Program Purpose

ASHP logo
The PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program conducted by The Valley Hospital/Valley Health System is accredited by ASHP.

PGY1 residency programs build upon Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) education and outcomes to develop pharmacist practitioners with knowledge, skills, and abilities as defined in the educational competency areas, goals, and objectives. Residents who successfully complete PGY1 residency programs will be skilled in diverse patient care, practice management, leadership, and education, and be prepared to provide patient care, seek board certification in pharmacotherapy (i.e., BCPS), and pursue advanced education and training opportunities including postgraduate year two (PGY2) residencies.

The PGY1 Pharmacy Residency at The Valley Hospital: 

  • Creates leaders in the pharmacy profession through the development of project management skills and utilization of knowledge about the clinical, technical, and technological aspects of pharmacy practice. 
  • Cultivates competent clinicians with expertise in drug therapy in pharmacy practice as an integral member of the healthcare team.
  • Prepares skillful practitioners to provide education to healthcare providers, patients, pharmacy students and the community. 

Program Description

As one of the first residency programs in New Jersey, Valley has been proudly involved in pharmacy residency training since 1972.

  • PGY1 Pharmacy Residency positions: Two (2)

This 12-month residency offers participants an opportunity to gain experience across a spectrum of clinical settings.  Required learning experiences generally range from four to six weeks. Residents may choose from a variety of electives based on their interests. What distinguishes this residency is its remarkable flexibility, enabling residents to create a program tailored to their specific clinical interests and career goals.  

During clinical rotations, the resident participates in all aspects of patient medication use therapy, including selection, assessment, monitoring, reconciliation, safety, and adherence. In addition to developing clinical skills, residents also have several direct teaching opportunities, are involved in the medication use process, and gain experience in research through the completion of a major project. 

Learning Experiences

Required Rotations

  • Orientation 
  • Internal Medicine
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Critical Care
  • Sterile Compounding
  • Leadership and Management 
  • Staffing/Independent Practice

Elective Rotations (choice of 4)

  • Patient Safety
  • Antimicrobial Stewardship
  • Clinical Oncology
  • Clinical Trials and Investigational Drugs
  • Specialty Pharmacy
  • Surgery and Anesthesia/Operating Room Pharmacy
  • Resident-designed elective based on The Valley Hospital area of excellence

Additional Experiences

  • Teaching certificate/precepting students
  • Community outreach
  • Research project