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PGY2 Psychiatric Pharmacy Residency

The Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center offers a 52-week Postgraduate Year Two (PGY2) Psychiatric Pharmacy Residency. Following completion of the program, the resident will have the knowledge and skills to serve as a psychopharmacology expert in inpatient, outpatient, or academic psychiatric settings. Learning in a variety of mental health practice environments and psychiatric patient populations, as well as the opportunity to function as a mid-level provider, prepares the resident to work as a Clinical Pharmacy Practitioner in Psychiatry and obtain Board Certification in Psychiatric Pharmacy.

Residency Program Specifics

  • Duration: 52-weeks
  • Number of Positions: 2
  • Application Deadline: January 2nd for Match, November 4th for VA Early Commitment 
  • Starting Date: July 1 (approximately)
  • Estimated Stipend: $52,000

Basic Requirements

  • Completion of an ASHP-accredited or candidate-status PGY1 Pharmacy Residency
  • Doctor of Pharmacy Degree (PharmD) from an ACPE-Accredited College of Pharmacy
  • Licensure may be through any U.S. State Board of Pharmacy
  • U.S. citizenship
  • Letter of intent, curriculum vitae, and three letters of reference (1 must be from current PGY1 RPD)
  • Resident must clear onboarding process through Human Resources which may include background check, physical, drug test, fingerprints, references, required vaccinations, etc. Specific details to be provided to applicants

Core Learning Experiences (All core rotations are 6 weeks with the exception of Inpatient Psych which is 8-10 weeks. * = Longitudinal experience.)

Inpatient Psychiatry (25-bed unit)

Goose Creek Outpatient Mental Health Clinic

Pain Management

Neurology

Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI, virtual or in-person options)

Homeless Patient Aligned Care Team (HPACT)*

Savannah Outpatient Mental Health Clinic*

Clozapine Treatment Team*

Pharmacy Benefits Management (PBM)*

Didactics and Leadership*

Staffing (8-16 hours/month)*

Research Project*

 

Elective Learning Experiences (Length of electives will vary between 4-6 weeks. Resident will choose 3 from the list below. Core learning experiences may be repeated as an elective.)

Clinical Resource Hub

Psychiatry Consult Service

Intensive Community Mental Health Recovery Services (ICMHR)

Substance Use Disorders/Harm Reduction 

 

Successful Program Completion Requirements

Satisfactory completion of all learning experiences, including required competency areas, projects/assignments, and evaluations.

ASHP requires 5 competency areas. Areas and associated goals and objectives are outlined below. The resident is required to attain a rating of ACHIEVED on all direct patient care goals and objectives (R1) and 85% of the remaining required goals and objectives (R2, R3, R4, R5) to successfully complete the program. For the goals/objectives rated SATISFACTORY PROGRESS, the preceptor/RPD will determine if continued progress to the expected level can be achieved as the resident continues to gain experience. 

Final drafts of all projects/presentations/assignments should be stored in the resident’s electronic folder AND PharmAcademic. Completion of the following projects/assignments:

  • Research/quality improvement project, including a presentation at a clinical meeting and a manuscript of publishable quality
    • Four comprehensive clozapine reviews
      • Approved continuing education seminar
        • Medication Use Evaluation
        • Drug class review, monograph, treatment guideline, or protocol development or review
        • Fulfill residency staffing commitment
        • Completion of topics as defined in the Appendix PGY2 Competency Areas, Goals, and Objectives for PGY2 Psychiatric Pharmacy Residencies. Topics to be tracked in quarterly development plan and PharmAcademic.
        • Participate in Pharmacy Department Recruitment Efforts for Residency Programs

Benefits

  • Four hours vacation and sick leave earned per pay period (every two weeks)
  • Paid administrative leave and financial support for educational meetings
  • Opportunity for free continuing education credits
  • Pharmacist salary for staffing hours (separate from residency stipend)
  • Health and Life insurance available
  • Free parking

Recruitment Information

  • Interviews typically take place during the months of January and February
  • All interviews will be virtual
  • The RHJ VAMC makes every effort to recruit a diverse residency class that is reflective of all segments of society and provides an environment that promotes inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (I-DEA). Our program is dedicated to the idea that increased self-awareness and appreciation for other worldviews and cultures makes pharmacists more effective clinicians, consultants, researchers, educators, and advocates.

Chief of Pharmacy 

 

Sharon Castle, Acting Assistant Director

Sharon Castle Pharm D., BCPS

Acting, Assistant Director

VA Charleston health care

Phone:

Program Director

 

Calleen Lavinghousez PharmD, BCPP

Clinical Pharmacy Specialist

VA Charleston health care

Email: Calleen.Lavinghousez@va.gov

Last updated: