Frequently Asked Questions
How is the resident selected?
Resident selection involves an application process and an onsite interview with a presentation. Application, college of pharmacy transcripts and letters of recommendation must be received prior to scheduling interviews. Interviews are held in January and February of each year. As an ASHP-accredited program, participation in the resident matching program is mandatory. An early commitment process is available for Houston Methodist PGY1 residents.
How is the resident's year organized?
The first four weeks of the residency involve orientation during which the resident will spend time training in various pharmacy and patient care areas learning the pharmacy and hospital computer systems, technology and operations, become BLS and ACLS certified (if not already), and explore potential research projects and quality improvement initiatives and identify an ACPE-accredited program topic to be performed during the residency year.
Clinical rotations are based on calendar months and may be 1-2 months in duration. A research month rotation will be scheduled during the year.
How is the resident evaluated?
Regular verbal and written feedback is provided to the resident throughout each rotation and during the year. The resident is provided with a list of goals and objectives for each rotation and completes a self-evaluation on these at the end of each rotation. The preceptor completes a final evaluation of the resident during the rotation as well. The evaluation forms are developed from ASHP's residency learning system (RLS) using the ASHP online PharmAcademic system. On a quarterly basis, the residency program director provides the resident with an evaluation of their progress. The objective of the frequent evaluations is to provide constructive feedback to the resident on their progress to maximize the opportunity for learning.
What teaching opportunities are available?
Houston Methodist Hospital is a major clinical teaching site for students from the colleges of pharmacy at the University of Texas at Austin, University of Houston, Texas Southern University, Texas A&M University, Lebanese American University, and University of The Incarnate Word. The residents have opportunities to assist in the teaching of students from multiple disciplines including pharmacy, medicine, nursing, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners. Opportunities for didactic teaching exist in the local colleges of pharmacy. A teaching certificate program is offered as part of the Houston Methodist and University of Houston College of Pharmacy affiliation for residents interested in such a training experience.
Does the resident receive support to attend professional meetings?
Financial support is provided for all required meeting (ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and Midwest Pharmacy Residents Conference) in addition to one professional transplant meeting (e.g. American Transplant Congress or ISHLT’s Annual Meeting). Support includes hotel accommodations, airfare, conference registration, and meals.
Does the resident have library privileges?
Residents have access to the Houston Methodist Library (located on the first floor of the Main Building, room M155) as well as many electronic resources including over 12,000 journals, 3,000 e-books and 40 subscription databases and applications. A few of the popular databases are: Micromedex, Clinical Pharmacology, Lexi-Comp, Natural Medicine, Dynamed, Clinical Key and Up-To-Date, which are available from the hospital, as well as remotely through an application or the hospital’s VPN.
What types of positions have former residents accepted?
Our residency programs produce highly skilled pharmacists capable of many different types of positions when they graduate. Several of our residency graduates (PGY1/PGY2) have attained a diversity of positions including clinical specialists, academic faculty, and pharmacy management. Previous residents have included a former ASHP president, residency program directors, director of pharmacy, local pharmacy chapter officers, and other successful leadership positions.
What is the average cost for housing in Houston?
You should expect to pay $1500+ per month or more for a one or two bedroom apartment if you live in the Texas Medical Center area. Housing in outlying areas is less expensive but results in longer commute times. Most residents choose to live closer to the hospital.
What is there to do in Houston?
Houston is the fourth largest city in the nation and as such has an abundance of recreational opportunities. Evenings out can include professional sporting events such as the Houston Texans, Houston Astros, Houston Rockets, Houston Dynamo, or Houston Dash games. Houston’s music and art scene includes: Houston Grand Opera, Houston Ballet, Houston Symphony, and Broadway at the Hobby Center. Discount tickets to some of these venues/events may be found on YouDecide.