CSP

PGY1 Community-Based Pharmacy Residency, Big Y

Purpose & Overview

Western New England University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Community-Based Residency Program provides postgraduate training to pharmacists to become leaders within the profession, provide direct care for the members of their community, contribute to community pharmacy’s advancements in health care, and to integrate practice based outcomes research in the community setting.

Big Y Foods, Inc. recognizes the importance of advancing the role of the pharmacist and profession of pharmacy in community practice and is dedicated to providing educational opportunities for pharmacists that both enhance their knowledge base and promote personal growth. The Postgraduate Year 1 (PGY 1) Community-Based Pharmacy Residency is a 12-month program that provides exposure to the various pharmacist delivered patient care experiences within community practice.

Purpose Statement

The ASHP and APHA PGY1 Community-Based Pharmacy Residency Program Purpose Statement

To build upon the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) education and outcomes to develop community-based pharmacist practitioners with diverse patient care, leadership, and education skills who are eligible to pursue advanced training opportunities including postgraduate year two (PGY2) residencies and professional certifications.

Residency Site Description

The Western New England University and Big Y Foods, Inc. Consultation and Wellness center is located at the Big Y on Cooley Street in Springfield, MA. Within the store, there is a pharmacy that fills approximately 550 prescriptions per week and administers approximately 100 immunizations annually. The Consultation and Wellness Center is located directly behind the pharmacy in a 600 square-foot space that includes a waiting room, private restroom, examination room, and an office.

A number of services are available at the Consultation and Wellness Center. Some activities include:

  • Personalized education sessions
  • Blood pressure monitoring
  • Glucose meter training
  • Insulin injection training
  • Blood glucose evaluations and monitoring
  • Pharmacist review of medication regimen
  • Foot examinations
  • Nutrition label reading
  • Grocery tours
  • Wellness activities
  • Smoking cessation counseling

The Consultation and Wellness Center is conveniently located within walking distance (less than ¼ mile) from RiverBend Medical Group, a large practice that includes Adult Medicine and Pediatrics in Springfield, Massachusetts. Springfield is home to two large medical centers, Baystate Health System and Mercy Medical Center. These centers provide institutional based diabetes education programs with services located at the main location and at a neighborhood health center. The Consultation and Wellness Center has become the primary referral site for patients with diabetes due to its’ close proximity to RiverBend and reputable education program. The Diabetes Self-Management Education (DSME) program provided at the Consultation and Wellness Center is fully accredited by the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE).

Learning Experiences

The goals of this residency are as follows:

  • Manage and improve the medication use process
  • Provide evidence-based, patient-centered care and collaborate with other health care professionals to optimize patient care
  • Exercise leadership and practice management skills
  • Provide project management skills
  • Provide medication and practice-related information, education, and/or training
  • Utilize medical informatics

The majority of the patient care and practice management activities will be conducted at Big Y Foods, Inc. on Cooley Street. There will be monthly content rotations that focus on common diseases or conditions encountered in the community. The following is a list of the rotations: disease state management, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, diabetes, tobacco abuse, medication therapy management, wellness & immunizations, community service, public health & prevention, travel clinic, academia/teaching (longitudinal), and research elective. This content will be covered and emphasized throughout the residency program. Each of these experiences will have educational outcomes, goals, and objectives. Assessments will be completed by the preceptors as well as the resident at the completion of each rotation and at least quarterly for the longitudinal experience.

During the residency, the resident will serve as a co-preceptor for pharmacy students from Western New England University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. 

Longitudinally, the resident will provide patient care at the Consultation and Wellness Center 1-2 days per week. During the Fall and Spring semesters, the resident will facilitate and teach approximately one day per week. The specific days of teaching are subject to change. The resident is expected to be flexible with scheduling.

Preceptors

Residency Program Director

Residency Accredidation Status

The Big Y and Western New England University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Community-Based Residency Program is in candidate status with the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and the American Pharmacists Association (APhA).

Application Information

  • Submission of residency application materials to Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application Service (PhORCAS) at http://www.ashp.org/PHORCAS
  • Completed on-line application at www.bigy.com
  • On-site interview (upon invitation)
  • Presentation at on-site interview on a topic related to community pharmacy
  • Individuals must participate in and adhere to the rules of the ASHP Resident Matching Program

Licensure Requirements 

Residents must possess a Doctorate of Pharmacy degree from a school or college accredited by the American Council of Pharmaceutical Education. Residents must hold or be eligible for pharmacy licensure in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Each resident must be licensed by September 1st of the program year. If a resident fails to become licensed in Massachusetts by this date, his or her pay rate will be decreased immediately to that of a 5th year pharmacy intern. This will cut the resident’s pay approximately in half. If this occurs, the resident will be required to obtain a Massachusetts Pharmacy Intern license and will staff as a graduate intern.

Salary Benefits

The Community Pharmacy Resident will be paid a salary of $50,000. The resident will be paid on a bi-weekly basis. 

The information listed in this section is intended for general reference only. 

  • Resident will be eligible to participate in Big Y’s Personal Choice Fund HRA Medical Plan, Dental Plan and/or Vision Plan the first of the month following 30 days of employment from your date of hire.
  • Resident will earn 1 week of Paid Time Off (PTO) for the first 6 months, then he/she will earn 1 week of PTO for the remaining 6 months of the residency program.
  • Resident will be eligible for holiday pay after beginning his/her employment. The paid holidays for all FT employees are, New Years Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
  • Resident will be immediately eligible to utilize our Big Y Cares Program, a free confidential counseling service.
  • All other benefits will be provided in accordance with the plans in effect for other salaried Big Y employees.
  • Travel stipend of $2000

Program Length

The residency is 12 continuous months beginning July 1 and ending June 30.