MWU/CIS Rotation Program

Rotation Opportunity:

Clinical Investigation Specialists, Inc (CIS) offers a competitive advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) elective rotation in Clinical Research to Midwestern University students pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. This elective rotation program is recognized by Midwestern University (MWU). 

Under the guidance of CIS’s PharmD Preceptor, Dr. Eva Agaiby,  the clinical research elective APPE rotation is designed to provide an enhanced extrapolation of the ambulatory care setting in multiple therapeutic areas including General Medicine, Cardiology, Rheumatology, and Dermatology within the scope of phase I- IV Clinical Research. Students are challenged with the following:

• Direct patient interface, administering study medications, calculating dose adjustments, performing drug accountability, and assessing side affect profiles. 
• Providing recommendations to Research Investigators, Physicians, and other Providers as part of the integrated Health Care Team. 
• Correlating objective lab findings, X-ray and MRI results, and subjective patient reports to assist in determining eligibility criteria for protocols. 
• Reconciling medical history and medication profiles, cross examining drug interactions and possible contraindications. 
• Expanding clinical expertise, further developing charting and progress note writing. 
• Introduction to day-to-day Regulatory requirements and procedures in the drug development process.
• Introduction to general business operations, marketing, and advertising within the clinical research space. 

Because there are numerous career paths for practicing pharmacists, CIS rotational opportunity offers a unique experience and introduction to the Pharmaceutical Industry allowing the student to explore previously unknown, as well as existing, interests.   

The rotation schedule is designed to be six weeks in duration and are offered throughout the year. The rotation is intended to be an elective feature of Midwestern University College of Pharmacy’s curriculum-based experiential program. Registration is mandatory for the designated block rotation and are mutually predetermined by CIS and Midwestern University. Block rotations are coordinated through Midwestern University’s Department of Experiential Education and are allocated on a first come first serve basis based on preceptor availability. 

The CIS/MWU experiential education partnership allows the student to: 

• Apply knowledge learned in the classroom, labs, and workshops
• Learn under the guidance of a preceptor who shares clinical research knowledge and experiences 
• Work collaboratively with medical research team including physicians, nurses, medical assistants, and other PharmD's that have a unique background and professional experience in research
• Gain exposure to multiple career options within the Pharmaceutical Industry
• Work with a variety of patient populations