|
Return to Pharmacy
*****Accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists since 1976*****
Philosophy
The VA Pharmacy provides pharmaceutical care services in a tertiary care, full teaching and research affiliated Medical Center on two campuses (one in Seattle and the other in Tacoma). The residency centers on a broad, in-depth experience with emphasis on rational drug therapy and the development of advanced pharmaceutical care practice skills utilizing state of the art technology. The residency trains pharmacists to provide the highest quality care in today's challenging health care environment.
Program Description
The VA Puget Sound Health Care System (VA PSHCS) residency in pharmacy practice in Seattle, Washington is a one-year (PGY1) postgraduate training program. The residency is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and follows training objectives outlined in the accreditation standard. The residency offers an organized and directed opportunity to develop knowledge, skills, and a philosophy of pharmacy practice. Residents participate in drug therapy monitoring, interdisciplinary rounds, medication counseling for patients at discharge, therapeutic consultation for medication regimens, and drug interaction and adverse event evaluations. In addition, residents will have opportunities to precept pharmacy students, provide in-services to nurses and physicians, and give presentations to colleagues. The primary purpose of the residency training program is to prepare pharmacists to face the challenges of contemporary pharmaceutical care.
Residents also provide weekend inpatient pharmacist coverage. Generally, this is one weekend every six weeks. The clinical and distributive functions of a pharmacist will be performed during this time. In addition, a research project is required and each resident will present their projects at the local Seattle Area Pharmacists Meeting and at the Western States Conference for Pharmacy Residents, Fellows, and Preceptors in Pacific Grove, California.
About the Medical Center
The VA Puget Sound Health Care System is a 488-bed acute care center that provides tertiary care for veterans in Western Washington. Care is also provided to veterans upon referral from Alaska, Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. The VA is affiliated with the University Of Washington School Of Medicine and has 37 allied health training programs (including pharmacy, nursing, psychology, and various other disciplines). Inpatient and outpatient clinical services include medicine, dialysis, surgery, neurology, substance abuse, rehabilitation medicine, gerontology, spinal cord injury, bone marrow transplant, women's care and psychiatry. The Medical Center receives over $7 million of VA funding and $10 million of non-VA funding for biomedical, gerontological, rehabilitation, and health systems research.
Benefits
The stipend and benefits are determined annually on a national basis by the VA and are adjusted by location. Each resident is eligible for two weeks of vacation, 10 paid holidays, sick leave, medical and life insurance, employee parking, and lab coats. All residents are provided administrative leave to attend educational conferences including the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and the Western States Residents, Fellows, and Preceptors Conference.
Qualifications
All residency candidates must meet the following prerequisites:
• United States Citizenship
• Bachelor or Doctor of Pharmacy with eventual licensure in any state
• A minimum GPA of 3.0
• A personal, on-site interview
• Participation in the ASHP residency matching program
How to Apply
Interested candidates may apply by submitting a letter of interest, a curriculum vitae, all official college transcripts, three letters of recommendation, including from a university/college faculty, and a completed VA Application for Residents (VA Form 10-2850b) to the Residency Program Director.”
Deadline for application to the VA residency is January 15th. The resident must participate in the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) residency matching program.
For more information or an application, please contact:
Norman T. Suzuki, Pharm.D.
Clinical Coordinator/Residency Director
VA PSHCS, Clinical Support Services
1660 S. Columbian Way (S-119)
Seattle, WA 98108
(206) 277-1222
E-mail: norman.suzuki@med.va.gov
Overview of Rotations
Residency Training Schedule
The residency is a one-year program beginning July 1st. It is a full-time obligation with a minimum of 2,000 hours completed over a period of 50-52 weeks. The resident's schedule will be designed according to the resident's individual interests, background, education, as well as the needs of the institution. Residents become competent in each activity based upon meeting set goals and objectives, and are monitored throughout the program. Residents will precept pharmacy students from various universities.
Four and eight week clinical rotations provide experience and develop competence in four major areas of pharmacy practice. The four areas are acute patient care (800 hours), ambulatory patient care (600 hours), drug information (400 hours), and practice management (200 hours). There are eight clinical rotations and two electives.
Acute Inpatient Care
Acute patient care pharmacy services are aimed at optimizing drug therapy. The resident will evaluate drug-related problems and receive experience in providing these services to various categories of inpatient and ambulatory patients.
Activities in these areas include:
• Patient admission counseling
• Monitoring drug therapy
• Patient education and counseling
• Written consultation in drug therapy selection
• Nutrition support
• Drug information
• Discharge counseling
• Clinical preceptor for School of Pharmacy students
Areas of experience:
• Bone Marrow Transplant Unit
• General Internal Medicine (includes Pulmonary / Critical Care)
• General Surgery / Nutrition Support Services
• Mental Health
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Geriatric Evaluation Unit
• Clinical Administration and Management
• Possible Elective Rotations
Cardiology
Oncology
Women's Clinic
Infectious Diseases
*Elective rotations can be tailored to the resident’s personal interests
Ambulatory Patient Care
Specific activities include:
• Reviewing patient profiles for drug interactions, therapeutic duplications, or contraindications
• Monitoring safety and efficacy of drug therapy
• Participating in physical assessment and patient triage during patient interviews
• Providing patient counseling
• Providing drug information to healthcare professionals
Managing clinical outcomes and patient drug therapy will occur throughout training in:
• General Internal Medicine Clinic (GIMC)
• Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center (GRECC)
• Specialty Clinics
• Pulmonary Clinic
• Endocrine Clinic
• Mental Health Clinic
• Infectious Diseases/HIV Clinic
• Diabetes Clinic
• Cardiology Clinic
• Women's Clinic
• Renal Clinic
• Oncology Clinic
• GI/Hepatology Clinic
• Home Based Health Care
• Home IV Therapy
Practice Management
Practice management for the inpatient and outpatient sections is covered through an initial training session and several rotational experiences throughout the residency. Activities in this area provide experience in the overall direction and integration of pharmacy services.
Activities in this area include:
• Administrative projects
• Continuous quality improvement sessions
• Monthly staffing requirements
• Management of controlled substances
• Interdepartmental projects and correspondence
• Workload / priority management
• Formulary / budget reviews and recommendations
Drug Information and Drug Use Policy Development:
Multiple opportunities during the Medication Use Evaluation rotation and throughout the residency provide experience in drug information and drug use policy development.
Activities in these areas include:
• Formulary management
• Formulary monographs and drug reviews
• Drug information
• Pharmacy Drug Bulletin Newsletter
• Staff presentations
• Adverse drug reaction reporting
• Medication error reporting
Rotation Descriptions
Clinical Rotations
The eight clinical rotations are described below. In addition, two elective rotations allow the resident to tailor the program to his or her interests.
GENERAL INTERNAL MEDICINE CLINIC
GIMC (4-8 weeks)
The resident will be involved in various ambulatory care clinics at the Medical Center. Clinic exposure will allow the resident to enhance counseling skills and provide drug information to various healthcare providers. With the initiation of a new Clinical Pharmacy clinic, the resident will have direct patient contact and extensive provider interaction. The resident will participate in a collaborative work environment with multidisciplinary teams. Other opportunities include active involvement in weekly Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) clinic.
SURGERY
SURG (4 weeks)
The resident rounds daily with the general, vascular, or cardiothoracic surgery teams. Residents will be responsible for discharge counseling and patient education (inhaler use, warfarin initiation, and diabetes education). As part of the multidisciplinary nutrition team, the resident is responsible for monitoring total parenteral nutrition.
MEDICATION USE EVALUATION
MUE (4 weeks)
The resident will conduct medication use evaluations and participate in JCAHO activities. Additional responsibilities include addressing drug information questions and formulary issues, preparing drug monographs, and developing monthly Drug Bulletins. Residents also participate in meetings at the local and national levels.
AMERICAN LAKE
AL (4-8 weeks)
This lakefront location provides the resident opportunities to participate in general medicine and specialty areas, including Psychiatry, Geriatrics, and Women's Clinics. The newly renovated ambulatory care clinic has designated pharmacy counseling areas.
GENERAL INTERNAL MEDICINE
MED (8 weeks)
On this rotation, the resident is the assigned clinical pharmacist for a medical team. Responsibilities include rounding with the medical team, assessing medication-related problems, monitoring daily medication therapy, conducting patient admission histories, and counseling patients on discharge medications. The resident will gain experience in both general medicine and critical care/pulmonary.
BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT UNIT
BMTU (4 weeks)
As a regional marrow transplant center, the Seattle VA provides an excellent opportunity for residents to gain experience managing the complex medication issues surrounding a bone marrow transplant. Residents monitor patient progress and assist in writing total parenteral nutrition orders.
MENTAL HEALTH
MH (4 weeks)
The mental health clinic provides the resident with the opportunity to participate in addiction treatment group sessions, weekly medication evaluation groups, patient education and counseling, and the evaluation of psychotherapy prescribing trends.
SPINAL CORD INJURY
SCI (4 weeks)
As a regional spinal cord injury center, the Seattle VA campus provides an excellent opportunity for residents to gain experience in managing the complex medication issues surrounding spinal cord trauma. Residents monitor patient progress and assist in weekly, pharmacist-directed spinal cord injury rounds.
For more information or an application, please contact:
Norman T. Suzuki, Pharm.D.
Clinical Coordinator/Residency Director
VA PSHCS, Clinical Support Services
1660 S. Columbian Way (S-119)
Seattle, WA 98108
(206) 277-1222
E-mail: norman.suzuki@med.va.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Pharmacy Residents train at VA PSHCS each year?
How do I apply for a Residency position at VA PSHCS?
How much Staffing is required of the residents?
What types of Elective rotations are available?
Can I do an elective at a different site?
How is the performance of Pharmacy Residents evaluated?
What types of health benefits are available to Pharmacy Residents?
Do Pharmacy Residents go to educational meetings?
Do I need an Washington Pharmacist license to be a Pharmacy Resident at VA PSHCS?
Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to be a Resident at VA PSHCS?
What type of computer and electronic resources are available at VA PSHCS?
What types of medical references are available?
What jobs have former residents taken after completing a Pharmacy Residency at VA PSHCS?
What is there to do in the Pacific Northwest?
1. How many Pharmacy Residents train at VA PSHCS each year?
VA PSHCS currently has six positions in our Pharmacy Residency Program. Residents share a centralized office and interact with each other on a daily basis.
2. How do I apply for a Residency position at VA PSHCS?
Residents are selected through the Residency Matching Program. This is administered through the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). Visit the ASHP web site at http://www.ASHP.org and select the link to “Residency and Accreditation Information” for more details about applying for a residency. For VA Application for Residents refer to http://www.va.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/vha-10-2850b-fill.pdf.”
3. How much Staffing is required of the residents?
The Pharmacy Residents are required to do a limited amount of inpatient staffing throughout the year. This helps meet the staffing experience requirement for accredited Pharmacy Practice Residencies. During this staffing experience the Resident will review and verify medication orders and perform clinical pharmacy monitoring functions.
4. What types of Elective rotations are available?
Pharmacy Residents have 2 elective months during the year. These electives may include (but are not limited to) cardiology, infectious diseases, critical care, cardiology, women’s clinic, and oncology. The elective time is used to tailor specific interests of the resident within the training program.
5. Can I do an elective at a different site?
It is possible for one elective to be done outside of VA PSHCS. An outside site must be affiliated with an established residency program and the preceptor must be willing to have a resident from VA PSHCS. The resident is responsible for arranging an outside experience if one is desired.
6. How is the performance of Pharmacy Residents evaluated?
Residents are evaluated by Preceptors on every rotation. The evaluations are based on the ASHP Residency Learning System. Specific goals and objectives must be met for each of the rotations.
7. What types of health benefits are available to Pharmacy Residents?
Residents have access to the same medical and dental insurance plans that are offered to full time employees of VA PSHCS. These include a wide range of HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) and PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) health plans. Many of these plans also offer dental coverage.
8. Do Pharmacy Residents go to educational meetings?
Residents are expected to attend the ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting in December and the Western States Conference for Pharmacy Residents, Fellows, and Preceptors in May. Travel funds are not available. If funds are available, registration to the Midyear Clinical Meeting will be funded.
9. Do I need a Washington Pharmacist license to be a Pharmacy Resident at VA PSHCS?
Residents are required to have a state pharmacist license in order to fulfill their duties as a Pharmacy Resident. However, the license does not need to be from Washington. It can be a Pharmacist License from any state in the USA.
10. Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to be a Resident at VA PSHCS?
Yes. According to Federal Law, you must be a citizen of the United States of America in order to be employed as a Pharmacy Resident at VA PSHCS.
11. What type of computer and electronic resources are available at VA PSHCS?
VA PSHCS utilizes an electronic medical record. Each Pharmacy Resident desk has its own computer terminal. Residents have access to a wide variety of Windows based programs, including Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, Explorer, and Power Point. Laptop computers and overhead projectors are available for conference presentations given at VA PSHCS.
12. What types of medical references are available?
VA PSHCS has access to a large number of electronic and paper drug information and therapeutics references. Drug references include but not limited to Micromedex, AHFS Drug Information, and USP DI. Residents also have full access to Up To Date, MD Consult, and OVID/Medline. The library carries many medical text books and maintains subscriptions to various medical journals.
13. What jobs have former residents taken after completing a Pharmacy Residency at VA PSHCS?
Former residents have taken jobs in a variety of practice settings. Many former residents now work in clinical pharmacy practices in both inpatient and ambulatory care settings; many have stayed at our VA. Others have gone on to specialty programs or fellowships.
14. What is there to do in the Pacific Northwest?
Washington is home to two unique climates separated by the Cascade mountain range. Western Washington is influenced by its proximity to the Pacific Ocean and characterized by its mild seasons; whereas, Eastern Washington is known more for its dry summers and snowy winters. Washington’s coast offers breathtaking scenery and a glimpse of nature’s rugged beauty along the Olympic peninsula. Between the protected bays of the Puget Sound and the forested foothills of the Cascade Range lie miles of rich farmland and the state’s largest urban concentration – the metropolitan corridor of Olympia, Tacoma, Everett, and Seattle. The Evergreen State is densely forested with some of the world’s largest trees. Throughout this region you will find historic communities, picturesque lighthouses, and a legacy of Native American culture. There are numerous activities to suit your spirit of adventure year-round.
For more information or an application, please contact:
Norman T. Suzuki, Pharm.D.
Clinical Coordinator/Residency Director
VA PSHCS, Clinical Support Services
1660 S. Columbian Way (S-119)
Seattle, WA 98108
(206) 277-1222
E-mail: norman.suzuki@med.va.gov
|
