What is the Teaching Certificate Program?
Graduates of the Pharmacy Residency Program at West Virginia University Medicine often seek careers in academia or clinical positions that have responsibilities associated with teaching and/or precepting. Sufficient preparation for this instructional role is a needed component to better equip our residents with the tools necessary for a successful career. Additionally, many of today’s preceptors and faculty members state that they were not fully prepared for instruction in professional program settings. However, at West Virginia University Medicine and School of Pharmacy, multiple teaching opportunities exist for residents to hone these skills and be prepared for a career that includes teaching as a component.
Who can participate?
All pharmacy residents associated with West Virginia University Medicine are invited to participate. However, participation is optional for all PGY-1 and PGY-2 residents. You also can participate in any individual component of the program even if you do not participate in the Teaching Certificate Program.
What is the purpose of the program?
The Teaching Certificate Program is designed to introduce residents to academic literature, contemporary pharmacy education, teaching styles, and philosophies. This program aims to enhance participants' teaching skills by providing knowledge of proven and successful educational techniques. By engaging in didactic participation, completing formal teaching experiences, and developing a teaching portfolio, participants will not only gain a deeper understanding of effective instructional strategies but also acquire practical experience through hands-on activities and real-world teaching.
Will I receive a certificate?
Each participant who completes all program requirements will be awarded a certificate of completion at the conclusion of the year, positioning participants for additional residency training or career opportunities as an adjunct or fulltime faculty member. The certificate is awarded on behalf of West Virginia University Medicine and the West Virginia University School of Pharmacy and demonstrates a commitment to teaching excellence.
How am I evaluated?
Each teaching experience is evaluated by the teaching mentor, and participant self-assessment and student audience (if applicable). Through constructive feedback, the program fosters continuous improvement and reflective practice. Participants will also benefit from networking opportunities with fellow educators and professionals.
Residents who are engaged in the conduct of experiential education (e.g., student rotations) will have their teaching experiences evaluated by the student(s). All of these evaluations should be included in the participant’s teaching portfolio – a showcase of your teaching practices.
What are the program requirements?
In addition to the teaching requirements of all PGY1 residents, those in the Teaching Certificate Program will also complete:
- Lecture Series – “Learning To Teach, Teaching to Learn”
This lecture series provides residents with a practical opportunity to develop and refine their teaching skills for higher education and pharmacy. Led by WVU School of Pharmacy faculty, the course combines educational theory with specific teaching practices used in higher education and pharmacy programs. Residents will actively engage in weekly in-person sessions, preparing for and participating in discussions, debates, and other learning activities. This course is designed to give residents the tools and experience needed to effectively teach in their future roles. - Large Group Lecture - Each resident will have the opportunity to deliver one lecture to PharmD students, with guidance and support from a full-time or adjunct faculty member to ensure a valuable learning experience. In addition to preparing and presenting their lecture, residents will design and implement active learning strategies to engage the class and develop assessment tools, including multiple-choice questions, to evaluate student understanding. This hands-on experience will help residents apply their teaching skills in a real-world setting.
- Small Group Teaching – Beyond the required small group teaching activity all PGY1 residents complete each semester, residents enrolled in the teaching certificate program will engage in an additional practicum or skills-based small group activity each semester. This provides them with additional hands-on experience and opportunities to further develop their teaching skills.
- Teaching Philosophy – Each resident will develop a written teaching philosophy, reflecting their personal values and goals within the context of higher education. This statement is designed to articulate the resident's approach to teaching and learning, guiding their educational practices and interactions. The completed philosophy statement is completed as part of the “Learning to Teach/Teaching to Learn” course.
- Teaching Portfolio – At the end of the program, each participant will submit a teaching portfolio to confirm that all program elements have been completed. The initial evaluation of the portfolio will occur at the conclusion of the “Learning to Teach/Teaching to Learn” class during the Fall semester. This portfolio serves as a comprehensive record of the participant's teaching achievements and experiences throughout the program.
Additional Information
1. Small Group Teaching
- Teaching Exposure: As a PGY1 resident, you will gain experience teaching in a small group environment during the fall semester and spring semesters to students enrolled in the Doctor of Pharmacy program at West Virginia University – in the Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center building which is connected to WVU Medicine. Each resident’s teaching focuses on advancing student skills (such as preparing sterile compounds) or evaluating student performance (in objective structured clinical examinations) in two small group class sessions each semester. Teaching is always under the guidance of a faculty member or experienced pharmacist.
2. Patient Education
- Hands-On Experience: You will be involved in patient discharge counseling, focusing on home medication regimens during specific clinical rotations. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to provide patient education in the ambulatory clinic (when applicable), discussing disease states, drug therapy, and adjustments to treatment plans.
3. Continuing Education Presentation
- Professional Development: Deliver a 50-minute Continuing Education presentation aimed at enhancing knowledge on drug therapy and its application in clinical practice. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with content experts to ensure a well-prepared and impactful presentation.
4. Mentor to First Year and Second Year Pharmacy Students
- Leadership Development: Facilitate a site visit for first year pharmacy students, where you will help them observe pre-rounding and interdisciplinary rounds. Your role is to guide their understanding of the clinical pharmacist’s role within the interdisciplinary team.
- Host second year students for a two-week introductory experience in institutional pharmacy. You will provide them with a day’s worth of observation, including patient care activities and meetings. This experience typically occurs in May-June.
5. Elective Teaching Experience
- Mentoring Opportunity: Conduct a session for third year students in the Residency Preparedness Elective. Your session will assist students in a topic related to residency preparation, such as preparing for residency applications, understanding expectations, and navigating interviews. These requirements offer valuable opportunities for professional growth and contribute to the development of future pharmacy practitioners.
5. Additional Opportunities
- For residents interested in exploring teaching to a greater extent, residents can complete a 5-week focused teaching rotation at the School of Pharmacy or elect to participate in additional teaching experiences. In addition, residents can choose to participate in the Resident Teaching Certificate Program managed by the WVU School of Pharmacy.