School of Pharmacy

Faculty

Introduction

The pharmacist is an integral member of an interdisciplinary health care team focused on improving health care outcomes of patients. As the leading source for accurate and timely drug information, the pharmacist contributes to patient safety, alleviation of symptoms, prevention of disease, and reduced health care costs. Pharmacists can choose to work in a wide variety of professional settings. Although the majority of pharmacists work in community pharmacies, many other opportunities exist in health-systems, industry, nursing home, managed care, home infusion, and academic settings.

The School of Pharmacy offers a three-year professional curriculum leading to the Doctor of Pharmacy degree (PharmD) and a joint Doctor of Pharmacy/ Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (PharmD/MS) degree program. Students attend the PharmD program on a year-round basis. The PharmD curriculum is composed of two didactic years followed by one advanced pharmacy practice year. Patient care/pharmacy settings integrate experience that supports the classroom material. The PharmD/MS program is a new degree program that will be offered as a joint degree with the existing three-year PharmD curriculum. A one-year research-focused curriculum will be added following the three-year PharmD program for a total of four years of education.

The PharmD curriculum is based on a modified-block design that allows the sequential delivery of courses rather than the more traditional method of teaching multiple courses at the same time. Students are not assigned letter grades in the curriculum but are instead assigned either a “pass” or “no-pass” based on achievement of 90% of stated competencies. Students are assessed every two weeks during the first two years of the curriculum. Students who do not achieve the necessary level of competency are given opportunities for extended learning. Extended learning opportunities occur immediately following each semester.

The curriculum places an emphasis on integration of knowledge, critical thinking, and utilization of evidence based principles.

The PharmD program is approximately 34 months divided into three years.

P1: Didactic Year on campus, integrated with sites in the greater Portland area
P2: Rotation at sites including and beyond Portland area during summer; Didactic Year on campus, integrated with sites in the greater Portland area
P3: Clinical Advanced rotations at sites including and beyond the Portland area

The PharmD/MS program is approximately 46 months divided into four years, with the additional year dedicated to a research-focused curriculum.

Students typically begin their programs in Fall term, but may elect to begin in Summer with a School of Pharmacy Summer Research Award.

School of Pharmacy Summer Research Award Program

Students accepted to the School are invited to apply for an 8-10 week summer research experience to occur in the summer before the start of pharmacy school. A competitive process is used to select students, who are then matched with faculty mentors. The objectives of this program are to increase student training in critical thinking and problem solving skills, writing skills, laboratory experience and research design. Students accepted into this program take PHRM 758 Research Elective  or PHRM 801 Research Elective (1 credit) during the summer. This course can fulfill the elective required for the PharmD degree. Students receive a stipend and scholarship for the summer class. For more information about the program, please contact the Office of Admissions.

Mission

We prepare dynamic practitioners, leaders, and scholars to promote patient advocacy and advance the profession of pharmacy to deliver innovative and collaborative patient-centered care in diverse populations by building an interprofessional, learner-centered community.

Values

• Innovation in teaching, learning, and scholarship
• Leadership in patient and professional advocacy
• Collaboration & collegiality
• Diversity & Inclusion
• Integrity

Vision

Create and sustain an interprofessional community of excellence in education, scholarship, and practice which is widely recognized and respected.

Accreditation

The School of Pharmacy is fully accredited by Accreditation Council of Pharmacy Education (ACPE) Board of Directors. Information on the accreditation process may be found on the Council’s website at www.acpe-accredit.org. The ACPE Board of Directors reviewed the Doctor of Pharmacy program for purposes of continued accreditation at its January 2015 meeting. The accreditation term granted for the Doctor of Pharmacy program extended until June 30, 2023.

Pacific University received regional accreditation from the Northwest Association of Schools and of Colleges and Universities (NASC), Commission on Colleges and Universities, in 1929. In 1945 the University requested permission and received approval from NASC to offer the doctoral degree. Pacific University is fully accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), which until the year 2003 was part of NASC.

Student Learning Outcomes

1A. Develop and use strategies to apply foundational sciences (pharmaceutical, social and administrative, and clinic) to solve therapeutic problems (1.1Learner)

1B. Critically analyze scientific literature to enhance clinical decision making (1.1 Learner)

1C. Demonstrate knowledge and skills related to the laws governing pharmacy practice (1.1 Learner)

2A. Providepatient-centered care as the medication expert (collect and interpret evidence, prioritize, formulate assessments and recommendations, implement, monitor and adjust plans, and document activities) (CAPE: 2.1 Caregiver)

2B. Manage patient healthcare needs using human, financial, technological, and physical resources to optimize operational safety and efficacy (Modified-CAPE: 2.2 Manager)

2C. Design prevention, intervention, and educational strategies for individuals and communities to manage chronic disease and improve health andwellness (CAPE: 2.3 Promoter)

2D. Describe how population-basedcare influences patient centered careand influences the development of practice guidelines and evidence-based best practices (CAPE: 2.4 Provider)

2E. Prepare medications utilizing appropriate procedures and accurate calculations (2.1 Caregiver)

3A. Identify problems; explore and prioritize potential strategies; and design, implement, and evaluate a viable solution (CAPE: 3.1 Problem Solver)

3B. Utilize a caring, empathetic, and professional manner to effectively communicate with all health care professionals, patients, families and caregivers and assess their understanding (3.2 Educator / 3.6 Communicator)

3C. Demonstrate and practice skills in leading change and promoting advocacy for the profession, patients and self (3.3 Advocate / 4.2 Leader / 4.3 Innovator)

3D. Actively participate and engage as a healthcare team member by demonstrating mutual respect, understanding, and values to meet patient care needs (CAPE: 3.4 Collaborator)

3E. Demonstrate skills necessary to manage personnel, interpersonal relationships, and workflow within pharmacy practice (3.4 Collaborator)

3F. Recognize social determinants of health to diminish disparities and inequities in access to quality care (CAPE: 3.5 Includer)

4A. Assess personal knowledge, skills, abilities, beliefs, biases, motivation, and emotions that could enhance or limit personal and professional growth (Modified-CAPE: 4.1: Self-Awareness)

4B. Demonstrate responsibility for creating and achieving shared goals, regardless of position (CAPE: 4.2: Leadership)

4C. Engage in innovative activities by using creative thinking to envision better ways of accomplishing professional goals (CAPE: 4.3: Innovation)

4D. Exhibit behaviors and values that are consistent with the trust given to the profession by patients, other healthcare providers, and society (CAPE: 4.4:Professionalism)

4E. Actively seek engagement in the profession through service (4.4 Professionalism)

4F. Develop the skills, attitudes, and values necessary for self-directed, life- long learning (4.4 Professional)
CAPE: Center for Advancement of Pharmacy Education

Clinical Educational Facilities

The School has affiliations with a variety of clinical training sites, including but not limited to health-systems (e.g. hospitals), managed care pharmacy organizations, community pharmacies (e.g. chain and independent), ambulatory clinics, long term care facilities, home infusion/specialty pharmacies, mail order pharmacies, and the pharmaceutical industry. The vast majority of these facilities are located within the states of Oregon and Washington. Clinical sites are continually added by the School in order to provide variety and quality to the clinical experiences. Students will complete all rotations at sites assigned by the School and where the School has a current, active affiliation agreement.

Policies: School of Pharmacy

Add/Drop/Withdrawal Schedule

Due to the structure of the curriculum, there is no add/drop period. If a student must leave during a semester, courses that have been completed will receive a grade, and the transcript will show no record of courses that have not started. Once a course has started, withdrawing before 60% of the course has been completed will result in a W grade; withdrawing after the 60% point will result in a No Pass grade.

Licensing Requirements

Students must apply for and received pharmacy intern licenses in both Washington and Oregon once accepted into the School. Students are encouraged to access the Oregon Board of Pharmacy at http://www.oregon.gov/Pharmacy and the Washington Board of Pharmacy at http://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/ProfessionsNewReneworUpdate/PharmacyIntern.

All students must maintain an active Oregon intern license and Washington Intern Registration while enrolled at the School. A copy of this document must be provided to the Coordinator for Experiential and Student Affairs, who is responsible for tracking student adherence with this policy. Revocation, expiration, or lack of said license precludes students’ ability to participate in experiential activities.

Prior to the third year, students may be required to submit proof of Intern licensure to the Coordinators for Experiential Education and the Director of Experiential Education prior to beginning any rotation.

Method of Evaluation of Student Progress

Progression of students toward achievement of programmatic and block outcomes is monitored frequently using various methods of assessment. Formal summative examinations for the purposes of communicating whether a student has passed a particular set of competencies are scheduled regularly throughout the academic year. The School’s administration reserves the right to employ additional assessment tools within or at the conclusion of each year.

Time limits on program completion

A student may take up to five (5) years to complete the three year Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program at Pacific University. For the joint PharmD/MS, all requirements must be completed within six (6) years of matriculation. All forms of leave (voluntary withdrawals, administrative withdrawals, or leaves of absence) may be extended to a maximum of 24 months total (either consecutive months or cumulative time) with approval from the AD for Student Affairs (ADSA) and/or the AD for Academics & Assessment (ADAA). A student will be dismissed from the program five (5) years for the PharmD program or six (6) years for the PharmD/MS program from his/her start date if he/she has not completed program requirements, unless the Dean approves an alternative plan based on student-specific situations. The student may choose to re-apply for admission to the School as a first-year student.

Records of Student Performance

The School uses a Pass/No Pass system of recording student achievement. The School has set the standard of achievement for each student at 90%. In order to receive a “Pass” (designated as “P” on the transcript), a student must achieve a score of 90% or higher in each block.

Transfer Credits

The block method of curriculum delivery, combined with the integrated nature of the curriculum, does not easily support integration of students from more traditional programs. Pacific University School of Pharmacy will consider transfer students for admittance to advance standing only after careful review of all available information. The School will evaluate students who wish to transfer on a case by case basis, and will include a student interview. Student prerequisites, course descriptions and syllabi from the previous institution, hours completed, transcripts, and other significant data will be used in making a decision.

Normal Load

9 credits or higher is a full-time course load; 5 credits is half-time.

Auditing

Auditors enroll in and attend classes, but are not required to complete assignments or take examinations. No credit is received for audited courses. Students must declare the audit option before the end of the add-drop period; once the audit option has been declared, the course cannot revert back to the graded option. See the catalog section on Business Policies on Tuition and Fees for payment information.

Incomplete Grades

An instructor may issue a grade of Incomplete (I) only when the major portion of a course has been completed satisfactorily but health or other emergency reasons prevent the student from finishing all requirements of the course. Prior to submitting an Incomplete grade, the instructor and the student complete an Incomplete Grade Contract detailing the completion and submission of all remaining work. After submission of the work, the instructor completes a Grade Change form and submits it to the Assistant Dean for Academics & Assessment for approval; the form then is processed by the Registrar.

If agreed-upon work is not completed and no grade change submitted in the allotted period (and an extension has not been granted), when the Incomplete expires the grade becomes an F or N. Faculty may request an extension of an Incomplete (before the expiration date of the Incomplete) by notifying the Registrar’s office.

Questions regarding this policy should be directed to the Registrar or the Assistant Dean for Academics & Assessment.

Non-Degree Seeking Students

The block method of curriculum delivery, combined with the integrated nature of the curriculum, does not easily support integration of non-degree seeking students. Pacific University School of Pharmacy will consider these students for admittance after careful review of all available information. The School will evaluate students who wish to take courses as a non-degree seeking student on a case by case basis, and will include a student interview. Student prerequisites, course descriptions and syllabi from the previous institution, hours completed, transcripts, and other significant data will be used in making a decision.

Dean’s Excellence List Award

Because the Pharmacy program does not use letter grades, excellence is determined by criteria other than GPA . For students to be placed on the Dean’s Excellence List, each must exemplify the program’s values as they relate to professionalism, collaboration (teamwork), service (co-curricular involvement), and a commitment to inter professional care, diversity and inclusivity. Students who have been on probation for any reason are ineligible for graduation honors.

Honors

The School of Pharmacy does not award honors at graduation.

Extended Learning

If a student does not achieve 90%, then s/he must remediate that portion of the curriculum at a pre-designated time, be reassessed and achieve a level of 90% in order to progress to the next academic year. Students who do not pass may be required to attend an in-class or an electronic review session. If a student does not successfully achieve the desired set of competencies following re-examination, the student will be required to attend an extended learning block at the end of the current semester. The student will be assessed again on those competencies. Duration, scheduling, and other requirements for all extended learning blocks will be determined by the block faculty in conjunction with the AD for Academics & Assessment (ADAA) and with the approval of the Dean. Extended learning blocks are considered to be part of the regular educational process and as such, the School will not charge additional fees or tuition.

Attendance at Instructional Periods, Examinations, and Extended Learning

Attendance requirements during instructional/didactic sessions are at the discretion of the block coordinator and may vary between blocks. Students should consult the syllabus for details related to attendance for each block. Attendance is required at all scheduled examinations, re-examination, and extended learning periods. Absence from scheduled examinations, re-examinations, or extended learning blocks are permitted only under the following conditions:

• Student illness when accompanied by a physician’s note describing the timeframe that would qualify as excused;
• A personal emergency or emergency in the student’s immediate family, such as death, hospitalization or other emergency situation as granted by the AD for Academics & Assessment on a case-by-case basis. In this case, the student must contact the block coordinator and the AD for Academics & Assessment, who shall consider the request and determine whether an excused absence is warranted; or,
• Attendance at professional meetings provided that the absence has been pre-approved at least two weeks in advance by the ADAA. This approval is coordinated through the AD for Student Affairs (ADSA) with the Director for Experiential Education.

If an absence from a scheduled examination or re-examination is excused, the student will be assessed at a time set by the block coordinator. Students with excused absences will be given the same examination opportunities as students who were present at the examination or re-examination. However, because the student could not participate in the group examination, the student will not be entitled to receive group points, unless other arrangements have been made. Working with the student, the block coordinator will arrange for the student to take the examination as soon as possible following the student’s return to school. The date and time of the makeup examination will be communicated to the ADAA and may or may not be scheduled for regular school hours.

If an absence from a scheduled examination is unexcused, the student will be required to attend a scheduled re-examination and pass the re-examination. If an absence from a scheduled re-examination is unexcused, the student will be required to attend a scheduled extended learning block immediately following the end of the semester (to be determined by the ADAA) and be assessed on those competencies at that time.

Attendance at Experiential Activities

Attendance is required at all scheduled experiential rotations. Students are required to abide by the attendance policies outlined in the appropriate experiential manual.

Academic Standing

Good academic standing in the School of Pharmacy is defined as:

• satisfactory academic performance
• sound practice skills
• adherence to University and School rules and procedures
• behavior that leads to professional competence and positive interpersonal and professional relations

Probation

Students may be placed on probation based on failure to comply with School or University rules and procedures or inappropriate professional or ethical conduct. Students on probation will be required to meet with their academic advisor on a schedule established jointly by the student and advisor or the Student Progression Committee (SPC). The student is responsible for the development of a student action plan that outlines the expectations of the student during the probationary period.

Dismissal

If a student receives a No Pass (N) in four blocks during any semester of the P1 or P2 year, the student will be withdrawn from the program. The student’s status in that case will be withdrawal “not in good academic standing” and the student may apply for re-admission through the School’s Admissions Application process.

Students who receive an “N” on three extended learning blocks within a semester will be withdrawn from the program. Students who receive an “N” on one (1) or two (2) extended learning blocks, and who wish to remain enrolled in the program are required to attend the block or portion of a block covered by the examination the next time it is offered. Such students are placed on probation as a result of receiving an “N” during any extended learning blocks. Criteria for progression through the curriculum will be determined as part of the terms of probation.

In the event that the block in which the student received an “N” has been modified and/or is covered by more than one block in a revised curriculum, the AD for Academics & Assessment may require a student to complete and pass more than one block.

Students are allowed to repeat a block only once after receiving an “N” during any extended learning block. Students who receive another No Pass (N) on a re-examination that covers the material for which they are repeating will be required to withdraw from the program.

Appeals

Students wishing to appeal can find details of professional and academic standards, academic policies and procedures, clinical policies and procedures, the appeals process, and the academic conduct policies, in the School of Pharmacy Student Handbook, College of Health Professions Faculty Bylaws, and the University Student Handbook.

Policies and Procedures Pertaining to Professionalism

Surveys of the general public consistently rank pharmacy at the top of lists of the most trusted profession. For ourselves and for the profession of pharmacy, Pacific University School of Pharmacy is committed to instilling in our students the importance of personal and professional honor and integrity. In our position as a gatekeeper for the profession of pharmacy, we intend for our graduates to uphold and maintain the level of confidence and trust the public has placed on pharmacists.

A pharmacist maintains the highest principles of moral, ethical, and legal conduct. Upon accepting admission to the School, each student agrees to abide by basic standards of honesty and academic integrity, which include but are not limited to:

• Acting with honesty and integrity in academic and professional activities. A student never represents the work of others as his/her own.
• Striving for professional competence.
• Fostering a positive environment for learning. A pharmacy student will not interfere with or undermine other students’ efforts to learn.
• Respecting the knowledge, skills and values of pharmacists, instructors, and other health care professionals.
• Respecting the autonomy and dignity of fellow students, instructors, staff, other health care professionals, and patients.
• Seeking treatment for any personal impairment, including substance abuse, which could adversely impact patients, instructors, health care providers or other students.
• Promoting the good of every patient in a caring, compassionate, and confidential manner.
• Protecting the confidentiality of any medical, personal, academic, financial or business information.

Violation of the Standards of Professional Conduct

The Student Progression Committee (SPC) handles discipline concerns. Violation of the Standards of Professional Conduct will be handled by the SPC and Administration of the School and, where appropriate, the State Board of Pharmacy. Violations may result in the probation, suspension, or dismissal of students from the program.

Tuition and Fees: School of Pharmacy

Acceptance Deposit

After notice of acceptance, a non-refundable tuition deposit of $1000 is required of students enrolling in the School of Pharmacy. This deposit is applied towards the student’s tuition for the first semester of the program.

Students can expect additional expenses for experiential travel, books, labs, equipment, student government and living.

Calendar: School of Pharmacy

http://www.pacificu.edu/pharmd/index.cfm

Programs

• Pharmaceutical Sciences, MS

• Pharmacy, PharmD