CSHP Pharmacy Residency Application Roadmap

Watch the "Making the Pharmacy Residency choice" video to get started now.

Are you interested in applying for a pharmacy residency program? Comprehensive information about residency programs and the application process is available to all on cshp.ca. But evidence shows that practice and preparatory courses can boost your chances of matching with programs.^1,2,3,4 That's why CSHP has created a roadmap to help you navigate this highly competitive process. For greater understanding and practical, hands-on learning, the course offers didactic sessions as well as take-home activities focused on the detailed workings of residency programs and applications. The course will hone your practical skills in mock interviews and personal branding/marketing take-home activities. You will also get a chance to write both a Cover Letter and Letter of Intent and receive individualized feedback from practicing pharmacists -- all to help you present your best self with ease and confidence.

Put your best foot forward in this exciting next step.

"As a fourth year student, the insights I've taken from this course are fundamental to my pharmacy residency choice. I haven't seen another course like this" - course participant

How it works

The program consists of:

5 self-paced informative on-line online modules created from residency program experts
Curriculum Vitae & Letter of Intent (LOI) Review
Mock Interview conducted via Zoom so you can tune in from anywhere in Canada

Live & Online Modules

Live Module

Module 1: "Making the pharmacy residency choice"  

Event date: Tuesday July 12, 2022

Watch the recording here:

Event Overview

Explain the differences between the three types of pharmacy residency programs available to prospective pharmacy residency candidates in Canada.
Differentiate between Year 1 versus Advanced Year 2 pharmacy residency programs, to facilitate career planning.
Recognize and assess the value of completing a pharmacy residency program.
Identify the different types of learning activities a pharmacy resident may experience during one's residency year.

Presenters

Emily Cowley
Emily is currently working as a pharmacist at the University of Alberta Hospital in the cardiac surgery ICU. She is originally from Ontario and graduated from the entry-to-practice PharmD program at the University of Waterloo in 2018. She completed a general residency at London Health Sciences Centre and then went on to complete the Year 2 residency specialized in cardiology in Edmonton.

Jordan Kelly
Jordan is a pharmacist with Alberta Health Services in Calgary, where he works in the clinical practice area of Internal Medicine. He graduated from the PharmD program at the University of Alberta and later completed his year 1 residency in Calgary Alberta. He has also been involved with CSHP in varying capacities at both the provincial and national level

Joey Champigny
Joey is a clinical pharmacist at the Upper Grand Family Health Team. He graduated from the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy in 2020 and went on to complete a residency in primary care at the University of Waterloo/Centre for Family Medicine Family Health Team. In addition to his role in primary care, he also works as a consultant at the University Gates Long Term Care Home and a Teaching Assistant at the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy. He currently serves as one of two CSHP primary care co-chairs.

Online Modules

Module 2: Pharmacy Residency Application Process

Presenters

Jordan Kelly
Jordan is a pharmacist with Alberta Health Services in Calgary, where he works in the clinical practice area of Internal Medicine. He graduated from the PharmD program at the University of Alberta and later completed his year 1 residency in Calgary Alberta. He has also been involved with CSHP in varying capacities at both the provincial and national level

Joey Champigny
Joey is a clinical pharmacist at the Upper Grand Family Health Team. He graduated from the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy in 2020 and went on to complete a residency in primary care at the University of Waterloo/Centre for Family Medicine Family Health Team. In addition to his role in primary care, he also works as a consultant at the University Gates Long Term Care Home and a Teaching Assistant at the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy. He currently serves as one of two CSHP primary care co-chairs.

Learning Objectives

Explain the Residency Application Process and navigate the Pharmacy Residency Application Management System (PRAMS) to successfully complete a residency application.
Identify effective strategies to make your Professional Curriculum Vitae stand out amongst the competition.
State the purpose and goals of a Letter of Intent and compose a letter of intent for residency application.
Approach and select appropriate individuals to approach to write letter of references.
List 5 factors to consider in the selection process of residency program to apply.
Discuss the requirements and characteristics of residency programs.
Develop a “road map”/plan to incorporate modifiable factors to make a candidate more competitive in the application process.

Module 3: Writing a Curriculum Vitae/Essay Writing

Presenter

Celine Corman
Céline retired from The Ottawa Hospital in July 2018.

Céline graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Dalhousie University and Master of Science at the University of Saskatchewan.

She was the Residency Director of The Ottawa Hospital & Montfort Hospital Joint Pharmacy Residency Program. And earlier the Residency Coordinator for over 20 years. As Manager, she was responsible for the professional practice of the pharmacists and regulated pharmacy technicians. This included clinical practice, education, and research. She was a member of CPRB in various positions including vice chair, chair, past chair and CPRB Surveyors working group for 8 years.

Céline is currently working as a casual telepharmacist with Northwest Telepharmacy.

Learning Objectives

Identify 5 elements to be included in a Letter of Intent/Cover Letter.
Identify 3 elements to be included in PRAMS essay
Identify 5 elements that need to be included in a Curriculum Vitae

Module 4: Marketing & Branding

Presenter

Cheyenne Matinnia

Cheyenne Matinnia
- Dr. Cheyenne Matinnia is a Clinical Pharmacist in Paediatric Medicine and Respirology at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario. Cheyenne is passionate about education, where her goal is to make learning and education more accessible. She completed her PharmD at the University of Toronto in 2019 and went on to complete her residency at the Hospital for Sick Children. She is currently the co-chair of the CSHP Ontario Branch Education Committee and participates in various talks/panels for current PharmD student across Ontario.

Learning Objectives

Define personal branding/marketing (specifically for pharmacy professionals)
Identify action steps for your own personal branding/marketing
Create personal brand/marketing content using take-home activities.

Module 5: Residency Interview Preparation

Presenter

Celine Corman
Céline retired from The Ottawa Hospital in July 2018.

Céline graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from Dalhousie University and Master of Science at the University of Saskatchewan.

She was the Residency Director of The Ottawa Hospital & Montfort Hospital Joint Pharmacy Residency Program. And earlier the Residency Coordinator for over 20 years. As Manager, she was responsible for the professional practice of the pharmacists and regulated pharmacy technicians. This included clinical practice, education, and research. She was a member of CPRB in various positions including vice chair, chair, past chair and CPRB Surveyors working group for 8 years.

Céline is currently working as a casual telepharmacist with Northwest Telepharmacy.

Learning Objectives

Describe 5 effective strategies to prepare for different types of interviews (in-person, video and telephone).
State 5 commonly asked questions during residency interviews.
List 3 important questions to ask a residency interview site at the end of an interview.
Identify the important components of a thank you communication post interview.

Module 6: Post-Interview

Presenter

Linda Li, BSc, PharmD, ACPR, RPh
Linda graduated from the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Toronto and completed a general residency program at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. She is currently a general internal medicine pharmacist in a clinical teaching unit. Some of her interests include antimicrobial stewardship, quality improvement initiatives and mentoring pharmacy learners. She recently published an article in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada on the impact of a standardized allergy-guided approach to Group B Streptococcus prophylaxis on appropriate antibiotic prescribing.

Learning Objectives

Describe an effective strategy for ranking during the PRAMS process.
If accepted, Identify the expectations and responsibilities of a pharmacy resident.
Identify strategies to prepare for pharmacy residency life.
If not successfully matched, identify other career paths if a match is not achieved.

Practicum: Mock Interview & CV/LOI Review

Learning Objectives

Anticipate and compose answers to common residency interview questions in preparation for residency interviews.
Develop interview strategies and communication skills for navigating the residency interview process for 3 different types of interviews.
Demonstrate 5 tips to contribute to a successful interview during a mock interview session.
Perform a mock interview and receive constructive feedback to identify areas of strength and areas of improvement.
Utilize 3 post-interview etiquette and tips to differentiate oneself from the other prospective pharmacy residency candidates.
Write a professional Curriculum Vitae tailored for Pharmacy Residency Application.
Write a Letter of Intent or Cover Letter tailored for Pharmacy Residency Application.

Canadian Pharmacy Residency Board