Frequently Asked Questions

We have two residency positions available.

Residents typically prefer to live in close proximity to Inova Mount Vernon Hospital in the Alexandria, Arlington or Washington, DC, area (or within a ten-mile radius). The hospital is conveniently located near a major DC metro area freeway (I-495), which makes it accessible from all directions.

No. We attend the residency showcase, but do not conduct residency interviews in PPS.

Residents are encouraged to participate in the optional Teaching and Learning Certificate (TLC) program. Opportunities as part of the TLC include facilitating small group learning for Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy P3 students located at the Inova Fairfax Hospital satellite campus and providing a formal academic lecture for students at Virginia Commonwealth University. Residents also participate in layered learning activities with IPPE and APPE students who are completing rotations at the hospital.

Yes. Residents will be paired with two different mentors to guide them through the residency year. One mentor will support the resident in their development as a staffing pharmacist. The second mentor will support the resident in successfully completing their major longitudinal projects.

Residents from Inova Alexandria and Inova Mount Vernon Hospitals get together for a fun monthly activity outside the hospital. This has included activities such as going for walks together at nearby parks, visiting an escape room, and meeting for ice cream in nearby Old Town Alexandria. The activities are often selected by the residents and one or two preceptors will accompany them for the activity. On a quarterly basis, all PGY1 and PGY2 residents at Inova Health System meet for wellness as a system team. Additionally, the residents each create a personalized wellness plan at the beginning of the residency year to proactively help them manage stress, and resident wellness is discussed during regular check-ins with the Residency Program Director (RPD).

Inova Mount Vernon has a welcoming tight-knit family-like culture. The entire staff is invested in the learning and success of the residents. Pharmacists have strong working relationships with providers, nursing, and other disciplines. Residents receive a strong foundation through core rotations and gain a broader prospective due to exposure to medication safety concepts.

The residents' major longitudinal projects are tailored to their interests, and the residents can also use their two elective rotations to further explore areas of interest. The residents thrive in an environment where the preceptors and pharmacy staff genuinely care about them and prioritize their growth and development.

We are looking for residents that are natural leaders, excited and motivated to learn, and that welcome feedback to help them grow throughout the year.

Yes. We believe retaining our residents is a sign of a strong residency program. Following graduation, several past residents have accepted positions to stay within Inova Health System.