PGY1 Community-Based Pharmacy Residency Program

The Arcare PGY1 Community-Based Pharmacy Residency Program is designed to build upon the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) education and outcomes, developing community-based pharmacist practitioners with diverse patient care, leadership, and educational skills. Graduates of the program will be eligible to pursue advanced training opportunities, including PGY2 residencies and professional certifications. They will be prepared to excel as clinical pharmacists in community-based and ambulatory care settings.

Program Overview

Residents train within Arcare’s network of community pharmacies and clinics, serving diverse patient populations across Central Arkansas. The program emphasizes the pharmacist’s role as an integrated member of the interprofessional care team while also providing exposure to pharmacy operations, population health, leadership, and professional development.

Unique elements of the Arcare program include:

Direct patient care experiences in managing common primary care conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia within an interprofessional team setting.
Community pharmacy-based learning, including dispensing, formulary management, 340B program training, and managed care contract exposure.
Opportunities to support Arcare’s mission of “Health for All” through practice in a federally qualified health center setting.

Educational Competency Areas, Goals, and Objectives (CAGOs)

The program is structured to ensure residents achieve the required ASHP educational competency areas, goals, and objectives, including:

Patient Care: Providing evidence-based, patient-centered medication management.
Practice Advancement: Implementing practice-based projects and quality improvement initiatives.
Leadership: Participating in administrative functions, formulary management, and policy development. Engaging in continuous self-assessment and development planning with a designated mentor.
Teaching and Education: Serving as a preceptor for student pharmacists and participating in formal teaching opportunities.

Learning Experiences

Required Rotations & Longitudinal Experiences

Orientation (Rotation)
Direct Patient Care
- Chronic Disease State Management (Longitudinal)
- Patient-Centered Dispensing (Longitudinal)
- Asthma and COPD Clinic (Longitudinal)
Non-Direct Patient Care
- Leadership and Practice Advancement (Longitudinal)
- Pharmacy Research Project (Longitudinal)
- Professional Development (Longitudinal)
- Teaching and Learning (Longitudinal)

Elective Opportunities

Elective experiences may be designed to match resident interests and preceptor availability. Current options include Focused Ambulatory Care experience, HIV and Viral Hepatitis Clinics Elective, and Academia Elective.

Teaching & Research Certificates

Residents may participate in optional teaching and/or research certificate programs offered through the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Sample Weekly Schedule

3 days per week: Ambulatory care clinics (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, asthma, COPD).
2 days per week: Community pharmacy practice, including dispensing, patient-centered services, and 340B program exposure.
Protected time: Built into the schedule for research, leadership, and teaching (generally ~1 day per week).
Note: The schedule may be adjusted based on program requirements, electives, and individual development needs.

Professional Development & Mentorship

Residents participate in a longitudinal professional development series, including:

Regular mentor meetings and individualized development plans.
Portfolio building and self-assessment activities.
Leadership development through guided discussions, recommended readings, and engagement with podcasts and other professional resources.

Program Details

Positions: 2 positions.
Location:
- Arcare’s PGY1 Community-Based residency program is based in Central Arkansas.
- Primary Practice Site: Arcare Pharmacy – Searcy Golf Course Drive
  - 700 Golf Course Drive, Searcy, Arkansas 72143
- Other Practice Site Locations:
  - Searcy, Cabot, Batesville, and Bald Knob – additional Arcare clinic locations where residents provide ambulatory care services.
  - Searcy is located about one hour northeast of Little Rock, the state capital, offering the balance of a welcoming community environment with convenient access to metropolitan resources, regional airports, and cultural opportunities.
  - Residents gain experience across multiple sites, reflecting the diversity of patients and practices within Arcare’s Federally Qualified Health Center network.
Start Date: July 1st, 2026.
Accreditation Status: The PGY1 Community-Based Pharmacy Residency, conducted by Arcare in Searcy, Arkansas, is accredited by the ASHP in partnership with the APhA.
ASHP Program Code: 71012
National Matching Service (NMS) Code: 254415
Residency Benefits
- Company-Paid Benefits
  - Health, dental, and vision insurance plus free Arcare clinic benefits (with Arcare health plan).
  - Paid time off: up to 96 hours annually, plus 8 holidays, 1 floating holiday, and a birthday holiday.
  - Life insurance and long-term disability coverage.
  - Retirement plan: 401(k) with company match up to 200% of 4% after 1 year of service.
  - Optional supplemental and family coverage available.
- Professional Development Benefits
  - Financial support to attend professional meetings (e.g., ASHP Midyear, state residency conferences).
  - Optional Teaching Certificate through the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
  - Protected time and mentorship for projects.
  - Regular feedback, individualized development planning, and precepting opportunities to strengthen leadership and teaching skills.

Application Requirements

Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from an ACPE-accredited college of pharmacy.
Eligibility for licensure in the state of Arkansas.
Registered with PhORCAS® and participation in the ASHP Resident Matching Program.
Submission of the following through PhORCAS®:
- Letter of intent.
- Current curriculum vitae.
- Official academic transcripts.
- Three letters of recommendation.
Application Deadline: January 5th, 2026.

Apply through the ASHP Residency Matching Program: www.natmatch.com/ashprmp

Alumni Success

Graduates of the Arcare PGY1 Community-Based Residency have pursued careers in ambulatory care practice, clinical pharmacy leadership, and advanced training through our PGY2 Ambulatory Care program.