Residency Showcase Program Listings

Description:

This post-graduate year two (PGY-2) Pain Management & pharmacy residency program at the MVAHCS (also known as the “Minneapolis VA”) is one of the first accredited through ASHP. This program has been designed to develop practitioners with the high level of skill required to manage patient care as integral members of interdisciplinary teams. Graduates of this program have been successful in an assortment of clinical mental health positions.

The MVAHCS is one of the ten largest VA medical centers in the country, serving more than 100,000 veterans in a six-state area of the upper Midwest. The MVAHCS provides a full range of patient care services with state-of-the-art technology, educational resources, and research. More than 100 pharmacists play a vital role in the delivery of patient care; working as a team with physicians, nurses and other health care practitioners to ensure America’s veterans receive the finest care. Pharmacists routinely interact one-on-one with patients providing consultation and guidance on the use of medications through an independent scope of practice. VA pharmacists fully utilize their skills and knowledge in their daily practice.

The MVAHCS has three PGY-2 residents: one focused in Geriatrics, one focused in Psychiatry, and one focused in Pain Management and Palliative Care. In addition, there are four PGY-1 residents. The PGY-1 pharmacy residency program at this facility is one of the first accredited residency programs with almost 60 years of continuous accreditation by ASHP.

The Minneapolis VA is dedicated to providing comprehensive pain management and palliative care. Services span a variety of settings, including inpatient acute pain management, addiction recovery services, palliative/hospice care, and outpatient pain management through our Comprehensive Pain Center. All teams are interprofessional and include disciplines of nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupation therapy, mental health, and peer support.

The PGY-2 resident will be a vital member of the Comprehensive Pain Center team. The resident will co-manage patients as part of an interdisciplinary team in a practice that has evolved over the years, allowing pharmacists to practice at the top of their license. In addition to completing patient appointments, residents write progress notes for patients they assess and (in collaboration with preceptors) have authority to write prescriptions, order laboratory and other diagnostic tests, consult other services when indicated, and develop therapeutic and monitoring plans for patient follow-up. Care is provided via face-to-face, telephone, and video appointments.

The main hospital has 348 beds and provides acute care services to psychiatry, spinal cord, neurology, surgery, cardiology, intensive care, and general internal medicine. There are also 104 beds in the Community Living Center (CLC). Residents spend 4 weeks on an acute pain management rotation that serves to acclimate the resident to inpatient pain management pharmacy services and serves as a foundation for future care rotations.

MVAHCS is affiliated with the University of Minnesota (UMN) College of Pharmacy and School of Medicine. Residents serve as preceptors to IPPE and APPE students throughout the year. Didactic teaching experiences through the University may be available in PGY-2 programs based on interest. Other opportunities to provide education to pharmacy, nursing, medicine, and/or other disciplines during the year may include but are not limited to in-service education, mental health grand rounds, journal club, and medication therapy cases.

PGY-2 Pain Management & Palliative Care Pharmacy Practice Residency Application Procedure:

Applicants must be a graduate of an American Council of Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE) accredited School of Pharmacy with a Doctor of Pharmacy Degree (Pharm.D.). All residents will be required to be licensed; licensure may be obtained through any U.S. State Board of Pharmacy. U.S. citizenship is required. The applicant must complete an ASHP accredited PGY-1 residency. The applicant must be registered with the American Society of Health System Pharmacists’ Match Program. The only exception would be for early commitment. An on-site interview is required for all applicants unless another mode is deemed necessary by the Resident Program Director in advance.

Application Requirements:

• Complete online application through PhORCAS
• All application materials must be submitted via PhORCAS by January 2^nd of 2023
• Academic transcripts including pharmacy school transcripts with a description of the grading scale if not on a 4-point system
• Curriculum Vitae
• Letter of Intent
• Reference Letters (3) utilizing PhORCAS standardized form (hint: don’t submit over 3 as only the first 3 will be read)
• Sample of written work from PGY-1 residency

Some of the criteria considered in choosing residents include knowledge of professional practice, communication skills and ability to apply theory to practice, leadership ability, interest in the program, confidence, and professionalism.

See our website for additional information: https://www.va.gov/minneapolis-health-care/work-with-us/internships-and-fellowships/pharmacy-student-and-residency-programs/

General Information:

• Duration: 12 months
• Number of Positions: 1
• Starting Date: July 3^rd, 2023
• Model Type: Teaching, Tertiary
• Estimated Stipend: $48,617

Benefits:

• Competitive stipend
• 4 hours annual leave and 4 hours sick leave per pay period (2 weeks)
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Eligible for federal employee health
• Dedicated resident office space
• Free parking

About Minneapolis VA Health Care System

Minneapolis VA Health Care System is one of the ten largest VA medical centers in the country, serving more than 100,000 veterans in a six-state area of the upper Midwest. Our facility is a teaching hospital affiliated with the College of Pharmacy and School of Medicine at the University of Minnesota, and provides a full range of patient care services with state-of-the-art technology, educational resources, and research. Comprehensive health care is provided through primary care, specialty care, and long-term care in areas of medicine, surgery, psychiatry, neurology, oncology, and geriatrics. More than 100 pharmacists play a vital role in the delivery of patient care; working as a team with physicians, nurses and other health care practitioners to ensure America’s veterans receive the finest care. Pharmacists routinely interact one-on-one with patients providing consultation and guidance on the use of medications through an independent scope of practice. VA pharmacists fully utilize their skills and knowledge in their daily practice.

Connections working at Minneapolis VA Health Care System