Careers at Ochsner
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The Ochsner Medical Center PGY-2 Pharmacy Residency in Solid Organ Transplant is an ASHP-Accredited year-long program that provides the resident advanced pharmacotherapy training to a diverse population of transplant recipients and mechanical circulatory support patients. The primary focus of the residency is the development of patient care, clinical research, and education. Upon completion of this residency, residents will be prepared to practice in an acute or ambulatory care environment as a solid organ transplant specialist.
The Ochsner PGY2 Solid Organ Transplant pharmacy residency program builds on Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) education and PGY1 pharmacy residency programs to contribute to the development of clinical pharmacists in specialized areas of practice. The Ochsner PGY2 Solid Organ Transplant pharmacy residency provides residents with opportunities to function independently as practitioners by conceptualizing and integrating accumulated experience and knowledge and incorporating both into the provision of patient care or other advanced practice settings. Residents who successfully complete an accredited PGY2 pharmacy residency are prepared for advanced patient care, academic, or other specialized positions, along with board certification, if available.
Ochsner Health is dedicated to excellence in patient care, education and research. This mission has been intricately entwined throughout all aspects of the Health System. Ochsner is one of the largest non-university based physician training centers. The Ochsner Health pharmacy is a state-of-the-art facility with the latest technologies. Pharmacists are integrally involved in all aspects of patient care.
Program Overview:
Ochsner Health ranks as one of the busiest transplant programs in the US, with over 200 liver transplants, 200 kidney and kidney/pancreas transplants, 30 heart transplants, 70 left ventricular assist devices (LVAD), and 30 lung transplants performed annually. Additionally, pediatric liver transplants are performed at this institution.
The PGY2 Solid Organ Transplant Pharmacy resident will be an integral part of the health care team for each transplant service, providing comprehensive pharmacotherapy services including pre-transplant evaluations, documenting per CMS requirements, medication acquisition for post-transplant patients, pharmacokinetic monitoring, and patient education. The resident will have the opportunity to develop their precepting skills while serving as a primary preceptor for either PGY1 pharmacy residents or P4 students.
In the ambulatory care setting, the resident will gain experience in managing abdominal transplant recipients. The resident will see patients who are potential candidates for transplant, those who are listed and awaiting transplant, and those who have already received a transplant. The resident will work in a multi-disciplinary fashion with transplant coordinators, social workers, nephrologists, hepatologists, and transplant surgeons to optimize medication therapy for these patients. They will be expected to see patients with a scheduled pharmacist appointment, answer all drug information inquiries, chart review patients, and participate in the selection committee.
Rotations:
Required (6weeks): | Elective: |
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*Other elective rotations may be developed depending on preceptor availability |
Longitudinal Rotations:
- Research Project (12 months)
- Transplant Leadership and Practice Management (January-June)
- Academic Pharmacotherapy (12 months)
- Longitudinal Clinical Staffing (September- July)
Core Projects and Responsibilities:
- Research Project
- Resident will be provided with a list of research topics or choose one independently from which they will develop a protocol, submit to the Institutional Review Board (IRB), collect data, present their research at a Transplant Conference, and complete a publishable manuscript.
- Continuing Education Presentation
- Resident will present a formal continuing education presentation for each the pharmacy department and transplant nursing department.
- Academic Pharmacotherapy
- Resident will present ten journal clubs and/or patient cases throughout their residency year to the transplant team.
- Clinical Weekend Coverage
- Resident will gain experience learning autonomy within the transplant team by staffing as the transplant clinical pharmacist every other weekend. Weekend staffing will not begin until resident is proficient and confident with handling clinical responsibilities independently (usually mid-September or early October). Responsibilities include: rounding with the abdominal transplant team (liver & kidney transplant teams), acuities of the patient’s on the transplant step-down unit (i.e. IV to PO, pharmacokinetic dosing, renal dosing, anticoagulation monitoring), patient education and discharge management.
- Resident will also be required to staff one Ochsner observed holiday.
Benefits:
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Health & Wellness Programs
- Discounted Gym Memberships
- 15 vacation days & 6 holidays
- $45,000/year stipend
Application Requirements & Eligibility:
- Submit a letter of interest
- Three (3) letters of recommendation
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Graduate of an accredited College/School of Pharmacy
- Eligible for licensure to practice pharmacy in the State of Louisiana
- Licensed in the State of Louisiana before the program begins or by August 1st
- Successful completion of an ASHP-accredited PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency
Only fully completed applications will be considered for an on-site interview.
Residency Program Director:
Ushma P. Kaszubski , PharmD, BCPS
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Abdominal Transplant
Ochsner Medical Center – New Orleans
ushma.kaszubski@ochsner.org
