Pharmacy Residency Application Roadmap

Are you interested in applying for a pharmacy residency program? Comprehensive information about residency programs and the application process is available to all on cshp.ca. But evidence shows that practice and preparatory courses can boost your chances of matching with programs.^1,2,3,4 That's why we've created a roadmap to help you navigate this highly competitive process. For greater understanding and practical, hands-on learning, the course offers didactic sessions and small group interaction focused on the detailed workings of residency programs and applications. The course will hone your practical skills in mock interviews, personal branding workshops, and cover letter reviews with individualized feedback from practicing pharmacists -- all to help you present your best self with ease and confidence.

"As a fourth year student, the insights I've taken from this course are fundamental to my pharmacy residency choice. I haven't seen another course like this."

Put your best foot forward in this exciting next step.

How it works

The program takes place virtually over two weekends in Late August or early September, so you can tune in from anywhere in Canada. During the first weekend, you'll receive informative lessons from residency program experts. The second weekend will be your chance to practice your skills in workshops and mock interviews: Attendees will be assigned to a one-hour, small-group mock interview. That means you'll leave the program with hands-on experience, feedback on a draft CV and letter of intent, and a plethora of strategies to stand out in your application.

2021 Schedule

Please note that completing this course does not guarantee participants a residency position. Course fees give participants access to interactive workshops, practice sessions, and individualized feedback on their interviewing and writing skills. The overviews of residency programs and of their application processes are not exclusive to the Pharmacy Residency Application Roadmap paid course content.

Recommended course preparation

Free and open to all
"Making the pharmacy residency choice"

Watch the video

Pharmacy residency program overview

Explain the differences between the three types of pharmacy residency programs available to prospective pharmacy residency candidates in Canada.
Differentiate between Year 1 versus Advanced Year 2 pharmacy residency programs, to facilitate career planning.
Recognize and assess the value of completing a pharmacy residency program.
Identify the different types of learning activities a pharmacy resident may experience during one's residency year.

2021 Speakers

Jordan Kelly

Jordan is a pharmacist at the Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary where he works in General Pediatrics, Pediatric ICU, Hematology/Oncology, and Stem Cell Transplant. He is a recent graduate (2020) from the University of Alberta PharmD program and finished his Year 1 residency at Alberta Health Services in Calgary on July 2021. He has been a part of CSHP since he was a student, when he was the local provincial CSHP representative. He is now the outgoing CSHP National Student Delegate.

Joey Champigny

Joey is a pharmacist and recent graduate of the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy class of 2020. He is currently completing his residency in primary care at The Centre for Family Medicine Family Health Team in Kitchener, ON. Upon completion, he has accepted a clinical pharmacist position with Grand River Hospital. He also works as a pharmacist consultant at the University Gates Long Term Care Home. His main interests include heart failure management, anticoagulation, and medical education.

Cheyenne Matinnia

Dr. Cheyenne Matinnia is a clinical pharmacist at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario. Cheyenne is passionate about education; her goal is to make learning more accessible. She completed her PharmD at the University of Toronto in 2019 and went on to complete her residency at the Hospital for Sick Children. She then spent some time working in adult cardiovascular/vascular surgery at St Michael’s Hospital before moving to her current role in paediatric cystic fibrosis at SickKids. She is currently the co-chair of the CSHP Ontario Branch Education Committee and participates in various talks and panels for current students at the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy.

Linda Li

Linda completed her BSc with a major in pharmacology at McGill University in 2016 and her PharmD at the University of Toronto in 2020. She is currently completing her Year 1 general pharmacy residency at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Linda’s areas of interests include antimicrobial stewardship and critical care. She has provided mentorship to pharmacy learners who are interested in pursuing a hospital pharmacy residency. She has also mentored learners during the application process, assisting with CV and cover letter writing, essay editing, and interviewing. Outside of pharmacy, she enjoys hiking, biking and singing!

Emily Cowley

Emily is currently working as a pharmacist at the University of Alberta Hospital in the cardiac surgery ICU. She is originally from Ontario and graduated from the entry-to-practice PharmD program at the University of Waterloo in 2018. She completed a general residency at London Health Sciences Centre and then went on to complete the Year 2 residency specialized in cardiology in Edmonton.

Céline Corman

Céline graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Dalhousie University and a Master of Science from the University of Saskatchewan. She was the Residency Director at the Ottawa Hospital and Montfort Hospital Joint Pharmacy Residency Program, as well as serving as the Residency Coordinator for over 20 years. As Manager, Céline was responsible for the professional practice of the hospital's pharmacists and regulated pharmacy technicians, including clinical practice, education, and research activities. Céline was an active contributor to CPRB in various roles including Vice Chair, Chair, and long-time member of the CPRB surveyors working group.

Learning objectives

At the completion of the Pharmacy Residency Application Roadmap, the learner will be able to:

Pharmacy residency application process

Explain the residency application process and navigate the Pharmacy Residency Application Management System (PRAMS) to successfully complete a residency application.
Identify effective strategies to make one's professional curriculum vitae stand out amongst the competition.
State the purpose and goals of a letter of intent, and compose a letter of intent for residency application.
Approach and select appropriate individuals to write letters of reference.
List five factors to consider in the selection process of residency programs.
Discuss the requirements and characteristics of residency programs.
Develop a plan to incorporate modifiable factors to make a candidate more competitive in the application process.

Personal branding

Develop a strategy to cultivate a personal brand.

Mock interview

Anticipate and compose answers to common residency interview questions in preparation for residency interviews.
Develop interview strategies and communication skills for navigating the residency interview process for three different types of interviews.
Demonstrate five skills to contribute to a successful interview during a mock interview session.
Perform a mock interview and receive constructive feedback to identify areas of strength and areas of improvement.
Utilize tips for post-interview etiquette to differentiate oneself from the other prospective pharmacy residency candidates.

Post-interview process

Describe an effective strategy for ranking residency programs using the PRAMs process.
Identify the expectations and responsibilities of a pharmacy resident.
Identify strategies to prepare for pharmacy residency life.
Identify alternative career paths if a match is not achieved.

References

1. An Elective Course on Postgraduate Residency Training. Phillips et al. Am J Pharm Ed. 2012 Nov 12; 76(9): 174.

2. Using current residents to develop the guide – Resident-led Residency Preparation Series for 4th Year Pharmacy Students. Brammer et al. Innovations in pharmacy 2019, Vol 10, No. 4, Article 12.

3. Role of Residency Interview Preparatory Activities as a Determinant of Pharmacy Residency Match Rates: Caballero, J et al Journal of Pharmacy Practice. 2017. Vol 30(2) 219-222.

4. Preparation bootcamp for pharmacy residency application and interviews. Knutsen, et al. Pharmacy Education, 2018; 18(1) 1-4.