Johnson City Medical Center PGY2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residency

The Ballad Health PGY2 residency program builds upon Doctor of Pharmacy education and outcomes to develop pharmacist practitioners with the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to serve any community. Residents will gain hands on experience by navigating diverse patient care, practice management and working with mentors.

Residents who successfully complete PGY2 residency programs are prepared for advanced patient care or other specialized positions and board certification in the Critical Care advanced practice area.

The PGY2 Pharmacy Residency at Ballad Health Johnson City Medical Center (JCMC) is a 52-week program. Residents achieve professional competence in the delivery of patient-centered care, leadership, and pharmacy services.

Residency program requirements

Eligibility

  • Completing or have completed an ASHP-accredited or candidate-status PGY1 residency
  • Eligible for pharmacist licensure in the state of Tennessee and licensed within the first 60 days of the residency program

Availability & application requirements

This pharmacy residency accepts two applicants per year.

  • All application materials are to be submitted using PhORCAS
  • College of Pharmacy transcripts
  • Curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Letter of intent
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Interview
  • Participation in the ASHP Resident Matching Program

Completed application packets will be reviewed by members of the Residency Advisory Committee to determine the candidates that most closely match the program goals, objectives, and opportunities.

Selected candidates will be invited to interview with the selection committee.

Residency salary & benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package to support our residents' overall well-being and professional development. Some of the benefits provided include:

  • Estimated yearly salary: $51,480
  • Paid time off (PTO)
  • Options for health, dental, vision, life insurance and retirement
  • Travel support for the Society of Critical Care Medicine Congress, or equivalent relevant professional meeting
  • Free employee parking
  • Free counseling, medical and psychological support services through Ballad Health's Employee Assistance Program

Program structure

To maintain compliance with the accreditation standard, no more than one-third of the twelve-month PGY2 pharmacy residency program may deal with a specific patient disease state and population. Residents must spend two-thirds or more of the program in direct patient care activities.

Learning experiences begin on the first of each month and continue to the end of each month. Residents will have up to three months available for elective rotations. Additional rotations may be developed based on resident interest and preceptor availability.

Completion of an Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved research project is a requirement of the residency. A manuscript that is suitable for publication according to the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacists guidelines must be submitted to the research preceptor.
Residents will gain experience working in the central pharmacy every other weekend beginning in September. Additionally, residents will work one major holiday (Thanksgiving or Christmas).
A voluntary Teaching and Learning Certificate is available through East Tennessee State University Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy. Resident preceptors serve as adjunct faculty and precept Doctor of Pharmacy students.

Learning experiences

During PGY2, residents will balance their time between required courses and electives to help them find their specialties.

  • Orientation
  • Critical care (3 months)
  • Emergency medicine
  • Infectious diseases
  • Surgical/trauma ICU (2 months)

  • Advanced Nutrition Support
  • Cardiac Critical Care
  • Emergency Medicine
  • HealthSystem Medication Use Management
  • Management
  • Pediatric/Neonatal ICU

  • Continuing education
  • Medication Use Evaluation (MUE)
  • Professional Development
  • Research
  • Staffing

Medical use evaluation

One of the most crucial roles of a pharmacist is evaluating whether or not a medication is beneficial to a patient. Medical use evaluations (MUEs) help ensure that treatments are effective and helping patients are getting the most out of their treatment.

Residents will work with the Corporate Director of Medication Use Management and their preceptor to complete a MUE. Results will be presented to Ballad Health Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee. The resident is responsible for developing a plan to implement changes based on results of the MUE.

Educational leaders

Jen Tharp, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP: PGY2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residency Program Director and Clinical Pharmacist Specialist for Critical Care at JCMC.

Corinne Allen, PharmD, MBA: Regional Director of Pharmacy Services for Ballad Health, South Region.

Preceptors (Clinical Supervisors)

Learning Experiences

Corinne Allen, PharmD, MBA

Management

John Bossaer, PharmD, BCOP

Oncology Elective (Inpatient)

Jess Brumit, PharmD, BCPS, MBA

Cardiology

Pauline Chatnick, PharmD, PGDip

Advancing Practice
Professional Development
Management Elective

Andrew Davis, PharmD

Orientation, Operational & Clinical Pharmacy

Jayna Sharma, PharmD

Antimicrobial Stewardship Elective

Kelly Covert, PharmD, BCPS

Adult Medicine (also with Preceptorship as Elective)

Karen Kirschbaum, PharmD, MSHI, BCPS, BCCCP, CPHQ, CPHIMS

Health System Medication Use Management Elective

Rhonda Liberto, BSPharm, PharmD, CPPS

Orientation
Medication Safety Elective

Molly Lassiter, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP, BCCP, CACP

Anticoagulation Stewardship Elective

Cameron Lanier, PharmD, MS, BCPS

Adult Medicine (also with Preceptorship as Elective)

Tim Lundberg, PharmD

Staffing (Longitudinal)

Robin Mottern, PharmD, BCPPS

Pediatrics
PICU/NICU Elective

Austin Roe, PharmD

Critical Care Medicine

Ashley Sant, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP

Oncology (Ambulatory) Elective

Jen Tharp, PharmD, BCPS, BCOP

Critical Care Medicine
Orientation and Nutrition Support
Palliative Care Elective
Professional Development (longitudinal)

Vera Wilson, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP

Trauma/Surgical Critical Care
Orientation and Nutrition Support
Advanced Nutrition Support Elective

Currently recruiting

Tnfectious Diseases

Currently recruiting

Emergency Medicine Orientation
Elective

Accreditation

ASHP Residency Accreditation

JCMC began its PGY2 program in 2010 and is fully accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.

Contact us

Reach out to us with any questions you may have about the program. Thank you for your interest in the PGY2 pharmacy residency training at JCMC. For questions, please contact:

Jen Tharp, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP
Clinical Pharmacist Specialist, Critical Care
PGY2 Pharmacy Residency Program Director
jen.tharp@balladhealth.org
(423) 431‑6737