Program overview
Northern Health strives to provide exceptional health services and to lead the way in promoting health and providing health services for Northern and rural populations. We encourage you to consider Northern Health for your residency and to become a part of the Northern way of caring.
Number of positions: 3
Home site: University Hospital of Northern BC in Prince George
Duration: 52 weeks, starting in June of each year
Established in: 2003
Stipend: From $36,000 to $58,000, dependent on signing a return of service agreement
Conference leave: Funding to attend one conference including travel expenses
Vacation: 10 days
Benefits: Extended health, dental and group life
Program coordinator: Aleisha Enemark
Phone: 250-565-2014
Email: Aleisha.Enemark@northernhealth.ca
Information for prospective residents
The Northern Health Pharmacy Residency program is a paid 52 week experiential learning program running from June to June each year. The program is affiliated with UBC and collaborates with the other Pharmacy Residency Programs in BC. A pharmacy residency is a one-year post-baccalaureate program which is accredited by the Canadian Pharmacy Residency Board. The Northern Health program is fully accredited and residents who complete the program receive their ACPR designation.
Purpose of the Northern Health pharmacy residency:
Pharmacists completing this residency will be competent and independent practitioners of pharmaceutical care in diverse patient populations. They will be accountable for achieving optimal drug therapy outcomes as members of the health care team. These pharmacists will exercise skill in educating other health care professionals, patients, and the community on drug-related topics. They will demonstrate professional maturity by developing a personal philosophy of practice, monitoring their own performance, exhibiting commitment to the profession, and exercising leadership in improving the safety of the medication-use system.
Residents will demonstrate competence in:
- Providing direct patient care as a member of the interprofessional team
- Managing and improving medication use systems
- Exercising leadership
- Exhibiting ability to manage one’s own practice of pharmacy
- Providing medication and practice related education
- Demonstrating project management skills
Admission requirements:
- Graduates of any Canadian pharmacy school
- Graduates of foreign pharmacy schools must be a registrant of the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada
- Registration with the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia
Completion requirements:
- Residents will be awarded a Pharmacy Practice Residency graduation certificate and designated an Accredited Canadian Pharmacy Resident (ACPR) after the successful completion of all expectations of the program.
Pharmacy residents with Northern Health complete the majority of rotations at the University Hospital of Northern BC in Prince George (approximately 39 weeks) with additional rotations outside of Prince George within Northern Health (up to 11 weeks). Additional rotation weeks are aligned with other BC Pharmacy Residency Programs.
Residents receive reimbursement for travel associated with rotations and educations experiences of the residency program.
See the Northern Health Pharmacy Residency rotation structure (PDF).
Additional activities:
- Attend a major conference
- BC Wide Case Presentation
- Residency Research Day
Residents are provided with a competitive salary and travel allowance. Residents have the option of signing the Residency Training Agreement committing to one year of service following their residency year.
Final compensation is dependent on sign the Residency Training Agreement on acceptance to the residency program and ranges from approximately $36,000 to $58,000.
For more details please contact the Residency Program Coordinator.
Coordinated by the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists (CSHP)
- All applicants are required to use the Pharmacy Residency Application and Matching Service
Please see the UBC website for additional details related to the application process.
When: Early December
Where: University of British Columbia, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Vancouver
Applicants will be contacted by UBC staff for an interview
Applicants will be offered an in-person interview in Vancouver or a virtual interview
Please contact the Northern Health Residency Coordinator with questions
- University Hospital of Northern BC (UHNBC), Prince George
- Bulkley Valley District Hospital, Smithers
- Dawson Creek and District Hospital, Dawson Creek
- GR Baker Memorial Hospital, Quesnel
- Fort St. John Hospital, Fort St. John
- Mills Memorial Hospital, Terrace
Residency program coordinator: Aleisha Enemark
Phone: 250-565-2014
Email: Aleisha.Enemark@northernhealth.ca
The Program Coordinator plans and coordinates the Residency Program. The Coordinator provides support and guidance to the residents and preceptors and ensures continuous quality improvement of the program.
Residency program director: Dr. Dana Cole
Phone: 250-649-7577
Email: Dana.Cole@northernhealth.ca
The Residency Program Director is responsible for the administrative organization of the residency program and provides support to the coordinator, preceptors and residents.
- 2023-2024 - Lindsay Ellefson, Jasleen Hansra
- 2022-2023 – Amy Jradi, Gordon Ling, Vivian Phan
- 2021-2022 – Cheuk Wai Tara Luk, Serena Quan
- 2020-2021 – Karan Dewan, Shelby McGraw
- 2019-2020 – Jordan Lewis, Megan Hanson
- 2018-2019 – Jessica Manning, Jessie McIntosh
- 2017-2018 – Kyle Costa, Benjamin Wou
- 2016-2017 – Barret Barr
- 2015-2016 – Ryan Doerksen, Nicholas House
- 2014-2015 – Sara Cassidy, Cindy Yuen
- 2013-2014 – Kendra Southwood, Katie Shovar
- 2012-2013 – Catherine Cheung, Janise Fehr
- 2011-2012 – Alicia Ridgewell, Jacyln Wakita
- 2010-2011 – Celia Culley, Ryan LeBlanc
- 2009-2010 – Jennifer Day
- 2008-2009 – Aleisha Thornhill, Curt Fowkes
- 2007-2008 – Erika Maher
- 2006-2007 – Amanda Shea
- 2005-2006 – Jennifer Gillcash
- 2004-2005 – Jennifer Hawkes
- 2003-2004 – Melissa Lo
Benefits of the Northern Health Residency Program
"All in all, I wouldn't have wanted to be with any other residency program. Our close-knit program provides support and structure, and really does set you up for success."
"I found my preceptors to be excellent at providing immediate and constructive feedback that allowed me to further accelerate my learning."
"The program was organized in a way that kept my personal and career goals in mind, which I think was very important and added a lot of value to the program for me."
Residency supports future career goals
”I feel that the residency year was excellent at instilling an organized clinical process, which I can take forward … as a clinical pharmacist. The residency has provided me with a solid clinical base of knowledge from which to grow and the tools I need to continue improving my clinical process and pursue life-long learning."
"The residency has been very helpful by providing a variety of experiences that make you more well-rounded and offer insight into possible career opportunities. Without the residency, career transitions of interest would likely take much longer to obtain. The diverse experiences and exposure to different clinical areas have been instrumental in preparing me for future career steps."
Advice from past residents
"Take advantage of this opportunity, it goes by fast. Be a sponge for the knowledge, interpersonal skills, and advice on how to establish a clinical practice. The hours are long and the year is challenging, but the reward at the end is worth it."
"The purpose of a residency is self-growth, and working through tough times will make you better than you were the day before. Find ways to maintain a work-life balance, such as exercising, spending time with friends and family, or pursuing a hobby."