Frequently Asked Questions

Year 1 Program Overview

FAQ for Prospective Applicants

Why should I do a pharmacy practice residency?
The following American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) video tells the story. The LMPS Residency Program is comparable to the "PGY1" residency mentioned in this video.

This video is developed by the BC Branch of the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists (CSHP) provides an overview of the many aspects of hospital pharmacy.
Do I need to be licensed and registered as a full pharmacist by the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia to be a year 1 resident?
Yes, all year 1 pharmacy residents are required to be licensed as full pharmacists as soon as they are eligible.
For graduates entering the residency program straight from their undergraduate program, the match will happen while you are still in your 4th year of school. Residents are eligible to start the program while awaiting the results of the required assessments for full pharmacist registration (Jurisprudence Examination and Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada (PEBC) Qualifying Examination-Part 1 (MCQ) and PART II (OSCE).
If you are not fully licensed at the program start date (i.e. awaiting May PEBC results), the results of the assessments must be disclosed to the program coordinators as soon as they are available.
Residents who are fully licensed in other provinces must register as a full pharmacist with the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia. Ensure you allow enough time for your application to be processed so you can provide your registration number to the program coordinators by the program start date. Pharmacist from Canada (CFTA) | College of Pharmacists of British Columbia
What if I am unsuccessful in my PEBC or Jurisprudence exams?
Residents who are unsuccessful on their first attempt of one or more of the required assessments for full pharmacist registration are able to continue in the program on the condition that they are approved by the College of Pharmacists of British Columbia to registered as a “Limited Pharmacist.” Residents must inform their program coordinator, apply for the limited pharmacist license as soon as they are made aware they were unsuccessful and must re-write the required assessment(s) at the next available sitting.
If the resident is unsuccessful on the second attempt the resident will be required to meet with the program director to determine if they are eligible to continue in the program.
What are the primary strengths of the LMPS Residency Program?

Our dedicated preceptors and mentors, our 40+ years of experience in residency training and our unmatched range of learning opportunities available at the various sites across our region deserve your consideration. Many of our alumni are local, national and international leaders of our profession.
How many residents do you train each year?

For the 2025-26 cycle, LMPS will be offering 40 one-year, full-time Year 1 pharmacy residency positions, with a program start date of July 2025.
- 4 are Pediatric-focused
- 36 are Adult Inpatient-focused
For the 2026-2027 cycle, LMPS will be offering 15 institutional Year 1 Adult positions and 2 pediatrics positions.
You're big. Is that better?

During the intense 1-year opportunity that is residency, most desire maximum opportunities for learning with greatest flexibility in tailoring experiences to their own needs and interests. No other program has the triple threat of our dedicated preceptors and mentors, experience in residency training, and breadth of patient-care environments and the invaluable opportunity to learn, laugh, and grow as part of a team of fellow residents.
What if I want to specialize in pediatrics following residency?

The LMPS Residency Program will be offering 2 pediatric-focused residency positions with training based primarily at our major pediatrics training sites, BC Children's and Women's Hospital and Surrey Memorial Hospital.
I notice you have "pods" in your program. What determines which pod I'll be in?

Applicants rank the "LMPS Pediatrics" and "LMPS Adults" components separately in the CSHP PRAMS system. The matching process, therefore, determines whether you're in the Adult Pod or Pediatrics Pod. Once you have matched to our program we determine all of the resident’s preferences for their POD site and match the residents based on their preference and available positions at each POD site.
What type of employment arrangement do I enter when matched/accepted to the LMPS Residency Program?

Estimated Stipend: P1 salary less 15.2% (Wage Schedule N (Pharmacist) as per the HSPBA Collective Agreement and Pharmacy Resident Transition Agreement). Approximately $88,000 for the 54-week employment term.
Benefits Included: Extended Health Benefits (including medical and dental) as per the HSPBA Collective Agreement https://hsabc.org/collective-agreements/health-science-professionals
Vacation/Holiday Leave: Employment term will be 54 weeks with 4 weeks of vacation. Vacation shall be scheduled at the discretion of the Employer, with consideration of the scheduled rotations and requirements of the Residency Program, Resident educational development, and requests from the resident.
What is the the Pharmacy Residents Transition Agreement and what if I complete the program, but don't want to work for Lower Mainland Pharmacy Services?

LMPS requests a return of service upon completion of the program. Residents must declare if they are intending to provide a return of service as a part of their acceptance of the position. Residents who agree to provide a return of service will be required to work for LMPS for 12 months after completion of the program. Residents who decline to provide a return of service must repay a portion of their total wages paid during the residency program. The acceptance or rejection of the return of service will no influence any decisions on admission or graduation from the program.
If no regular clinical pharmacist position is available upon your program completion, you will not be required to provide a return of service.
Do I have to commit to full time employment upon completion of the residency program when entering into the Pharmacy Resident Transition Agreement?

No. However, your commitment to the Lower Mainland Pharmacy Services will be pro-rated. For example, a 1-year full-time commitment equals a 2-year half-time commitment.
Do I get employee benefits while in the residency program?

Yes. Residents will get extended health benefits (including medical and dental) as per the HSPBA Collective Agreement
But I want to pursue a post-graduate Pharm.D. or Year 2 Residency Program after residency. Does the Pharmacy Resident Transition Agreement hinder that?

No. We are gratified when our residents decide to pursue further pharmacy training after residency and they frequently do. You are free to pursue a graduate level Pharm.D., Year 2 residency program or other formal training and defer your post-residency employment commitment to after the completion of your program. Please speak to the program director or coordinator if you area considering this option.
Once employed as a Clinical Pharmacist after residency, 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.
How does my pharmacy practice residency program experience get recognized?
- You are entitled to use the credential "ACPR" in your title
- The program is acknowledged on a University of British Columbia (UBC) transcript
- As per the Health Sciences Professionals Bargaining Association, when you are hired as a clinical pharmacist, your salary will start at step 2 of the grid.
Where do our residents spend their time?

One of the primary strengths of our program is the opportunities it provides for residents to work in and experience the variety of hospital environments in our region. Our residents spend the majority of their time at our major teaching sites, with additional time at other sites, depending on scheduling nuances and electives chosen. Residents are matched to a hospital pod site upon admission into the program and will do the majority of their rotations at their pod site. Our residents have the opportunity to experience diverse and robust learning opportunities, all within the friendly confines of a program that keeps residents connected to each other, their mentors, and their Program Coordinators.
For 2026-2027 our pod sites will be Vancouver General Hospital (6 positions), St. Paul’s Hospital (4 positions), Surrey Memorial Hospital (3 positions), Royal Columbian Hospital (2 positions), Children’s and Women’s Hospital (2 positions-pediatrics)
How does the process of choosing elective rotations work?

Shortly after matching to our program (i.e.: in mid-January), incoming residents are asked to provide their rank-order preference list of elective rotations. The list of available electives and their availability vary from year to year. The Program Coordinator then works to accommodate the preferences of each resident. Rotation schedules are made available to the residents one to two months before the start of their programs in June.
What supports do you have for residents?

We are committed to our residents and their successful completion of their residencies. Each resident has numerous layers of support available to them, including their Program Coordinator, preceptors, mentors, near peers, fellow residents, and the experienced and caring staff at each of our sites. Our Residency Advisory Council members are also available to provide additional support when needed.
There are also additional support programs available through the employer and residents will have access to extended health benefits as per the collective agreement.
I'm already a VCH/PHC/FHA/PHSA employee. Do I get preferential consideration for the program?

No, all aspects of the application, reference letters and interview are considered in our selection process.
How do I apply for the program?

Applications are submitted through the Pharmacy Residency Application and Matching Service (PRAMS). Their website has all of the information you need to apply for our program! For more information about admission to our program click here.
What if I have other questions?

Please reach out to our residency coordinators if you have more questions about our program!