Year Four Curriculum

For these six advanced experiential rotations, learners will engage in advanced pharmacy practice activities in various structured and supervised environments. Learner involvement within the rotations will require active involvement, participation, and the demonstration of strong, clinical decision-making and semi-independent practice under the guidance of a preceptor for the course content topics identified. Of the six rotations needed for completion, four are required and two are elective rotations. Each rotation will be six weeks in duration and require learners’ participation 40 hours per week. In addition to the required advanced rotations, an applied Research Project will be conducted with a faculty advisor culminating in a poster or podium presentation. Learners will continue to gain insight into self and professional goals through reflection and continued development of professional portfolios. Prerequisites: Learners must have achieved fourth year professional status and successfully completed all academic and programmatic requirements of the first three professional years.

Learners are assigned to ambulatory care pharmacy settings where they may participate in clinical pharmacy services and patient care activities such as: taking medication histories; monitoring drug therapy; recommending changes in medications; reconciling medication; writing progress notes; performing physical assessments; providing patient education; conducting research; reviewing drug utilization; reporting adverse drug reaction; attending committee meetings; and interacting with other members of the health care team. Learners are expected to apply prior knowledge and apply new knowledge to demonstrate the ability to render guided patient care along with sound clinical judgment under the supervision of a preceptor.

Learners are assigned to acute care settings where they may participate in clinical pharmacy services and patient care activities, such as: attending clinical rounds; managing medication safety; taking medication histories; monitoring drug therapy; monitoring laboratory data; providing patient education; and researching patient-specific drug information questions. Learners will interact with a number of different health care providers and participate in a variety of patient care activities with the pharmacy preceptor and medical team. Learners are expected to apply prior knowledge and apply new knowledge to demonstrate the ability to render guided patient care and sound clinical judgment under the supervision of a preceptor.

Learners are assigned to community pharmacy settings where they may participate in community pharmacy services and patient care activities such as: prescription processing, pharmacy administration, OTCs, and pharmacy law. Emphasis may be placed on integrating principles of pharmaceutical care and pharmaceutical sciences within practice situations. Learners are expected to apply prior knowledge and apply new knowledge to demonstrate the ability to render guided patient care under the supervision of a preceptor.

Learners are assigned to institutional pharmacies where they may participate in practice activities such as: prescriber order entry systems, electronic medical records, prescription automation and informatics, purchasing, formulary and inventory control, interacting with interprofessional teams, attending committee meetings, pharmacy administration, distributing medications, preparing IV admixtures, conducting research, and completing chart reviews. Learners are expected to apply prior knowledge and apply new knowledge to demonstrate the ability to render guided patient care and sound clinical judgment under the supervision of a registered pharmacist.

Learners are assigned to a variety of advanced pharmacy practice settings in patient care areas such as: specialized pharmacy practice, home health care, and long term care. Each rotation will have specific objectives, in addition to the general ones below, which will be determined in writing by the preceptor with input by the learner at the beginning of the rotation. This rotation will optimize the learners’ opportunities for professional growth and skills. Learners are expected to apply prior knowledge and apply new knowledge to demonstrate the ability to render guided patient care and sound clinical judgment under the supervision of a preceptor.

Learners are assigned to a variety of advanced pharmacy practice settings in management, academia, informatics, and research. Each rotation will have specific objectives, in addition to the general ones below, which will be determined in writing by the preceptor with input by the learner at the beginning of the rotation. This rotation will optimize the learners’ opportunities for professional growth and skills. Learners are expected to apply prior knowledge and apply new knowledge to demonstrate the ability to render guided patient care and sound clinical judgment under the supervision of a preceptor.

In addition to curricular requirements, learners are required to satisfy professional development requirements. These program requirements have been selected by the College of Pharmacy to foster personal and professional growth and development. Learners will be required to develop and utilize electronic portfolios to document professional experiences (e.g., meetings, activities, assignments), track community service, and reflect upon and assess learning activities and experiences. The Professional Development series is delivered in a longitudinal, theme-based approach throughout the PharmD curriculum.