Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many residents do you accept?
8 residents for the 2025-2026 residency year, which starts June/July, 2025.
2. Is this program accredited?
Yes. Our Program is fully accredited with the Canadian Pharmacy Residency Board. This means that successful graduates from our Program will receive their ACPR designation, which stands for "Accredited Canadian Pharmacy Residency Program".
3. Where will I live during my residency?
Upon acceptance into our program, our residents will choose to complete their Interior Health Residency Program from one of two home sites, called Residency Pods. Having a home site will allow residents to integrate into the departments where they are completing their residency and aid in building connections within their home site. Residents also have the opportunity to complete rotations at other sites in Interior Health, which enhances the diversity of their residency experiences.
Residents in each Residency Pod complete the same program curriculum, including the same core rotations, and have access to the same elective rotations. Residents in both Residency Pods will also participate in the Interior Health Pharmacy Resident Academic Half Day Program and Resident Mentorship Program and will have access to the same list of available residency projects from which to select their residency project.
- Kamloops Pod (2 Residents)
- Based at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops
- Residents in the Kamloops Pod will live in Kamloops
- All core rotations will take place at Royal Inland Hospital
- Residents will have the opportunity to complete elective rotations at sites across Interior Health
- Kelowna Pod (6 Residents)
- Based at Kelowna General Hospital in Kelowna
- Residents in the Kelowna Pod will live in Kelowna
- Core rotations will take place at Kelowna General Hospital, Royal Inland Hospital, Penticton Regional Hospital, Vernon Jubilee Hospital and Kootenay Boundary Hospital
- Residents will have the opportunity to complete elective rotations at sites across Interior Health
4. Will I get assigned to my preferred Residency Pod choice?
Upon acceptance into our program, our residents will have an opportunity to specify their preference for a particular Residency Pod. Every effort will be made to assign residents to their preferred Residency Pod. Residents in each Residency Pod complete the same program curriculum.
5. How many rotations will I complete outside of my Residency Pod home site?
Residents in both the Kamloops Pod and Kelowna Pod will likely complete 2-3 direct patient care rotations outside of their home site, depending on where they choose to complete their elective rotations. Non-direct patient care rotations will take place at the resident's home site.
Providing residents with the opportunity to complete rotations outside of their home site, enhances the diversity of their rotation experience, exposes residents to new practice settings and enriches their overall residency experience.
6. Is there a stipend to help cover travel and accommodation costs?
Our residents will receive reimbursement to cover travel and accommodation costs for rotations completed outside their home site (Kelowna or Kamloops). The Program has a list of accommodation options close to all rotation sites. The resident will receive reimbursement to cover travel and accommodation costs for all core and elective rotations completed outside of their home site.
7. What kind of support is available to Interior Health residents?
Our program has many layers of support available to residents. This includes the Program Coordinator and Program Director, their preceptors, their fellow residents and the staff at their rotation sites. All of the individuals involved in the Program are very familiar with what it is like to be resident and challenges and triumphs associated with this and are committed to making this the best possible experience for our residents. Residents meet regularly throughout the year with the Program Coordinator. In addition, our residents are paired with three mentors, who can act as an extra support person throughout the residency year.
8. Will I have a work space to call home during my residency?
Yes. Residents are given an office space at Kelowna General Hospital and at Royal Inland Hospital to make their own. This space includes a desk, full computer (including laptop, monitor and docking station). Resident work space is also provided when on rotation at Vernon Jubilee Hospital, Kootenay Lake Hospital, Penticton Regional Hospital and Kootenay Boundary Hospital. Our residents are also provided with the necessary equipment, including a laptop and iPhone, with access to online medication and medical resources, that they can use throughout their residencies.
9. What type of employment arrangement do I enter into when I accept a position with the Interior Health Pharmacy Residency Program?
Soon after matching with the Interior Health Pharmacy Residency Program, you will receive a Letter of Offer which outlines these terms.
2025-2026 Residency Year
You are entering into a 1-year term contract with Interior Health. You may choose to enter into the Residency Training Agreement. In return, you will commit to working as a Grade 2 Clinical Pharmacist within Interior Health Pharmacy Services for 12 months following the completion of your residency program.
For the 2025-2026 residency year, you will be paid:
- If you choose to enter into the Residency Training Agreement
- You will be paid a stipend (wages and salary) totalling: $53,000
- Tuition fee will be waived
- If you choose not to enter into the Residency Training Agreement
- You will be paid a stipend totalling: $28,000
- You will pay tuition totalling: $15,000.
10. Does this mean that in order to complete a residency with Interior Health, I have to enter into the Residency Training Agreement?
No. However, regardless of whether you enter into the Residency Training Agreement, we hope that you would still like to work for us when you are done your residency.
11. If I enter into the Residency Training Agreement, am I going to get the job that I want when I am done my residency or will I get placed somewhere?
This is explained in the Residency Training Agreement. Residents will have an opportunity to select from and apply to the available positions within Interior Health Pharmacy Services. Every effort will be made to match the resident to the available position that they have selected. We work with our residents to find the position that best suits them. In addition, once hired and a member of the Health Sciences Professionals Bargaining Association, you would have the same status as any other staff pharmacist in our department, including the ability to apply for jobs that become available throughout our region, provided you qualify for them.
12. Will I be let go after I complete the one year of employment after residency?
Our hope is that you will find Interior Health Pharmacy Services an enjoyable and rewarding place to work and that you will continue to work with us for many years to come. Nothing about the Residency Training Agreement is meant to imply that our desire to have you work for us ends after any particular period of time.
13. Once employed as a clinical pharmacist, what happens if I need to go on maternity or parental leave?
As a clinical pharmacist, the Health Sciences Professionals Bargaining Association covers you. All leaves and rights are applicable under the said agreement. Upon return from your leave, you will resume the remainder of your commitment to the employer.
14. How much vacation would I get as a resident?
Two weeks (10 working days) paid vacation.
15. Will I have the opportunity to attend a conference during my residency?
Our residents receive a stipend to attend a conference during their residency, as well as time away from rotation to attend the conference. Residents are also encouraged to attend other conferences or educational events, such as CSHP events, as their schedules allow.
16. I am currently working as an Interior Health pharmacist, do I get preferential consideration when applying to the Interior Health Pharmacy Residency Program?
No.
17. Are there jobs in Interior Health for when I am done my residency?
Yes. This an exciting time to be in Interior Health. The Interior Health Pharmacy Department is growing. There are many opportunities for residency-trained Clinical Pharmacists throughout our region, this includes positions in the large tertiary care centres, as well as the smaller rural hospitals. We work with our residents to find the position that best suits them.
18. Will I get benefits as a resident?
Yes. You will get dental and extended health benefits in addition to your salary as a resident.
More Questions?
Contact the Program Coordinator.