Pharmacy Residency Program

Mission statement

The goal of Largo Hospital Pharmacy Residency Program is to develop a highly qualified independent pharmacy practitioner able to ensure safe and effective medication use, manage their practice, and advance pharmaceutical knowledge through educational and scholarly activities.

Common purpose

We make a difference by providing compassionate care to those we are privileged to serve.

Program purpose statement

The Largo Hospital PGY1 residency program builds upon Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) education and outcomes to develop clinical pharmacists with knowledge, skills, and abilities as defined in the educational competency areas, goals and objectives. Residents who successfully complete PGY1 residency programs will be skilled in diverse patient care, practice management, leadership, and education, and be prepared to provide direct patient care, seek board certification in pharmacotherapy (i.e., BCPS) and pursue advanced education and training opportunities, including postgraduate year two (PGY2) residencies.

About HCA Florida Largo Hospital

The story began in the early 1970’s with a belief that local residents deserved access to advanced medical procedures. This idea ultimately led to the opening of a state-of-the-art, 246-bed facility with a focus on cardiac care in 1978.

As of today, HCA Florida Largo Hospital is a Joint Commission accredited, 455-bed statutory teaching hospital located in mid-Pinellas county in the Tampa Bay area on the west coast of Florida which serves the community via three campuses, each with 24-hour emergency room access.

HCA Florida Largo Hospital serves 3 principal roles:

First, we are a community hospital providing comprehensive care to residents of Pinellas County.
Second, we are a statutory teaching hospital contributing to the training of the next generation of healthcare providers.
And third, we are a regional referral center for certain high-complexity clinical programs that serve patients from a broader geography that extends well beyond Pinellas County.

These regional programs include:

Solid organ transplantation (heart, liver, and kidney)
Advanced cardiac care
Comprehensive stroke center with advanced neuro-interventional procedures
Complex GI and hepatobiliary cases

Our experienced HCA Florida Largo Hospital pharmacists- are part of a collaborative care team.

Pharmacy services include:

Antimicrobial stewardship
Anticoagulation stewardship
Mechanical Circulatory Support (LVAD)
Nutrition support
Transplant with Transition of care

We leverage technologies such as:

Smart infusion pumps
Expansive use of automated dispensing
Bedside barcode scanning
Clinical pharmacy workflow systems
CPOE/eMAR to promote safe medication practices

Eligibility and application

Applicants must be graduates or candidates for graduation from an Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) accredited doctor of pharmacy program.
Licensed or eligible to apply for a license to practice pharmacy in the state of Florida. All being selected residents MUST be licensed in the state of Florida within 90 days from the start of the residency.
Participate in the ASHP Residency Matching Program
Completed application submitted to PhORCAS prior to January 5, and include:

Letter of intent
Copy of pharmacy school transcript
Three professional references/evaluations submitted via PhORCAS
Curriculum vitae

Selection process

Considerations during the selection process will include professional competence, achievements, communication skills, and leadership potential. An interview with HCA Florida Largo Hospital is required. Information regarding interview format will be provided with the interview invitation.

Program requirements

QI research project
Manuscript of project, which must be eligible for journal publishing
Medication Use Evaluation project
Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee
Poster presentation at ASHP Midyear Meeting
Presentation at Florida Residency Conference
Continuing Education seminar
GME Grand Rounds presentation
Operational pharmacist staffing coverage every other weekend in addition to one major and one minor holiday.

PGY1 clinical rotations

Clinical rotations include required rotations to develop skill sets as a generalist as well as elective rotations to allow the residents to tailor the program to their areas of interest.

Core rotations:

Orientation (4 weeks)
Internal Medicine (4 weeks)
Surgical Service OR (4 weeks)
Critical Care I / II (8 weeks)
Clinical Administration (4 weeks)
Research Methods (4 weeks)

Longitudinal Experience:

Infectious Diseases with 4-concetrated blocks
QI Research Project
Dissemination of knowledge with Teaching Certificate
Pharmacy Operations
Pharmacy Management

Elective Rotations:

Solid Organ Transplant with Transition of Care
Emergency Medicine
Cardiothoracic Surgical ICU with Mechanical Circulatory Support
Mental Health

Salary, benefits and working conditions

Detailed information about salary, benefits and amenities will be provided to pharmacy residents by Human Resources.

Competitive stipend
Program duration: 12 months
Start Date: July 1
10 days of paid time off (PTO)
Approved educational and professional leave to attend ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and the Florida Residency Conference. Financial assistance is provided for travel, meals and lodging.
Residents are eligible for health benefits as full-time pharmacist employees of Northside Hospital
401(k) matching
Liability coverage
Office space and resources
Entertainment, health, shopping, and other discounts and amenities via HCA Rewards
Onsite parking

Pharmacy team

Pharmacy Residency Preceptors team at HCA Florida Largo Hospital offers a unique background that brings a diverse mix of experience and training to our program.

Contact information

If you have any questions about the Pharmacy Residency Program, our hospital or our community, please feel free to contact:

Monika Ragan, PharmD, BCCCP
PGY-1 Residency Program Director
Clinical Coordinator
Phone: (727) 588-5767
Email Monika Ragan

Pharmacy Residency Program at HCA Florida Largo Hospital