Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many residents do you accept?
8 residents for the 2026-2027 residency year, which starts June/July 2026.
2. Is this program accredited?
Yes. Our Program is fully accredited with the Canadian Pharmacy Residency Board. This means that successful graduates from our Program will receive their ACPR designation, which stands for "Accredited Canadian Pharmacy Residency Program".
3. What type of employment arrangement do I enter into when I accept a position with the Interior Health Pharmacy Residency Program?
Soon after matching with the Interior Health Pharmacy Residency Program, you will receive a Letter of Offer which outlines these terms.
2026-2027 Residency Year
You are entering into a 54-week employment term as a temporary full-time employee with Interior Health. This employment term includes the 52-week residency program, with 10 days paid vacation included as part of these 52 weeks. The remaining 10 days of paid vacation will be scheduled in weeks 53 and 54 of the employment term.
Your position will be classified as a “Pharmacy Resident Position” with the Health Sciences Association (HSA) union and will be covered by the Health Sciences Professionals Bargaining Association (HSPBA) Collective Agreement. You will be required to become a member of HSA and pay union dues.
Salary: You will be paid a P1 salary less 15.2% (Wage Schedule N (Pharmacist) as per HSPBA Collective Agreement). Approximately $88,000 for the 54-week employment term.
Residents will be required to repay 25% of the total wages paid by the employer (on a pro-rated basis) during the residency if: you do not complete the program or you choose to not post into a Clinical Pharmacist position with Interior Health for a 12-month return of service upon successful completion of the program.
4. Where will I live during my residency?
Upon acceptance into our program, our residents will choose to complete their Interior Health Residency Program from one of two home sites, called Residency Pods. Having a home site will allow residents to integrate into the departments where they are completing their residency and aid in building connections within their home site. Residents also have the opportunity to complete rotations at other sites in Interior Health, which enhances the diversity of their residency experiences.
Residents in each Residency Pod complete the same program curriculum, including the same core rotations, and have access to the same elective rotations. Residents in both Residency Pods will also participate in the Interior Health Pharmacy Resident Academic Half Day Program and Resident Mentorship Program and will have access to the same list of available residency projects from which to select their residency project.
Kelowna Pod (6 Residents)
Based at Kelowna General Hospital in Kelowna
Residents in the Kelowna Pod will live in Kelowna
Core rotations will take place at Kelowna General Hospital, Royal Inland Hospital, Penticton Regional Hospital, Vernon Jubilee Hospital and Kootenay Boundary Hospital
Residents will have the opportunity to complete elective rotations at sites across Interior Health
Kamloops Pod (2 Residents)
Based at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops
Residents in the Kamloops Pod will live in Kamloops
All core rotations will take place at Royal Inland Hospital
Residents will have the opportunity to complete elective rotations at sites across Interior Health
5. Will I get assigned to my preferred Residency Pod choice?
Upon acceptance into our program, our residents will have an opportunity to specify their preference for a particular Residency Pod. Every effort will be made to assign residents to their preferred Residency Pod. Residents in each Residency Pod complete the same program curriculum.
6. How many rotations will I complete outside of my Residency Pod home site?
Residents in both the Kamloops Pod and Kelowna Pod will likely complete 2-3 direct patient care rotations outside of their home site, depending on where they choose to complete their elective rotations. Non-direct patient care rotations will take place at the resident's home site.
Providing residents with the opportunity to complete rotations outside of their home site, enhances the diversity of their rotation experience, exposes residents to new practice settings and enriches their overall residency experience.
7. Are residents reimbursed for travel and accommodation expenses?
Yes. Our residents receive reimbursement for all reasonable travel and accommodation expenses, along with a daily per diem for food, for rotations completed outside their home site (Kelowna or Kamloops) as per the collective agreement. The Program has a list of accommodation options close to all rotation sites.
8. What kind of support is available to Interior Health residents?
Our program has many layers of support available to residents. This includes the Program Coordinator and Program Director, their preceptors, their fellow residents and the staff at their rotation sites. All of the individuals involved in the Program are very familiar with what it is like to be resident and challenges and triumphs associated with this and are committed to making this the best possible experience for our residents. Residents meet regularly throughout the year with the Program Coordinator. In addition, our residents are paired with two to three mentors, who can act as an extra support person throughout the residency year. Our residents are considered valued members of our pharmacy team and are fully integrated into the pharmacy team.
9. Will I have a work space to call home during my residency?
Yes. Our residents are given an office space at Kelowna General Hospital and at Royal Inland Hospital to make their own. This space includes a desk, chair, filing cabinet and full computer (including laptop, monitor, docking station and headset). Resident work space is also provided when on rotation at Vernon Jubilee Hospital, Kootenay Lake Hospital, Penticton Regional Hospital and Kootenay Boundary Hospital. Our residents are also provided with the necessary equipment, including a laptop and iPhone, with access to online medication and medical resources, that they can use throughout their residency.
10. If I chose to work for Interior Health as a Clinical Pharmacist am I going to get the job that I want when I am done my residency or will I get placed somewhere?
Residents will have an opportunity to select from and apply to the available positions within Interior Health Pharmacy Services. Every effort will be made to match the resident to the available position that they have selected. We work with our residents to find the position that best suits them. In addition, once hired into a position, you would have the same status as any other staff pharmacist in our department, including the ability to apply for jobs that become available throughout our region, provided you qualify for them.
11. How much vacation would I get as a resident?
4 weeks (20 working days) paid vacation.
12. Will I have the opportunity to attend a conference during my residency?
Residents will not be provided with education leave to attend a conference as part of their residency. Residents can attend CSHP events and other conferences outside of residency time at their own expense.
13. I am currently working as an Interior Health pharmacist, do I get preferential consideration when applying to the Interior Health Pharmacy Residency Program?
No.
14. Are there jobs in Interior Health for when I am done my residency?
Yes. This an exciting time to be in Interior Health. The Interior Health Pharmacy Department is growing. There are many opportunities for residency-trained Clinical Pharmacists throughout our region, this includes positions in the large tertiary care centres, as well as the smaller rural hospitals. We work with our residents to find the position that best suits them.
17. Will I get benefits as a resident?
Yes. You will get dental and extended health benefits in addition to your salary as a resident as per the collective agreement.
More Questions?
Contact the Program Coordinator.