What is a pharmacy residency?

Pharmacy residency is the additional training received after completion of a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. This training allows graduates to develop and apply clinical skills in areas of specialty. Residency training has become increasingly important in the profession of pharmacy due to the growing roles of pharmacists. The American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) envisions the future of pharmacy profession to include a mandatory and formal, postgraduate residency training before pharmacy graduates can practice.

Residency training is divided into two postgraduate years, postgraduate year one (PGY1) and two (PGY2). Training during the first year is generalized while second year training is focused in an area of practice. PGY1 is defined by ACCP as “an organized, directed, accredited program that builds upon knowledge, skills, attitudes, and abilities gained from an accredited professional pharmacy degree program.” The average reported number of PGY1 positions available per institution was 4.5 (range, 1-15). The average number of applications received per institution was 61.9 or about 14 applications for each position offered. 

PGY2 is defined by ACCP as a program that “increases the resident’s depth of knowledge, skills, attitudes and abilities to raise the resident’s level of expertise in medication therapy management and clinical leadership in the area of focus”. Completion of PGY1 is required before PGY2

PGY-2 specialties offered are ambulatory care, cardiology, critical care, geriatric, pediatric, oncology, psychiatric and much more.

In 2013, 1465 residency programs participated in the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Matching Program.

• Salary during residency was approximately $30,000 to $50,000. 
• Health, vision, and dental benefits are usually provided during residency.
• Student loans cannot be deferred but forbearances may be applied.
• Residency is typically 1 year beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30. 

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Also Read: Will I Find A Pharmacist Job After Graduation?