City of Hope-Chapman University PGY2 Medication-Use Safety and Policy

Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a world-renowned research, patient care and educational facility recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of “America’s Best Hospitals” for cancer treatment. We are one of a select group of National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers and a founding member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

Our Los Angeles County inpatient and ambulatory care facility is in Duarte, California. This lush 110-acre campus boasts beautiful landscapes and breathtaking views of the panoramic vistas of the Angeles National Forest. The City of Hope Los Angeles Enterprise includes an extensive network of community practice sites throughout Los Angeles, Riverside, Ventura, and San Bernardino counties.

City of Hope Orange County brings specialized cancer care and clinical trials to the region. Located on an 11-acre Irvine campus, Lennar Foundation Cancer Center is the equivalent to four football fields of cancer research and treatment, offering comprehensive oncology services and highly specialized programs. In addition, patients can also access advanced care at five regional clinics throughout Orange County and Long Beach.

The City of Hope Pharmacy Enterprise is committed to delivering best-in-class pharmaceutical care. Our reputation for groundbreaking discoveries, innovative treatments and compassionate patient care makes us an excellent place for highly motivated pharmacists interested in establishing an exceptional career in a progressive clinical setting.

Chapman University School of Pharmacy

Chapman University is the largest independent university in Orange County and a distinguished, nationally recognized institution.

Located on the Harry and Diane Rinker Health Science Campus in Irvine, California, Chapman University School of Pharmacy trains student pharmacists and scientists to make a difference in people’s lives by improving human health in our local communities and around the world.

Program Overview

The City of Hope-Chapman University PGY2 Medication-Use Safety and Policy Residency accepts one candidate each year. The PGY2 resident will work under the direction of the Director, Medication Safety and Quality/Residency Program Director to:

• Critically evaluate and identify vulnerabilities in the 11 elements of the medication-use system:
  • Prescribing
  • Prescription Order Communication
  • Product Labeling
  • Product Packaging and Nomenclature
  • Compounding
  • Dispensing
  • Distribution
  • Administration
  • Education
  • Monitoring
  • Use
• Cultivate expertise in regulatory and accreditation requirements, including Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations, Joint Commission Medication Management Standards and National Patient Safety Goals, and California Board of Pharmacy laws
• Apply performance improvement principles (e.g., Plan Do Study Act, Lean Six Sigma)
• Optimize technology and automation to support safe and efficient medication-use workflows
• Design robust drug utilization reviews and comprehensive audits to assess the medication-use system and measure improvement outcomes
• Strengthen verbal and written communication skills by developing policies, guidelines, and reports, presenting at multidisciplinary committees, and composing a research manuscript
• Lead teams and task forces focusing on safety, compliance, or quality
• Complete a Teaching Certificate through Chapman University School of Pharmacy

Required Learning Experiences

MEDICATION SAFETY I & II
These two learning experiences will introduce the resident to foundational concepts that will be applied to augmenting safeguards within the medication-use system.

ADULT HEMATOLOGY
The resident will focus on safety considerations in regimens used for AML, ALL, stem cell transplant, and CAR-T cell therapy. Considerations for evaluating preventability of adverse drug reactions (e.g., administration/timing of pre-medications, titration guidelines) will be highlighted.

INPATIENT OPERATIONS / CLINIC OPERATIONS
These two learning experiences focus on enhancing safety and quality within inpatient workflows and ambulatory operations. The resident will be exposed to critical drug dispensing procedures performed in the Main Pharmacy and clinic pharmacies.

COMPLIANCE AND REGULATORY
This rotation will provide an understanding of compliance with accreditation standards and regulations, including survey readiness and constructing survey response plans. The resident will design and perform audits to address compliance issues and support the hospital’s Medication Error Reduction Program (MERP). There will also be opportunities to collaborate with the department of Quality and Risk Compliance.

CLINICAL INFORMATICS
The resident will evaluate electronic health record medication builds, order sets and chemotherapy treatment plans for design improvements to maximize safety and Clinical Pathways enhancement.

AUTOMATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Safety options employed with various technologies (e.g., infusion pumps with dose error reduction software, medication barcode scanning, automated dispensing cabinets, RFID tray replenishment system) will be covered.

FORMULARY MANAGEMENT AND DRUG USE POLICY
This learning experience is centered around formulary management principles and evidence-based reviews. The resident will also formulate a strategy for handling a drug shortage and become familiar with the organization’s recall management system.

COMMUNITY CLINIC 
The resident will be exposed to the unique compliance and safety issues of community infusion practice at Lennar Foundation Cancer Center.

Longitudinal Learning Experiences

MEDICATION SAFETY LEADERSHIP
The resident will participate in various multidisciplinary committees and activities throughout the year to gain a comprehensive understanding of the medication-use process and system improvements. The resident will investigate medication events, assess severity and stage of the medication use process, and prepare monthly reports for presentation to Safe Medication Committee and P&T Committee. This longitudinal experience will also give the resident an opportunity to mentor and oversee the interns and PGY1 residents in their monthly analysis of adverse drug reactions.

RESEARCH PROJECT
The resident will complete a research project, including preparation of a manuscript and formal presentation at a departmental, institutional or regional/national professional medical meeting.

TEACHING CERTIFICATE
The resident will earn a teaching certificate through Chapman University School of Pharmacy, gaining an expanded skill set to utilize in a variety of roles as an educator, including lecturer, facilitator, and preceptor.

Elective Learning Experiences

Investigational Drug Services
Pharmacy Administration
Medication Use Safety Health Economics and Outcomes Research [Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD)]
Automation and Technology II [Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD)]
*Additional elective learning experiences may be developed based on the resident’s interests.

Program Contact