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PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program

CommonSpirit Memorial Hospital

Program Description

This is a 12-month, ASHP-accredited, PGY1 pharmacy residency offered by Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This residency program is designed to prepare pharmacists for advanced level practice at a community-based hospital. Residents, supported on every side with a multidisciplinary healthcare team, are responsible and accountable for the provision and oversight of evidence-based, patient centered medication-related outcomes. Residents also develop a strong foundation in pharmacotherapy, operational, and practice management skills.

Image of hospital employees in conversation

Program Highlights

Memorial Hospital pharmacists practice in an innovative environment and are valuable members of the healthcare team.

  • Pharmacists are decentralized with a presence in the emergency department, all ICUs and all medical floors.
  • The pharmacy is equipped with advanced technology along with systems that promote safe and effective medication use.
  • Pharmacists hold advanced degrees, residency training, board certification, and years of distribution and management experience.
  • Residents will experience comprehensive training where they will work closely with a multidisciplinary health care team. They provide evidence-based, patient-centered care, focusing on medication-related outcomes.
  • Residents deliver in-services for staff and patients, precept pharmacy students, and lead continuing education presentations. They join multidisciplinary rounds, participate in the P&T Committee and conduct a major research project.
Image of pharmacist at work
Image of Karen Babb

Welcome Message from Program Director

Dear Prospective Applicant,

Thank you for your interest in our PGY1 pharmacy residency program at CommonSpirit Memorial and for your commitment to continued professional development. Serving the Chattanooga community for more than 65 years and strengthened as part of CommonSpirit, Memorial Hospital offers a continuum of care including preventative, primary and acute hospital care, as well as
cardiac, cancer, orthopedic, imaging, bariatric, general surgery, and a multitude of other services. Memorial Hospital is a regional referral center of choice with more than 4,600 associates and more than 650 affiliated physicians providing health care throughout Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia.

As a resident at CommonSpirit Memorial, you will engage in diverse learning experiences designed to develop a well-rounded practitioner and future leader in pharmacy practice. Our ASHP-accredited program focuses on direct patient care and practice management, building skills in a variety of acute care settings. Caring for the highest acuity patients in the state, our hospital provides residents with invaluable experience and confidence in managing the most complex disease states.

What sets our program apart is our deeply ingrained culture of humankindness and personalized mentorship. You will become part of our family from the very first day. Concurrently, our dedicated preceptors are fully invested not just in your clinical development, but also in your professional well-being, helping you tailor your residency path to match your unique career aspirations.

I am excited by the prospect of welcoming dedicated individuals to our PGY1 program, ready to contribute to our mission of providing excellent and compassionate care.

Sincerely,

Karen Babb, PharmD
Residency Program Director

Learning Experiences

Required Learning Experiences:

The program includes required rotations in Anticoagulation, Cardiology, Critical Care, Drug Information, Emergency Medicine, Hospital Pharmacy Practice (staffing), Infectious Disease, Internal Medicine, Medication Safety, Nutrition Support, Orientation, Opioid Stewardship/Pain Management, Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacy Management, Research, Teaching Certificate.

Additional Learning Experiences:

Informatics, Nephrology, Oncology, Psychiatry, Surgery Pharmacy or the opportunity to repeat any required rotation.

Training Locations

CommonSpirit Memorial Hospital

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Compensation & Benefits

Salary

$54,000

Health & Wellness

Medical, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance
Onsite Gym Membership

Time Away & Flexibility

Paid Vacation Time

Financial & Retirement

Opportunity to Moonlight Within the Department
401(k) Retirement Plan

Professional Benefits & Perks

Travel Allowance to ASHP Midyear & SERC
ACLS Certification
Dedicated Office Space
Discounted Meals
Free Parking

Our Community

Nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains along the winding Tennessee River, Chattanooga is a rare gem that combines the amenities of a mid-sized metropolitan area with the soul of a mountain town. It is a city of "firsts" and rapid growth, consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the U.S. Chattanooga is unmatched. It is centrally located in the Southeast, within a 2-hour drive of Nashville, Atlanta, and Birmingham. Within minutes of downtown, you can hike, rock climb, kayak, or cycle. It is a world-class destination for outdoor activities. From the iconic Lookout Mountain to the Tennessee Riverpark (a 16-mile greenway), the natural beauty is integrated into the city’s daily life. The city also offers a sophisticated food scene, an active arts district, and world-class attractions like the Tennessee Aquarium. For healthcare professionals looking to settle down, Chattanooga is highly competitive.

Compared to major coastal cities, your paycheck goes significantly further here. The lack of state income tax in Tennessee is a major financial benefit. Lastly, Chattanooga is world-famous for being the first city in the U.S. to provide ultra-high-speed, community-wide fiber optic internet. This has turned the city into a magnet for tech-forward companies, remote workers, and a thriving entrepreneurial spirit.

Image of Chattanooga, Tennessee

How to Apply

Applicants must:

  • Be a graduate of an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)-accredited Doctor of Pharmacy degree program.
  • Be eligible for licensure in the state of TN
  • Submit the following:
    • Detailed letter of interest
    • Current curriculum vitae
    • Official pharmacy school transcripts
    • Three letters of recommendation through the Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application Service (PhORCAS®) website ashp.org/phorcas
    • Participate in the ASHP Resident Matching Program
    • Submit all requirements to PhORCAS® by January 3

Faculty and Residents

Our pharmacy residents are talented professionals dedicated to advancing patient care and the practice of pharmacy. Throughout their residency, they work closely with exceptional preceptors, experienced pharmacists who share their knowledge and expertise to guide, mentor and inspire the next generation of pharmacy leaders.

Learn More

Contact Information

Karen Babb
karen.babb@commonspirit.org

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CommonSpirit Health™ will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c). External hires must pass a post-offer, pre-employment background check/drug screen. Qualified applicants with an arrest and/or conviction will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with federal and state laws, as well as applicable local ordinances, ban the box laws, including but not limited to the San Francisco and Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinances. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by telephone at (415) 438-5575 and let us know the nature of your request. We will only respond to messages left that involve a request for a reasonable accommodation in the application process. We will accommodate the needs of any qualified candidate who requests a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). CommonSpirit Health™ participates in E-Verify.