Altru is excited to introduce its first PGY1 pharmacy residency program! As a new residency program, residents will have a unique opportunity to help shape the program to continue to support and train residents for years to come. Residents will have a closer look at the accreditation process and the standards for creating and maintaining a residency program. Altru provides a wide variety of rotations and flexibility in creating the best experience for each resident. Additionally, Altru offers two resident positions to encourage cooperative learning and resident wellness.
Altru is moving over to a brand new, state of the art hospital in early 2025. Our residents will be able to practice in a hospital specially designed to provide the increasing care needs for those in the region. Residents will have numerous opportunities to work with pharmacy leaders on process improvements, procedure development and facility needs that accompany working in a new building.
The PGY1 residency program builds upon Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) education to develop pharmacist practitioners with knowledge, skills and abilities. Residents who successfully complete PGY1 residency programs will be skilled in diverse patient care, practice management, leadership and education. Residents will be prepared to seek board certification and pursue advanced education and training opportunities including postgraduate year two (PGY2) residencies.
Accreditation status
As with any new program, Altru Health System’s PGY1 program starts off as a non-accredited program. We have received our approval for pre-candidate status from ASHP, which allows us to participate in the match process. Once the first resident(s) start, we will apply for candidate status with ASHP. This indicates to ASHP that they will come survey and assess Altru Health System for Accreditation. Once accredited, our initial residents will then receive a certificate of completion with the new accredited status.
- Salary
- $56,000
- Vacation, Holiday and Sick Leave
- Residents are awarded 20 days of Allowed (paid) Time Away at the start of the residency program. These days include personal, professional, and sick time.
- Residents are required to work two holidays of the following: Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and Memorial Day.
- Moving Compensation
- Residents receive a $4000 moving stipend to help with the costs of relocation for the residency year.
- Professional Meetings
- Residents are supported to attend the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and North Star Pharmacy Residents Conference. Funding is provided for approved travel expenses, such as airfare, hotel, registration and per diem. Residency program and pharmacy leadership consider additional professional travel requests on a case-by-case basis.
- Organization Membership
- Residents will be reimbursed for membership to ASHP and NDSHP.
- Insurance Benefits
- Residents are eligible for medical, dental, vision and life insurance through their employment at Altru.
Residents will receive a strong foundation at the beginning of the residency with a comprehensive 7-week orientation that includes:
- New hire orientation
- Electronic health record (EHR) system training
- Introduction to PharmAcademic
- Introduction to residency program manual and purpose
- Pharmacy processes and decentralized services
- Pharmacist competency completion and review
Build foundation skills during your required rotations:
- Ambulatory Care
- Critical Care
- Infectious Disease
- Internal Medicine
- Management
*Required rotations are 5-7 weeks in length
Tailor your residency to your own interests by selecting elective rotations in:
- Anticoagulant Clinic
- Critical Care II
- Infectious Disease II
- Oncology
- Specialty/Home Infusion
- Surgery
*Elective rotations are 5 weeks in length
Complete ongoing learning experiences throughout the residency:
- Drug Information
- Education and Precepting
- Research
- Staffing (8 hour shifts; Friday evening and weekend, every third week)
Apply your skills as a practicing pharmacist during regular shifts with Altru’s inpatient pharmacy. You will work:
- Every third Friday evening and weekend
- Variety of shifts including clinical, IV room, and order entry
- Moonlighting will also be available within Altru once licensed
Applications for two residency positions are currently being accepted. Qualifications for candidacy are a Doctor of Pharmacy degree and licensure or eligibility for licensure in North Dakota and Minnesota.
Qualifications and requirements for candidacy:
- Doctor of Pharmacy degree from an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited degree program
- Licensed or eligible to apply for a license to practice pharmacy in the state of North Dakota and Minnesota
- Participation in the ASHP Residency Matching Program (“The Match”)
- A copy of transcripts: Undergraduate or non-pharmacy transcripts are not required. Only pharmacy school-related coursework must be submitted.
- Three professional references using the Standardized Reference Template in the Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application Service (PhORCAS)
- Copy of curriculum vitae
- Letter of intent describing reasons for seeking residency and reasons for pursuing residency at Altru
- Completed application submitted in PhORCAS - See PhORCAS for due date
For additional information, please contact:
Sage Voglewede, PharmD, BCPS
Pharmacy Clinical Coordinator, PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Director
Altru Health System | P.O. Box 6002 | Grand Forks, ND 58206-6002
svoglewede@altru.org
The tree-lined sidewalk streets of Grand Forks, North Dakota boast lush greenery and flowers along the Red River of the North. Grand Forks is home to about 60,000 people, making it one of the most comfortable and family-friendly locations in the U.S. Here are the top reasons Grand Forks is a cooler place to call home:
- No traffic: With one of the best commute times in the U.S., our “rush hour” is measured in minutes – not hours.
- Good Schools: Our public and private educational systems are some of the best in the country.
- Economy: With a consistently low unemployment rate (<3%), Grand Forks is a hub for engineering, aerospace, energy, agriculture, and healthcare.
- Weather: Whether you call it a big, small town or small, big town, Grand Forks has at least one of everything – including all four seasons.
Altru will be moving into a new hospital, which will open up for patients January 2025. With a working budget of $470 million, the hospital is spread over 552,000 sq. ft., will include seven above ground floors, 226 licensed patient bed, an entire negative pressure capable unit, and 14 ORs. Additionally, it features expanded emergency services, state-of-the-art operating rooms, private NICU rooms, improved staff workflow, and an abundance of natural light for the enhanced wellness and healing for patients, visitors, and team members.