Pharmacy Residency Program | Northern Health

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.

Established in: 2003
Number of positions: 2
Start date: 52 weeks, starting in June/July
Estimated stipend: Residents are in a 'Pharmacy Resident Position' for 54 weeks with Northern Health.

Residents are members of the Health Sciences Association (HSA) union and are covered by the Health Science Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) Collective Agreement. You are required to become a member of HSA and pay union dues.

Residents are paid a P1 Salary less 15.2% as per the HSA Collective agreement (Wage Schedule N). Which is approximately $88,000 for the 54 week term.

Residents are required to complete a 12-month return of service with Northern Health following their residency program. Residents are required to repay 25% of the total wages from the 'Pharmacy Resident Position' if they do not complete the return of service.

Benefits included: Extended medical and dental as per collective agreement.
Holiday/vacation leave: 20 days as per collective agreement with 2 weeks scheduled during the residency year.
Education/conference leave: None

Program coordinator: Aleisha Enemark
Phone: 250-565-2014
Email: Aleisha.Enemark@northernhealth.ca

Information for prospective residents

Program description

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

Requirements

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.

Curriculum

Pharmacy residents with Northern Health complete the majority of rotations in Prince George (approximately 40 weeks) with additional rotations outside of Prince George within Northern Health (up to 12 weeks).

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:

BC Wide Case Presentation
Residency Research Day

Application process

Interviews

Sites and locations

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."