Candidates should demonstrate their commitment to the Christian mission of the University. The McWhorter School of Pharmacy offers an entry level Pharm.D. curriculum and graduates approximately 120 professionals each year. The school is committed to local, regional, national and international collaborative efforts in teaching, practice and research.

 THE CANDIDATE 
The Drug Information Resident applicant must have received a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from a School of Pharmacy accredited by the Accreditation Council of Pharmacy Education (ACPE) before beginning the residency program. The candidate must have a U.S. pharmacy license. Completion of a generalized Pharmacy Practice Residency before starting the Drug Information Specialized Residency is desired but not required.

 THE RESIDENT'S OPPORTUNITIES 
The resident will receive balanced instruction to improve verbal and written communication plus decision-making and problem solving skills essential for drug information practice. Activities to enhance these skills include service (drug information, administration, clinical, ambulatory care), education, research (project appropriate for publication), and teaching didactic/experiential courses to entry level Pharm.D. students. Elective rotations are available. Rotations are tailored to the interests of the resident.

 APPLICATION
Candidates should submit a letter of intent, curriculum vitae, application form, and two letters of recommendation (reference form) by January 18, 2010 to:

Terri M. Wensel, Pharm.D.
Residency Director, Samford University Global Drug Information Service
McWhorter School of Pharmacy
800 Lakeshore Drive
Birmingham, AL 35229-7027
Phone: (205) 726-2650 Fax: (205) 726-4012

RESIDENT RESPONSIBILITIES/ACTIVITIES 
The resident activities can be divided into three (3) categories:
  1. Service
  2. Education
  3. Research
The above activities will be accomplished through goals and objectives that are set forth by the Residency Director and the Resident at the beginning of the residency program. The current status of the activities towards the completion of the residency goals will be documented by the resident through the use of a Residency Portfolio. The Residency Director is required to review the portfolio with the resident on an "at-least" quarterly basis to determine the progress and development of the resident.

 SERVICE ACTIVITIES 
Assist the Drug Information faculty in successfully accomplishing the commitments and responsibilities of the SUGDIS:

SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING:
  1. Respond to drug information requests from health care professionals
  2. Participate in formulary development, evaluation, and maintenance
  3. Assume the responsibility of Assistant Editor of quarterly newsletter publication Pharmacy Precis 
  4. Assist in preparing the weekly newsletter publications CLIPs (Current Literature and Information for Pharmacists) and New Drug FAX Sheet 
  5. Share the on-call service responsibility with the Drug Information faculty
  6. Provide committee support (e.g., P&T, IRB)
  7. Assist in the design of drug policy and procedures
  8. Assist with the Antibiotic Management Programs
  9. Provide JCAHO accreditation assistance
  10. Develop DUE/MUE criteria and collect DUE/MUE data
  11. Collect and analyze ADR data/information
  12. Partake in "medication error" activities
EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
  1. Precept Pharm.D. students enrolled in required Drug Information Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE).
  2. Present selected lectures and assist with the laboratory component of the following courses:
    1. PHRD 307X - Basics of Drug Information (1st year students)
    2. PHRD 527 - Drug Literature Evaluation (3rd year students)

      Also, the drug information resident (in addition to the drug information faculty) will be responsible for facilitating students progression in the completion of individual and group drug information course projects.

RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
  1. Conduct a research project suitable for publication and presentation at a Scientific or Professional meeting
  2. Present the research project at the following professional meetings:
    1. Southeastern Residency Conference (Late Spring)
    2. One (or more if permitted) of the following pharmacy-related meetings (if time permits):
      1. ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting
      2. ASHP Annual Meeting
      3. ACCP Meeting
      4. Managed Care-related meeting
      5. State or local pharmacy organization meeting
RESIDENCY STIPEND AND BENEFITS
  1. Resident Stipend: $40,000 / 12 months.
  2. Vacation/Sick/Professional Leave: A total of eighteen working days for personal time-off, sick leave, and attendance at professional meetings or interviewing with prospective employers. The department and center will fund attendance to selected profession meeting(s).
  3. Holidays: Days listed in University academic calendar (selected days subject to service requirements)
  4. Parking: FREE and convenient

Samford University is an Equal Opportunity Institution that complies with appliable law prohibiting discrimination in its educational and employment policies and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, sex, disability, or national or ethnic origin.