In addition, the advancements in technology and health sciences have made a profound effect on the manner in which pharmacy and medicine are practiced today. The quantity of information and methods of access (e.g., wireless) are increasing at an extraordinary rate.

Pharmacists must be able to systematically locate, analyze, and deliver the information in an efficient manner to meet the needs of the requester and/or institution. However, pharmacists must be cautious of researched materials and/or other information presented to them. Misleading information is present among the publications; therefore, all health-care professionals needs to have the ability to evaluate and interpret biomedical literature to appropriately apply in practice.
 

Drug Information Education Activities

Information Systems PHRD 303 (Required 1 semester hour class during 1st professional year)
Drug Literature Evaluation PHRD 527 (Required 3 semester hour class during 3rd professional year)
Drug Information Clerkship PHRD 606 (Required 4 semester hour advanced practice experience)
Pedagogics PHRD 660 (Elective, 4 semester hour advanced practice experience)
Advanced Drug Information Clerkship (Elective, 4 semester hour advanced practice experience)

 THE TRAINING SITE
The Samford University Global Drug Information Service is a fee-for-service operation housed in the McWhorter School of Pharmacy in Birmingham, Alabama. This unique center provides comprehensive drug information services to over 15 clients within a variety of healthcare settings (e.g. hospitals, managed care, nursing homes). These services include committee support (P&T, IRB), formulary management, policy and procedure development, and DUE and ADR programs. Information services are provided to health care providers by drug information specialists, drug information specialty resident, a school of pharmacy librarian, and clerical staff.

Samford University, a comprehensive, private institution located on a beautiful campus five miles south of the Birmingham city center, offers programs of academic excellence in the context of a Christian community. Candidates should demonstrate their commitment to the Christian mission of the University. The McWhorter School of Pharmacy offers an entry level Pharm.D. curriculum and graduates approximately 120 professionals each year. The school is committed to local, regional, national and international collaborative efforts in teaching, practice and research.

 THE CANDIDATE
The Drug Information Resident applicant must have received a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from a School of Pharmacy accredited by the Accreditation Council of Pharmacy Education (ACPE) before beginning the residency program. The candidate must have a U.S. pharmacy license. Completion of a generalized Pharmacy Practice Residency before starting the Drug Information Specialized Residency is desired but not required.

 THE RESIDENT'S OPPORTUNITIES
The resident will receive balanced instruction to improve verbal and written communication plus decision-making and problem solving skills essential for drug information practice. Activities to enhance these skills include service (drug information, administration, clinical, ambulatory care), education, research (project appropriate for publication), and teaching didactic/experiential courses to entry level Pharm.D. students. Elective rotations are available. Rotations are tailored to the interests of the resident.

 APPLICATION
Notice~~This application is for pharmacy residents only, NOT for pharmacy school admission. For admission application materials/information to the McWhorter School of Pharmacy, click here.

Candidates should submit a letter of intent, curriculum vitae, and two letters of recommendation by January 18, 2008 to:

To view and print a Resident Application Form in Acrobat Reader, click here. The Acrobat Reader program may be obtained at the Adobe Acrobat site.

1. Service
2. Education
3. Research

 SERVICE ACTIVITIES
Assist the Drug Information faculty in successfully accomplishing the commitments and responsibilities of the SUGDIS:

SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING:

1. Respond to drug information requests from health care professionals
2. Participate in formulary development, evaluation, and maintenance
3. Assume the responsibility of Assistant Editor of quarterly newsletter publication Pharmacy Precis
4. Assist in preparing the weekly newsletter publications CLIPs (Current Literature and Information for Pharmacists) and New Drug FAX Sheet
5. Share the on-call service responsibility with the Drug Information faculty
6. Provide committee support (e.g., P&T, IRB)
7. Assist in the design of drug policy and procedures
8. Assist with the Antibiotic Management Programs
9. Provide JCAHO accreditation assistance
10. Develop DUE/MUE criteria and collect DUE/MUE data
11. Collect and analyze ADR data/information
12. Partake in "medication error" activities

1. Precept Pharm.D. students enrolled in required Drug Information clerkship.
2. Present selected lectures and assist with the laboratory component of the following courses:
   1. PHRD 303 - Information Systems course and laboratory (1st year students)
   2. PHRD 527 - Drug Literature Evaluation (3rd year students)

      Also, the drug information resident (in addition to the drug information faculty) will be responsible for facilitating students progression in the completion of individual and group drug information course projects.

1. Conduct a research project suitable for publication and presentation at a Scientific or Professional meeting
2. Present the research project at the following professional meetings:
   1. Southeastern Residency Conference (Late Spring)
   2. One (or more if permitted) of the following pharmacy-related meetings (if time permits):
      1. ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting
      2. ASHP Annual Meeting
      3. ACCP Meeting
      4. Managed Care-related meeting
      5. State or local pharmacy organization meeting

1. Resident Stipend: $32,000 / 12 months, plus $2,000 to defray the cost of health insurance.
2. Vacation/Sick/Professional Leave: A total of eighteen working days for personal time-off, sick leave, and attendance at professional meetings or interviewing with prospective employers. The department and center will fund attendance to selected profession meeting(s).
3. Holidays: Days listed in University academic calendar (selected days subject to service requirements)
4. Parking: FREE and convenient

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