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Wednesday, May 15 was the last day of operations at the VA clinic in Tulare. Starting Monday (May 20th), Veterans will be able to get their care at the brand new VA clinic in Visalia. 

PGY2 Psychiatric Pharmacy Residency Program

VA Central California Health Care System (VACCHCS) welcomes you to its PGY2 Pharmacy Residency Program

About the Program

The VACCHCS PGY2 psychiatric pharmacy program builds upon the knowledge and skills obtained in the PGY1 residency experience and focuses on evaluation and treatment of psychiatric disorders. There will be exposure to multiple experiences that will prepare the PGY2 resident to enter practice as an independent clinical pharmacy specialist in a diverse range of practice settings. Eligible to seek specialty board certification in psychiatric pharmacy.

General Information

Number of Positions: 1
Duration: 12 months
Program Benefits:

  • For estimated stipend and other details, please visit the ASHP Online Directory
  • Vacation days: 13*
  • Sick days: 13*
  • Federal Holidays: 11

*Paid vacation (4 hours) and sick leave (4 hours) accrued every two weeks

Learning Experiences:

 Core Experiences (5 weeks each):

  • Adult Inpatient Psychiatry I & II (Acute Care)
  • Mental Health Outpatient Clinic I & II (Ambulatory Care)
  • Substance Use Disorders Clinic I & II (Ambulatory Care)

 Selected Experiences (5 weeks each, minimum of one):

  • Consultation Liaison & Emergency Psychiatry
  • Geriatric Psychiatry
  • Pain Management

Elective Experiences (5 weeks each, 2 electives):

  • Academic Detailing
  • Administration
  • Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI)
  • Pharmacogenomics

 Longitudinal Experiences (Year-long, starting after orientation):

  • Ambulatory Care: Benzodiazepine Taper, Clozapine, Nightmares, Smoking Cessation
  • Major Project
  • Practice Management and Leadership Development
  • VA Teaching & Precepting Certificate (Optional)

How to Apply

Requirements:

  • United States Citizenship
  • PGY1 Completion (Must present certificate of graduation within 14-days of PGY2 program start)
  • Graduation from an ACPE-accredited school or college of pharmacy
  • Registered in the ASHP Resident Matching Program
  • Letter of intent
  • Curriculum vitae
  • At least two (2) letters of recommendation
    • One letter must be from your PGY1 Residency Program Director 
    • Letters must be submitted via standardized PhORCAS form
  • Interview (in-person or virtual)

Application Deadline: 
Completed application must be submitted via PhORCAS by January 3rd

Program Code: 01112 
NMS Code: 710566

Program Contact Information

Please feel free to contact the program with any questions!

Residency Program Director 
Nader Nassar, PharmD, BCPP 
Nader.Nassar@va.gov 
559-225-6100, ext. 5134

Residency Program Coordinator 
David Charlestham, PharmD, BCPP 
David.Charlestham@va.gov 
559-225-6100, ext. 4883