PGY2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residency | MedStar Washington Hospital Center | MedStar Health

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PGY2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residency Program at MedStar Washington Hospital Center

The Medstar Washington Hospital Center PGY2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residency Program is designed to develop pharmacists into competent, assertive clinicians capable of providing evidence-based patient centered care to a diverse population of critically ill patients. Graduates of the program will develop a comprehensive understanding of critical care pharmacotherapy and will demonstrate the ability to identify, prevent, and resolve medication-related problems. They will be effective educators across various healthcare disciplines and will function as integral members of multidisciplinary teams. Additionally, residents will exhibit a high level of professional maturity, integrity, and accountability, while also demonstrating leadership and practice management skills essential for advancing patient care.

The PGY2 Critical Care residency at MWHC is currently a candidate for ASHP Accreditation.

Program Structure

The PGY2 Critical Care program is 52 weeks in length. Orientation is 4-6 weeks depending on prior experience within MedStar. Medical ICU rotation is 5 weeks, and all other required and elective learning experiences are 4 weeks unless otherwise noted. Longitudinal experiences take place over the course of the year except for Emergency Preparedness.


Required learning experiences (4 weeks unless otherwise noted)
  • Orientation
  • Surgical ICU
  • Medical ICU
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Cardiac Intensive Care
  • Cardiovascular surgery
  • Burn/Trauma ICU
  • Neurocritical Care
  • Nutrition
     
Elective learning experiences
  • Heart Transplant
  • Infectious Disease
  • Toxicology/EM
  • Research (2 weeks)
  • Additional experiences are under development

 

Longitudinal experiences
  • Critical Care Practice Management
  • Critical Care Research
  • Emergency Preparedness (6 months concentrated)
  • Teaching and Education
  • Teaching Certificate (optional)

 

Staffing

Residents will staff critical care satellite pharmacy every 3rd weekend and one weekday evening shift in the emergency department every 3 weeks.

 

Other Requirements

Residents will complete a medication use evaluation and longitudinal critical care research project, as well as lead a quality improvement or practice advancement initiative. They will develop an ACPE presentation for pharmacists and present at Grand Rounds or a similar platform. Inservices to medical, surgical and pharmacy staff, journal clubs, and patient case presentations will be expected. Critical care residents will actively participate in Sepsis and Code Blue Response, Sepsis and Code Blue Committees and disaster management preparation. Opportunities to present at local, regional, or national level will be available.


Benefits

Resident benefits include a generous salary, health/vision/dental insurance, 10 paid vacation/sick days, seven holidays, stipend for attending professional pharmacy meetings, free parking, onsite ACPE approved educational programs, and ACLS/BLS certification.

Applicant requirements

All candidates must meet the following criteria:

  • Possess a PharmD from an ACPE-accredited school or college of pharmacy
  • Eligible to apply for a pharmacist license in the District of Columbia
  • Eligible to work in the United States
  • Successful completion of an ASHP Accredited PGY1 Residency Program
  • Participate in the ASHP PGY-2 Residency Matching Program 

Application requirements

Applicants are required to submit the following documents via PhORCAS:

  • Completed application
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Personal statement indicating professional goals and interests
  • Three recommendations from clinical preceptors or pharmacy leaders
  • College of pharmacy transcripts

Application process

Individuals interested in applying should apply via the Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application System (PhORCAS) www.ashp.org/phorcas by January 2nd. Qualified applicants will be invited for an interview. Candidates are selected based on professional competence, scholastic achievement, communication skills, interpersonal skills and comprehension of current standards of pharmacy practice. Candidates are matched via the ASHP Resident Matching Program. PGY1s within the MedStar system may be considered for early commit after an interview process which would not require participation in the Match or PhORCAS.
Our NMS program code is 719952.

MedStar Health is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to equal opportunity for all associates and candidates for employment. MedStar Health complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.

We do not sponsor visa.

Residency Projects

2026-2027
Bivalirudin Versus Unfractionated Heparin in Adult Temporary Mechanical Circulatory Support. Nadine Haidar, PharmD; Maureen Converse, PharmD, BCCCP, Rola Halabi, PharmD BCCCP

Contact us

Program Director:
Keri Denchfield, PharmD, BCCCP, CNSC
110 Irving Street, NW 2084 
Washington, D.C., 20010-2975

keri.m.denchfield@medstar.net

 

Senior Pharmacy Director
Karla Evans, B.S. Pharm, MHA
110 Irving Street, NW 2084
Washington, D.C., 20010-2975

karla.evans@medstar.net