PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program

Thank you for your interest in the VACCHCS PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program. This residency is an ASHP-accredited program established in 2010, with two PGY1 positions offered annually.

Program Purpose

The purpose of this program matches the ASHP Accreditation Standard for Postgraduate Pharmacy Residency Programs. It builds upon Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) education and outcomes to develop pharmacist practitioners with knowledge, skills, and abilities as defined in the ASHP educational competency areas, goals, and objectives. Residents who successfully complete the program will be skilled in diverse patient care, practice management, leadership, and education, and be prepared to provide patient care, seek board certification in pharmacotherapy (i.e., BCPS), and pursue advanced education and training opportunities including postgraduate year two (PGY2) residencies.

Program Description

This residency program offers a comprehensive year of education and experience within a challenging and progressive learning environment. Emphasis is placed on providing patient care, practice advancement, leadership, and teaching and education experiences. Residents serve the Veteran population in ambulatory, acute, and long-term care settings. They participate in formulary and medication-use management, medication safety, quality improvement, and continuous professional development. Residents also precept students and educate patients and healthcare professionals. The program is flexible and designed to provide a well-rounded foundation with experiences and preceptorship tailored to the individual resident.

Program Structure

The residency program consists of an introduction, seven core rotations, four longitudinal rotations, and three elective rotations. Core and elective rotations are typically five weeks in duration. Longitudinal experiences begin after orientation and last the duration of the year.

Required Core Rotations:

• Inpatient Pharmacy/IV Orientation (first or second rotation).
• Outpatient Pharmacy Orientation (first or second rotation).
• Acute Care Internal Medicine I (General Medicine) and II (ICU).
• Ambulatory Care I (Fresno Primary Care) and II (Fresno and Oakhurst Primary Care/Women’s Health).
• Practice Management. 

Required Longitudinal Rotations:

• Ambulatory Care:
  • Residents rotate in a selected ambulatory care clinic for one half-day every week.
  • Clinic opportunities may include: Anticoagulation, Benzodiazepine Taper, Clozapine, Erythropoietin, Hematology/Oncology, Pain Management, Primary Care, Psychiatry, Pulmonary. 
• Major Residency Project:
  • Residents complete a major project and present it at a regional conference.
• Project Management and Leadership Development:
  • Residents complete a medication use evluation for poster presentation at a national pharmacy conference, participate in leadership and medication safety initiatives, lead student education discussions, learn how to self-evaluate and incorporate feedback for continuous professional development, and take part in the local Pharmacy and Therapeutics (P&T) Committee.
• Staffing:
  • Residents staff inpatient, which balances their longitudinal ambulatory care experience. They staff one weekend and one evening shift (four hours) every three weeks, and two minor holidays. 
• VA Teaching and Precepting Certificate:
  • Residents are prepared for future teaching responsibilities with an emphasis on skills required in the precepting of pharmacy trainees, and are awarded a certificate from the VA Pharmacy Residency Program Office.  

Elective Rotations:
Elective opportunities may include: Academic Detailing, Anticoagulation, Emergency Medicine, Geriatrics, Hematology/Oncology, Infectious Diseases, Informatics, Managed Care, Pain Management, Psychiatric Acute Care, Psychiatric Ambulatory Care. 

Program Benefits

• For estimated stipend and other details, please visit the ASHP Online Directory.
• Four hours paid vacation and four hours paid sick leave accrued every two weeks (total of 13 days paid vacation and 13 days sick leave). 
• Eleven paid federal holidays; residents are given nine holidays off and staff two minor holidays.
• Federal health benefits and life insurance available. 
• Education and travel allowances (subject to approval) for select conferences such as ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting and Western States Conference.

Pharmacy Residency Resources

VACCHCS PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program resources are available on the Pharmacy Benefits Management Services VA Pharmacy Residency Program Website.

For more information about VA Training Programs, visit the Office of Academic Affiliations Website.

See the Pharmacist Career in VA Website and the VHA Pharmacist Brochure to explore VA Pharmacist career opportunities.

Pharmacy residents choose to train at VACCHCS for several reasons, including to serve Veterans, gain diverse and comprehensive experience tailored to their individual goals and interests, and to practice in a progressive, challenging, and supportive training environment. VACCHCS is committed to providing outstanding care for Veterans, training future healthcare professionals, and conducting research. The facility has four locations, including its medical center in Fresno and three community-based outpatient clinics in Merced, Oakhurst, and Visalia. A full range of patient care services are offered with state-of-the-art technology. The Fresno campus has over 110 beds for emergency, general medicine/intensive care, surgical, and acute psychiatric care. It also has a 60-bed Community Living Center (skilled nursing and rehabilitation care), primary and specialty care clinics, and an inpatient and outpatient pharmacy. Over 80 pharmacists and technicians are integrated throughout the healthcare system in acute, primary, specialty, and geriatric/extended care areas as well as in operational and administrative/program management roles. Pharmacists with a scope of practice can function as mid-level practitioners, allowing them to prescribe medications, order testing, and place consults. VACCHCS pharmacy residents rotate across all areas and have opportunity to practice at the top of their license, allowing them to build a well-rounded, strong foundation for their future. Being a teaching facility, VACCHCS has affiliations with various health discipline programs including multiple schools of pharmacy and the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine. In pharmacy there are over 30 preceptors who are dedicated to educating and mentoring students and residents. The culture is close-knit and supportive. This fosters an ideal training environment with excellent opportunities for layered learning and interdisciplinary education and research. Additionally, joining VACCHCS means also joining the largest integrated healthcare system and provider of healthcare training in the nation. Pharmacy residents have access to resources, opportunities, and support not only at the local facility, but also at regional and national VA levels. 

 VACCHCS is in the San Joaquin Valley in Central CA. Fresno is the fifth largest city in the state and is also considered the agricultural capitol of the world with fresh produce and farmers markets year-round. Residents enjoy the benefits of living in a big city that also feels small-town and rural. Fresno is also known as a year-round playground with over 300 sunny days per year. Nestled between the Central Coast and Sierra NV mountains, it is surrounded by beautiful natural scenery. Nearby are the Kings Canyon, Sequoia, and Yosemite National Parks, which are home to the largest trees on earth. There are many great indoor and outdoor activities available including shopping, dining, arts, and recreation. To learn more about Fresno County, visit the Fresno/Clovis Convention & Visitors Bureau website.

Requirements to Apply:

• PharmD Degree from an accredited (ACPE) school of pharmacy.
• Licensure or eligibility for licensure in any state (must be licensed by October 31 of residency year).
• United States Citizenship.
• Registered in the ASHP Resident Matching Program.

Application:

• Applications are due January 2nd. All materials must be submitted via PhORCAS, including:
  • Letter of intent.
  • Curriculum vitae.
  • Official academic transcripts.
  • Three letters of recommendation using PhORCAS Standardized Reference Form; at least one letter should come from a preceptor with whom the applicant had a clinical rotation.  

An interview is required for selected applications. Interviews take place in February.

The Match:

• ASHP Program Code: 92037.

NMS Code: 188813.           

VACCHCS Pharmacy: 
Veterans Affairs Central California Health Care System 
2615 E. Clinton Avenue (119) Fresno, CA 93703 
559-225-6100, ext. 5119

Kori E. Malepsy, PharmD, BCPS 
PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program Director 
Student Education Coordinator 
Medication Safety Officer 
559-241-6490 
Kori.Malepsy@va.gov

David Charlestham, PharmD, BCPP
PGY1/PGY2 Residency Program Coordinator
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Mental Health
559-225-6100, ext. 4883
David.Charlestham@va.gov

 Nader Nassar, PharmD, BCPP
PGY2 Residency Program Director
PGY1 Residency Program Coordinator
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, Mental Health
559-225-6100, ext. 5134
Nader.Nassar@va.gov