WRHA Pharmacy Residency Program
Pharmacy Residency is a period of time during which a pharmacy intern or licensed pharmacist engages in organized, supervised, advanced training in the delivery of pharmacy services.
In Canada, pharmacy residency programs are practice-based and voluntary. They are usually full-time programs of 12 months duration. Through structured rotations in pharmacy practice, education, research and administration, residency programs prepare pharmacists for challenging and innovative advanced practice roles.
Residency versus Internship – What’s the difference?
Internship is a period of training during which a pharmacist intern gains the practical experience required for licensure to practice pharmacy. Canada's Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities regulate internships. Internship requirements vary from province to province. Residency candidates should consult the regulatory authority in the province of interest for further information.
Residency is a period of training during which an individual gains the practical experience required for advanced practice of pharmacy. The Canadian Pharmacy Residency Board sets Accreditation Standards for residency training. Although a residency does not, by itself, qualify an individual for licensure, in most jurisdictions an internship can be completed in conjunction with a Residency Program.
WRHA Pharmacy Residency Program Overview
The WRHA Pharmacy Practice Residency Program provides experiential learning to pharmacists for the purpose of building a foundation for the advanced practice of pharmaceutical care. By the end of the program, residents will be proficient in providing evidence-based direct patient care as a member of interprofessional teams. In addition, residents will have refined competence in medication use systems and professional practice management skills, demonstrating abilities to:
- Manage and improve the medication-use process;
- Exercise leadership;
- Exhibit skill in managing one's own practice of pharmacy;
- Provide medication and practice-related education; and,
- Manage projects
Medication use systems include:
- all aspects of drug product preparation, delivery and administration in modern, high-technology pharmacy practice environments;
- management of drug inventory; and
- organizational structure of the pharmacy department as well as how the pharmacy department relates to other personnel within the institution.
Direct patient care practice includes:
- assessing, analyzing, evaluating, planning, monitoring and documenting pharmacotherapy for an individual or groups of individuals.
Professional practice management skills include:
- critical thinking/problem-solving
- scientific reasoning
- decision-making
- verbal and written communication
- time management
- self-directed learning
- team/interprofessional skills
- leadership skills
This program is conducted entirely in English. A complete listing of program requirements for the current academic year is available here.
