PGY2 Critical Care

PGY2 Critical Care Team

PGY2 Pharmacy Residency Program in Critical Care Purpose Statement

PGY2 pharmacy residency programs build on Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) education and PGY1 pharmacy residency programs to contribute to the development of clinical pharmacists in specialized areas of practice. PGY2 residencies provide 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 will be prepared for advanced patient care, academic, or other specialized positions, along with board certification.

There is one PGY2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residency position available. The program start date is July 1.

Two PGY2 Team Members discuss in front of a computer

PGY2 Description:

UNC Health Rex has over 70 adult intensive care unit (ICU) beds which encompass the Medical/Surgical, Neuroscience, Cardiac, and Cardiothoracic Surgery ICUs. Additionally, UNC Health Rex has a 21 bed Neonatal ICU. UNC Health Rex provides care for a variety of critically ill patients and is recognized as an Excellent ACC HeartCARE Center, comprehensive stroke center, and has also been recognized as a  NCDHHS North Carolina Star Partners Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Champion.

Our resident functions as an integral member of the multidisciplinary critical care team. Through patient data collection and analysis, residents develop the knowledge and skills to provide patient-specific and evidence-based pharmacotherapy while functioning as independent practitioners.

In addition, valuable leadership and research skills are developed through participation in critical care-related interdisciplinary committees and completion of a practice-changing clinical research project.

Residents function as a co-preceptor for pharmacy students and PGY1 pharmacy residents on rotation. Residents also attend and actively participate in longitudinal code response throughout the residency year and serve as co-preceptor for PGY1 residents in this setting.

PGY2 Team Member fills a syringe from a bottle

PGY2 Program Design:

Required Rotations: (9 months)

  • Orientation (1 month)
  • Medical/Surgical ICU (2 months)
  • Cardiac ICU (2 months)
  • Neuroscience ICU (1 month)
  • Cardiothoracic Surgery ICU (1 month)
  • Emergency Medicine (1 month)
  • Antimicrobial Stewardship (1 month)

Elective Rotations: (choose 3)

  • Neonatal ICU (1 month)
  • Advanced Neuroscience ICU (1 month)
  • Advanced Emergency Medicine (1 month)
  • Surgery/Trauma ICU—off-site as available (1 month)
  • Burn ICU—off-site as available (1 month)
  • Toxicology (2 weeks)

Longitudinal Experiences:

  • Research Project
  • Teaching - see “Teaching Experience” section for additional details
  • Leadership (includes Medication Use Evaluation and Quality Improvement Initiatives)—see “Leadership Experience” section for more details
  • Code Blue Response

Two PGY2 2021 Team Members TalkingStaffing Experience:

  • The resident will staff every 4th weekend in the emergency department or a clinical critical care patient care area and will attend all code blues on the assigned weekend.
  • The resident will staff one evening shift (1530-2130) once a month in the emergency department or a clinical critical care patient care area.

Teaching Experience:

  • Rotation Precepting
    • Serve as Primary preceptor for Introductory/Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE/APPE) students on critical care rotations.
    • Co-precept PGY1 residents on critical care rotations as available.
  • Didactic Lecturing & Academia
    • Teaching opportunities at Campbell University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences or UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy will be available as didactic lectures and group teaching sessions for the pharmacy practice skills lab.
    • An optional teaching certificate program is available through University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy for residents who have not yet completed one.
  • ACPE-Accredited Continuing Education
    • The resident will present continuing education or continuing medical education on critical care topics to interdisciplinary teams, including providers, nursing, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians.
    • The resident will also have the opportunity to precept PGY1 residents on a continuing education presentation.
  • Interdisciplinary Journal Club
    • The resident will be paired with an intensivist provider to present at the Quarterly Interdisciplinary Journal Club for members of the interdisciplinary critical care team.
  • Education of patients and family members on disease states and therapy plans is offered as a core experience on multiple rotations.

Leadership:

  • This experience will help pharmacy residents become familiar with key leadership and management principles utilized in hospitals and health systems. The resident will participate in several required activities designed to improve their working knowledge and experience with quality improvement and leadership concepts. This longitudinal experience will prepare the resident to effectively lead quality improvement initiatives and pursue a leadership position in the clinical practice setting.
  • Required activities include a medication use evaluation (MUE), quality improvement (QI) projects, and participation in the leadership development discussion series. Additionally, the resident will serve as a pharmacy representative on both local and system pharmacy-related committees throughout the year.

Meetings Attendance:

  • The PGY2 Critical Care resident will attend health system meetings, as well as 2 national meetings, including the Vizient Pharmacy Network Meeting, ASHP Midyear, and SCCM Congress. The resident may participate in recruiting events for PGY1 and PGY2 residencies and attend residency showcases as needed.

Benefits:

The PGY2 Critical Care Resident receives a $57,900/year stipend paid by UNC Health Rex.

Leave Availability

  • The resident earns Paid Time Off (PTO) at the same rate as a new co-worker. PTO is earned every two weeks, coinciding with pay periods. If time off from the residency is taken for any reason except funeral leave (holiday, vacation, absence, etc), PTO will be used.
  • The resident may be granted up to 10 days of education leave for the Vizient Pharmacy Network Meeting, ASHP Midyear, and SCCM Congress.

Health Insurance

Residents are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Accounts/Health Savings Account, 403(b), Life Insurance, Tuition Assistance, Paid Time Off, EAP, as well as a travel stipend for meetings.

Parking

Onsite complimentary parking is available on the hospital campus.

Other Benefits

  • Complimentary and required Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Basic Life Support (BLS) training.
  • Dedicated office space
  • Monogrammed lab coats
  • Vocera wireless badge phones
  • UNC-issued laptop
  • Complimentary access to the Wake AHEC Digital Library
  • Complimentary mobile access to Lexicomp
  • Opportunities to participate in select Learning and Organizational Effectiveness classes
  • Discounted access to our comprehensive UNC Health Rex Wellness Centers
  • Discounted meals from our award winning chefs!
  • Merchandise discounts at select retailers
  • Reimbursement for professional travel
  • Complementary membership to ASHP and other national specialty organizations (i.e. SCCM, ACCP) as available

Qualifications:

  • Doctor of Pharmacy degree from ACPE-accredited school of pharmacy
  • Completed ASHP-accredited PGY1 residency in pharmacy practice
  • Licensed to practice pharmacy in the state of North Carolina as of July 1
  • On-site or virtual interview

How to apply:

The application deadline is January 2, 2026 and the start date is July 1, 2026.

Complete applications include the following:

All applicants much be registered with the National Matching Service. Employment application will be required after match results are posted.

Employment application will be required after match results are posted.

Diversity Statement

The UNC Health System and the UNC School of Medicine are committed to valuing all people throughout our organization, regardless of background, lifestyle, and culture. A diverse and inclusive work environment for staff and culturally appropriate care for our patients, are essential to fulfilling our UNC Health vision of improving the health of all North Carolinians.

Contact:

Patrick Prendergast, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP
PGY2 Critical Care Program Director
Patrick.Prendergast@unchealth.unc.edu

Arilyn Maier, PharmD, MBA
PGY2 Critical Care Program Coordinator
Arilyn.Maier@unchealth.unc.edu

Ahmed Shible, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP, DPLA
PGY2 Critical Care Program Coordinator
Ahmed.shible@unchealth.unc.edu 

For more information contact:

Patrick Prendergast Patrick Prendergast, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP
Medical/Surgical Intensive Care Unit Clinical Pharmacist
Patrick.Prendergast@unchealth.unc.edu