Residents who successfully complete PGY2 residency programs are prepared for advanced patient care or other specialized positions, and board certification in the advanced practice area, if available. PGY2 pharmacy residencies in pain management and palliative care are designed to transition PGY1 pharmacy residency graduates from generalist practice to specialized practice focused on the pain management and palliative care needs of patients. The resident is expected to become an integral component of the multi-disciplinary team and work with physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and other health care professionals on a daily basis. Under the guidance of three pain management and palliative care specialists, clinical pharmacy specialists in other disciplines, and physicians trained in anesthesiology, addiction recovery, trauma, and palliative care, the resident will develop professional confidence and clinical skills.
Residency graduates are equipped to participate as essential members of interdisciplinary pain management and palliative care teams and are able to make complex therapeutic recommendations in various practice settings. Training focuses on developing residents’ capabilities to deal with a range of pain syndromes, including chronic malignant and non-malignant pain, neuropathic pain, and pain related to neurologic, orthopedic and rheumatologic conditions. Palliative care emphasis is placed on symptom management throughout patients’ illnesses and at the end of life.
In addition to these direct patient care responsibilities, pain management and palliative care pharmacy residency graduates are trained to serve as authoritative resources in their health systems for the optimal use of medications. In that role they can be relied upon to lead the development and implementation of medication-related guidelines and protocols for pain management and palliative care, and the development of pain management and palliative care related services. Graduates are also highly skilled in the design and delivery of education and training related to pain management and palliative care for patients and/or caregivers, as well as health care professionals and health care professionals in training. Graduates are also skilled in both clinical practice research and in outcomes analyses.
Outcomes designated by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists include the following, which the resident will complete throughout the residency year:
At 910 beds, Lakeland Regional Health is among the largest hospitals in Florida with one of the busiest stand-alone Emergency Departments in the nation with a designated comprehensive stroke, primary chest, and level 1 trauma center. The hospital encompasses an 18 bed palliative care unit, a dedicated acute oncology unit, and a recently expanded behavioral health unit. As a not‑for‑profit organization committed to innovation, patient safety, and community wellness, LRH provides residents with exposure to diverse patient populations across both inpatient and outpatient settings, creating a strong foundation for advanced clinical practice.
Pain management residents will benefit from rotational experiences that encompass patient populations with diverse medical conditions and disease states with focus on acute and chronic pain, oncology, trauma, palliative/hospice care, and psychiatry. Expanded experiences include addiction recovery, interventional pain management, trauma critical care, and the emergency department. Longitudinal experiences in research, precepting, presenting, and opioid stewardship focus on interdisciplinary collaboration with a supportive environment and strong mentorship. LRH’s resident-centered environment encourages self-development as well as building autonomy and professional identity. Graduates emerge well-equipped to advance and/or develop new pain services with a solid foundation of professional skills across any care setting.
At 910 beds, Lakeland Regional Health is among the largest hospitals in Florida with one of the busiest stand-alone Emergency Departments in the nation. With a diverse rural population, the pathology and patient variety is unmatched. The program is uniquely designed to offer enriching experiences and a resident-tailored curriculum that exposes them to specialty areas in pharmacy.
Residents will complete focused and intense clinical training mentored by board-certified preceptors with a variety of backgrounds and expertise. Residents will gain hands-on experience and exposure to high acuity patients throughout their clinical rotations. This includes the core rotations allowing exposure to Infectious Diseases, Critical Care, Emergency Medicine, Ambulatory Care, and Pain Management. Residents gain ample experience in responding to medical emergencies through code response. Moreover, our program provides guidance as residents hone their research and presentation skills.
Whether choosing to pursue a career immediately following residency or opting for specialized training through a PGY2 residency, this program equips residents with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their chosen path and become leaders in pharmacy.
Intensification of any core required experience can be made available as an elective based on the resident’s interest and preceptor availability (1 month)
Intensification of required rotation
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Emergency Medicine
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Emergency Medicine
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Oncology
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Critical Care & Trauma
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Emergency Medicine
Clinical Pharmacist, Mental Health & Addictions Recovery
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Pain Management & Palliative Care
Pharmacy Clinical Coordinator, Emergency Medicine
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Pain Management and Palliative Care
Director, PGY-2 Pain Management and Palliative Care
Lakeland Regional Health
863.687.1100 extension 7789
June.vasquez@myLRH.org