OHSU offers a structured training program in pharmacy practice with ample opportunity for specialization through elective experiences. The resident's knowledge base, past experience, and interests dictate the choice and length of experiences. The resident and the preceptors develop the residency schedule jointly. See a sample schedule. 

Residents receive a list of goals and objectives at the beginning of each rotation. During the rotation and at the end of the experience, the resident meets with the preceptor to review their performance. A written report assessing the resident is prepared using the PharmAcademic evaluation system. On a quarterly basis, the Residency Program Director meets with the resident to review progress and to create a development plan based on preceptor comments and resident self-evaluation. At any time, the rotation schedule can be adjusted.

Service requirement

Consistent with the ASHP residency standards, the OHSU residency experience is primarily a practical, rather than didactic or classroom experience. Practice skills are developed throughout the program in all aspects of pharmaceutical care. During the first two months of the residency year, residents will be oriented to the health-system and rotate through informatics, central pharmacy operations, and didactic learning experiences. Next, residents will train in a clinical staffing area (internal medicine, critical care, cardiology, surgery, or pediatrics) as part of their first clinical rotation. After completing clinical training in their specific staffing area, residents staff every other weekend in this area as solo clinical pharmacists for the remainder of the residency year. Residents are also required to work one major holiday (Christmas Day or Thanksgiving) and one minor holiday (New Year’s Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, or Labor Day). 

All residents must be licensed in Oregon within the first three months of the residency program, October 1st. If unable to meet licensure by this date, termination of the residency contract may occur. Visit the Oregon Board of Pharmacy website for additional details

Teaching opportunities

Residents participate in the Oregon Residency Teaching Certificate Program. The program is conducted jointly by the Oregon State University (OSU)/OHSU College of Pharmacy and Pacific University School of Pharmacy. OSU/OHSU College of Pharmacy, as the name suggests, is an affiliated school of OHSU.

OHSU pharmacy residents, in cooperation with the OSU/OHSU College of Pharmacy or the Pacific University School of Pharmacy, may also participate in classroom discussions, lectures, or labs, as well as precept OSU/OHSU Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiential students and interns.