Residency Showcase Program Listings

The VA HVHCS offers a post-graduate year two (PGY2) Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Residency Program, which is accredited by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists (ASHP). This multi-site, 12-month (July 1 – June 30) program is designed to further develop medication management skills in a multidisciplinary ambulatory care environment, with focus on continuity of care in the rural health setting.

Emphasis is placed on providing the PGY2 pharmacy resident with direct patient care responsibilities to develop clinical skills, knowledge, and competencies. The PGY2 pharmacy resident is afforded with the opportunity to longitudinally monitor patients’ clinical progress through pharmacy-managed ambulatory care clinics. The PGY2 pharmacy resident works closely with clinical pharmacy specialists (CPSs) who are responsible for direct patient care in anticoagulation, diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, among other disease states. Each CPS has a scope of practice, which includes the authority to write prescriptions, order laboratory and other diagnostic tests, and consult other services when indicated. The PGY2 pharmacy resident will be responsible for pharmacotherapy decisions, patient counseling, writing progress notes, and monitoring drug therapy to optimize therapeutic outcomes. Most patients are managed by outpatient clinic visits, but telephone follow-up may also be part of the direct patient care provided. In addition, state-of-the art clinical video tele-health (CVT) equipment may be utilized.

To the further development of clinical practice skills, the PGY2 pharmacy resident will acquire and cultivate advanced leadership skills. The PGY2 pharmacy resident will assist in the development of new policies and procedures needed to carry out the Mission of Pharmacy Service to improve the quality of patient care. The PGY2 pharmacy resident will gain valuable experience in our pharmacy administrative programs, including local medication use evaluations, committee work, academic detailing, and developing clinical programs.

Furthermore, the PGY2 pharmacy resident will be afforded the opportunity to participate in several patient educational programs and will gain experience in lecture preparation, didactic teaching, and in the precepting of students. The PGY2 pharmacy resident will also serve as a mentor to our post-graduate year one (PGY1) pharmacy residents and function as the Chief Resident during the course of the year. Additional teaching experience will be provided through delivery of in-services for staff development and participation in pharmacy journal clubs and case discussions.

Completion of a project of interest to the PGY2 pharmacy resident is also required. The PGY2 resident will work with a project preceptor to plan, carry out, and evaluate the results of this project. These results are presented at the Eastern States Pharmacy Residents and Preceptors Conference in the spring of each year. A written manuscript of this project is required for completion of the residency.

• Letter of intent
• Curriculum vitae
• Official college transcripts (College of Pharmacy)
• Three references (PhORCAS standardized reference form)^±
• US citizenship

The letter of intent should include the answers to the following three questions:

(1) Why do you want to do this residency?

(2) What are your personal and professional strengths/areas for improvement?

(3) What are your short-term and long-term career goals?

PGY1 residency program director (RPD) should service as 1 of the 3 required references.

Application materials should be submitted through the Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application Service (PhORCAS). Additional information on PhORCAS may be found at:

http://www.ashp.org/phorcas

All application materials must be received by January 8^th in order to be considered for an interview.