University of Waterloo PharmD What’s happening?!

Reflecting back – BScPhm 7 years ago “Co-op” was unfamiliar to all of us travelled around the province to explain it What happened? Employers, like you, saw co-op as an opportunity, embraced it, shaped it and have made our program, our students, and our graduates a great success … THANK YOU! On average 20% more jobs than students on our work terms

Reflecting forward - PharmD uWaterloo approved to offer entry-to-practice PharmD Regular PharmD: Students admitted for Jan 2014 start will be in PharmD program Bridging program (predominantly online): Option for uWaterloo graduates and BScPhm students currently in 3 rd and 4 th year with an anticipated start Jan 2015 Transition program: Current 1 st and 2 nd year uWaterloo students can opt for BScPhm or PharmD Non-traditional program: For non-uWaterloo grads – more info coming soon

PharmD Experiential We are going to keep co-op! –Four co-op paid work terms reduced to three (4 months each) but students still available year round We are adding clinical rotations –Purpose is to ensure students have adequate direct patient care –3 x 2 month Clinical Rotations in the last 8 months of the new PharmD program (Jan to August) –Start Jan 2015 –Thought a lot about how best to deliver these rotations

Pharmacist’s suggestions Longer placements are good More flexibility with scheduling to accommodate site realities Continue having students do their experiential training across the province Get students more engaged with local pharmacy community Local resources to support rotation activities Result: We are delivering our rotations through a community of practice model.

Community of Practice (CoP) “Communities of practice are groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly.” (Etienne Wagner, accessed Aug 12, 2013)

uWaterloo CoP Model Pharmacists/other HCP from community, primary care, hospital, long term care, pharmacy sites who are located in the same geographic area Students will rank and then be assigned to one of CoP in the province CoP will take students (although large regions can take more) uWaterloo cross-appointed Regional Clinical Coordinator organizes the student/preceptor schedules, organizes case discussions… Flexibility in scheduling is allowed/encouraged!

Details Regional Clinical Coordinator (RCC): –part time, paid position (one day per week) –cross-appointed to School of Pharmacy –responsibilities include: recruiting and coordinating local preceptors showcasing the region to prospective students coordinate CoP activities such as orientation to region, case discussions front line assistance for preceptors External Clinical Instructor (ECI) or preceptor: –will be responsible for mentoring, training and assessing students at their sites during rotations

Details Students: –will have 12 months of co-op experience and have worked at different sites in the province –4-6 months in region facilitates travel and accommodation needs Matching: –CoP will be able to “market” their geographic area to students – types of sites, professional activities, local flavour –students will rank their preferences and uWaterloo staff will match Rotations: –direct patient care in a variety of settings –assessment – combination of PLOT and critical activity sign off –interprofessional supervision/feedback encouraged (may even be required)

FAQs When will these PharmD 4 th year Clinical Rotations begin? –Jan 2015 Can I hire co-op and have clinical rotation students at the same time? –Yes, you can hire co-op students to fulfill your special projects/short term needs, plus also have a 4 th year student on clinical rotation

FAQs Who gets paid? ROLEPAID?BY WHOM? Co-op studentStudent employeeYSite (Competitive Interviews) Co-op supervisorSupervisor reviews performance (Co-op) Nn/a 4 th year Clinical Rotation student Student learnerNn/a (Non-competitive Placement) External Clinical Instructor (ECI) Preceptor grades activities (4 th year Clinical Rotation) Nn/a Regional Clinical Coordinator (RCC) Recruits/ coordinates preceptors (4 th year Clinical Rotation) Y (part- time) UW cross-appointment

FAQs How will Regional Clinical Coordinators recruit preceptors (External Clinical Instructors)? –School recognition package could include: university title, e-library access, CE discount How can I apply for the Regional Clinical Coordinator positions? –We will start recruiting in Fall 2013, candidate will need support from region and various pharmacy sites Please contact: Anthony Miller at or at or myself at