Pharmacy - PGY2 Critical Care

Learn about the program: Purpose Statement | Hospital Information | Program Overview | Benefits & Compensation | How to Apply

Program Faculty

Nune Zadikian, Pharm.D., BCCCP
Director, PGY2 Critical Care Pharmacy Residency
UVM Medical Center
Email: nune [dot] zadikianatuvmhealth [dot] org


Purpose Statement

PGY2 residency program builds on Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) education and PGY1 pharmacy residency programs to develop pharmacist practitioners with knowledge, skills, and abilities in the specialized area of Critical Care. Residents who successfully complete an accredited PGY2 pharmacy residency are prepared for advanced patient care, academic, or other specialized positions, along with board certification. 


Critical Care Hospital Information

The UVM Medical Center has an annual census of ~65,000 visits and serves as the state's only designated Level I Trauma Center, Primary Stroke Center, provides 24-hour cardiac catheterization services and is associated with the Vermont Children's Hospital. The specialized residency in critical care is a 12-month program focusing on expanding pharmacotherapy knowledge and application to the critically ill patient population. The residency will be individualized to meet specific goals of each resident.


Program Overview

Available Rotations* (Length varies) 

  • Orientation 
  • Surgical ICU (2 months) 
  • Medical ICU (2 months) 
  • Infectious disease 
  • Emergency Medicine 
  • Clinical administration 
  • Pediatric ICU  

*Subject to preceptor availability. Other learning experiences are available upon request per discussion with RPD and typically occur later in the year. 

Required Longitudinal Experiences 

  • Case Conference/Journal Club/Drug Information 
  • Grand Rounds (1 hour CE program per year) 
  • Formal Lecture (1 hour CE program at VtSHP Annual Meeting) 
  • Medical Emergency Response 
  • Monthly Critical Care Clinical Staffing 
  • Medication Safety 
  • Research project: The resident will work with the residency program research coordinator and other members of the pharmacy department and hospital as required and learn the fundamentals of research design and methodology. Several resources for statistical analysis are readily available via a partnership with the University of Vermont. The resident is expected to present the project at the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting. 
  • Professional Development 
  • ACLS/PALS/ATLS/ENLS Certification 
  • ASHP Midyear Meeting 
  • Teaching and preceptorship opportunities 

Teaching and Learning Program 

Pharmacy Residents will be provided with an elective opportunity to participate in a Teaching and Learning Certificate Program.


Benefits and Compensation

  • Salary: $50,854.75 
  • Total Combined-time-off (CTO) earned: 31 days  
    • However, it is the philosophy of the program that cumulative absence will detrimentally affect the learning experience of the residents and will impair their ability to meet program goals. As a result, residents are permitted to take 15 days of CTO for holiday, illness, and family emergencies. The remaining CTO will be paid to the resident at the completion of the program.  
  • Conference, Travel, and Meal Reimbursement 
  • ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting, Vizient Consortium Pharmacy Network Meeting, and Eastern States Residency Program, 
  • Health Insurance 
  • Dental Insurance  
  • Vision Insurance  
  • Disability Insurance  
  • Flexible Spending Account  
  • 403(b) Retirement Plan
  • Employee Discount Program 

Learn more about the benefits for residents at the UVM Medical Center.


How to Apply

The University of Vermont Medical Center participates in the Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application Service (PhORCAS). 

The following candidate application materials must be uploaded into PhORCAS by January 2: 

  • Letter of intent (cover letter)  
  • Curriculum vitae  
  • Three (3) PhORCAS Reference Forms. Supplemental uploads are not required. 
  • Official college transcript 

To ensure full consideration of your application, we highly recommend that you upload your application into PhORCAS well in advance of the deadline. 

Each applicant must be eligible for licensure in the State of Vermont. All residency applicants should be familiar with the requirements for pharmacist licensure which can be found in the following location at https://sos.vermont.gov/pharmacy/ .