The Department of Pharmacy Services provides educational support to both undergraduate pharmacy students as well as to post-graduate pharmacy residents. The department also provides placement opportunities for pharmacy technician students undertaking an accredited course.
Undergraduate Program
Undergraduate pharmacy students are required to complete experiential training in a variety of clinical and non-clinical settings and each year our department welcomes approximately 15-20 undergraduate pharmacy students for experiential placements. The KHSC pharmacy department also provides paid pharmacy student positions for CO-OP students and for other pharmacy tasks as needed (e.g. dispensary support or medication reconciliation summer student). Pharmacists provide rotations at all levels of study, but mainly support students in their final academic year while completing their mandatory institutional pharmacy practice exposure/training. Student rotations enhance skills related to direct patient care, medication safety, cost-effective utilization of drug resources, interprofessional collaboration and communication. Placement duration varies between 4 and 16 weeks in length.
Residency Program
Hospital Pharmacy Residency is an accredited program through the Canadian Pharmacy Residency Board (CPRB) and KHSC employs 4 pharmacy residents annually. Pharmacy residents are usually licensed pharmacists who have just completed their undergraduate degree, and are seeking to expand their knowledge and experience in a hospital setting. Qualified individuals are matched to our program through the Canadian Pharmacy Residency Board national match.
Residents contribute to patient care in a variety of ways including direct patient care, drug distribution, providing drug information, conducting projects in pharmacy practice, interprofessional collaboration and teaching. Residency trained pharmacists receive the Accredited Canadian Pharmacy Resident (ACPR) designation once they complete all of the requirements of the program. They also generally remain employed as clinical pharmacists in the hospital setting, and often take on leadership and teaching roles.
Deadline for application to Ontario Programs is mid-October each year as set by CPRB. A more detailed Residency Program outline is available on request by emailing KHSC Pharmacy Residency Program or by contacting 613-549-6666 extension 6897. Additional information is available on the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists website.
Residency Program FAQs
What rotations are offered?
The program offers a variety of clinical rotations, all of which are optional and, whenever possible, selected based on the resident’s interests. Clinical rotations are usually 6 weeks in length and may include cardiology, infectious diseases/antimicrobial stewardship, intensive care, internal medicine, , neurosciences, oncology, , pediatrics and neonatal intensive care, mental health and surgery. While ambulatory clinics are part of our hospital, rotations are not conducted in these areas.
Is licensure mandatory in Ontario during the residency year?
Residents do not need to be licensed as a pharmacist with the Ontario College of Pharmacists (OCP) during the residency year. However, the resident is expected to become licensed as a pharmacist as soon as possible as per CPRB standards. Out of province residents need to contact the OCP to discuss registration. Completion of jurisprudence and or the PACE program may be required, or a license from another province may be transferred. The full year residency may be utilized as a replacement for PACE – this would need to be discussed with OCP if Ontario licensure is sought.
How are interviews conducted?
Our preference is a personal interview. However, it is possible to arrange a phone or video-conference interview when travel to Kingston is not possible.
Are residents eligible for employee benefits?
Residents receive 14 per cent of regular rate of pay in lieu of benefits and eight per cent as vacation pay.
Is financial support provided for external conferences?
Residents receive funding to attend the CSHP Professional Practice Conference at a minimum. Residents may also attend conferences offered locally by the Queen’s University Continuing Professional Development office. Other conference funding may be offered.
Is there a requirement for residents to work as a staff pharmacist during residency?
Although not required, residents are eligible to work as casual pharmacists on weekdays for evening shifts (4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.) and are paid the hourly rate of an entry-level staff pharmacist. Residents do not work weekends or on-call as part of the program.
How is the resident evaluated during the residency program?
Rotations and other aspects of the resident's performance (e.g. presentations and residency project) are evaluated by pharmacist preceptors. Residents also must self-evaluate their progress throughout the year and have opportunities to provide feedback to the program.
Why should KHSC be my first choice for residency?Completing a pharmacy residency is the best thing you can do to start your career as a hospital pharmacist. It broadens and consolidates your knowledge & skills, opens new doors, facilitates lasting professional relationships, builds confidence, and helps to shape your future career choices. The residency program at KHSC has a proven track record (based on the success of our graduates); many of our residents have continued to work in acute care hospitals, have taken on leadership and managerial as well as teaching roles. Some have made significant contributions to the profession by their involvement with CSHP and other professional organizations. We have an excellent teaching and research-based facility that supports and values professional pharmacy services and residency training. Residents have the support of a team (Residency Coordinators and Director) that oversees activities and individualizes the residency program and we offer residents a highly competitive salary.
