Pharmacy Residency Programs

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

SFVAHCS is a leader in developing and sustaining a diverse, equitable, inclusive (DEI) and engaged workforce. Our DEI mission is to embrace and celebrate diversity in an inclusive community, where Veterans and employees are fully engaged and valued.  Our DEI vision is an innovative and welcoming community grounded in respect, safety, and connection where Veterans receive unparalleled, individualized care and employees fulfill their greatest potential.  The San Francisco VA Health Care System is recognized VA-wide for its innovation, collaboration and leadership in DEI as the first VA health care system to establish an Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.  Employees have the opportunity to engage in DEI training and participate in efforts to further our DEI journey.

PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program

The Pharmacy Service offers three PGY1 pharmacy residencies: 

• PGY1 Pharmacy Residency
• PGY1 Pharmacy Residency with Geriatrics Electives
• PGY1 Pharmacy Residency with Ambulatory Care Electives

Learn more about each program below and view the PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Program FAQ below

The PGY1 Pharmacy Residency (NMS Code 188313)

The PGY1 Pharmacy Residency offers a flexible program which provides a concentrated clinical, teaching, and administrative experience with experienced, individualized preceptorship. Residents are required to complete a quality improvement project in conjunction with Lean Yellow Belt Certification, which is presented at the Western States Conference for Pharmacy Residents, Fellows and Preceptors. All PGY1 residents actively participate in the Education in Patient Aligned Care Team (EdPACT) program, which promotes a patient-centered, interprofessional teaming environment.

Required rotations include:

• Foundations in Practice (FIP): Orientation/Training
• Internal Medicine
• Introduction to Medication Safety – VA ADERS & ISMP
• Inpatient Operations (Unit Dose, Discharge and IV Additives)
• Formulary Management
• PGY1 Teaching Certificate
• Chief Resident
• PACT Clinic
• Residency Project
• Conference Presentation

Required longitudinal rotations include:

• Drug Regimen Review
• EdPACT
• Inpatient and Discharge Pharmacy Staffing

Elective rotations include:

• Advanced Medicine
• Advanced PACT
• Anticoagulation Clinic
• Critical Care
• Emergency Medical Team/Simulation - Code Blue & Acute Stroke
• Epilepsy Clinic
• Geriatric Medicine (CLC)
• Geriatrics Clinic
• Harm Reduction and Syringe Services Program
• Hepatology & Infectious Diseases (Outpatient)
• Home Based Primary Care
• Hospice & Palliative Care
• Infections Disease Consult Service and Antibiotic Stewardship
• Infectious Diseases Clinic
• Inpatient Anticoagulation Consult Service
• Liver Clinic
• Medication Safety
• Oncology (Infusion Center and Inpatient Consult Service)
• PACT (Layered Learning)
• PADRECC
• Pain Management
• Pharmacy Administration
• Substance Use Disorder Clinic
• Surgery

The PGY1 Pharmacy Residency with Geriatrics Electives (NMS Code 188322)

One position is reserved each year for residents who desire more experience in the geriatric setting. Residents choosing to focus electives in geriatrics will complete the same core required rotations as other PGY1 pharmacy residents at San Francisco VA Health Care System, but will also complete 12 weeks of geriatric rotations, in lieu of other elective rotations. Applicants must apply separately to this program using the NMS code listed above.

Geriatric rotations include:

• Geriatric Medicine (CLC)
• Geriatrics Clinics
• PADRECC (includes  Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorder Clinic)
• Home Based Primary Care
• Hospice & Palliative Care
• Epilepsy Clinic

The PGY1 Pharmacy Residency with Ambulatory Care Electives (NMS Code 188321)

Two positions are reserved each year for residents who desire more experience in the ambulatory care setting. Residents choosing to focus electives in ambulatory care will complete the same core required rotations as other PGY1 pharmacy residents at San Francisco VA Health Care System, but will also complete a 12-week longitudinal experience in additional ambulatory care clinics, in lieu of other elective rotations. Applicants must apply separately to this program using the NMS code listed above.

Possible ambulatory care clinics include:

• Liver Clinic
• Infectious Diseases Clinic
• Home Based Primary Care
• Geriatrics Clinic
• Pain Management
• Epilepsy Clinic
• PADRECC (includes Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorder Clinic)
• Substance Use Disorder Clinic
• Anticoagulation Clinic

Contact Information for the PGY1 Pharmacy Residency Programs:

Sara Jacobs Librodo, Pharm.D., BCPS, CPE
PGY1 Residency Program Director
Email: sara.librodo@va.gov

Paul Librodo, Pharm.D., BCPS
PGY1 Residency Program Coordinator
Email: paul.librodo@va.gov

PGY2 Pain Management & Palliative Care Residency Program

Program Goals and Objectives

1. Develop clinical skills necessary to provide safe and effective pain management 

2. Demonstrate effective verbal and written communication skills

3. Effectively integrate with interdisciplinary teams to influence positive outcomes in patient care

4. Develop leadership and management skills

5. Provide education to patients, caregivers and other health care professionals

6. Conduct quality improvement study and/or medication use evaluation to improve medication use processes  

Program Philosophy

The San Francisco VA Health Care System PGY2 Pain Management and Palliative Care Residency program focuses on developing knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to confidently provide safe and comprehensive pain management and palliative care pharmacotherapy management for patients as an integral member of an interdisciplinary team. The resident will build on the clinical skills and knowledge acquired after completing an ASHP-accredited PGY1 Pharmacy residency program.

Required Rotations

• Orientation
• Chronic Pain Clinic
• Integrated Pain Team
• Perioperative Pain Clinic
• Acute Pain
• Inpatient Hospice and Palliative Care 
• Substance Use Disorder Clinic
• Home-Based Primary Care & Movement Disorders
• Teaching Certificate
• Palliative Care Clinic

Longitudinal Rotations

• Residency Project
• Pain Management, Opioid Safety and Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PMOP) Committee
• Teaching Certificate

Elective Rotations

• Harm Reduction and Syringe Services Program
• Oncology
• Pharmacy Administration
• Practice Management
• Repeat of core rotation, with advanced practice

Application Requirements

• United States citizen
• Earned Doctor of Pharmacy from accredited college of pharmacy
• Graduate of an ASHP-accredited (or candidate status) PGY1 residency program
• Must submit application materials through PhORCAS

Application Materials Required

• Letter of intent which should address:

1. What interests you in pursuing pain management and palliative care specialty?

2. Why you are interested in this program?

3. How do expect this program to help you achieve your short-term and long-term goals?

4. A significant challenge that you encountered in your academic, personal, or professional career to date.

• Curriculum Vitae
• Official college of pharmacy transcripts
• Three (3) letters of recommendation using standard template in PhORCAS (no longer requiring formal letters of recommendation)

Benefits

• Competitive stipend
• 11 federal holidays per year
• Health/dental/vision insurance
• 13 vacation and 13 sick days (accrued)

View our PGY2 residency program brochure below:

To learn more, view the SFVAHCS PGY2 Pain Management & Palliative Care Pharmacy Residency Program FAQ below:

Contact Information for the PGY2 Pain Management & Palliative Care Pharmacy Residency Program:

Sara Jacobs Librodo, Pharm.D., BCPS, CPE
PGY2 Pain Management & Palliative Care Pharmacy Residency Program Manager
Email: sara.librodo@va.gov

*Note: This residency site agrees that no person at this site will solicit, accept, or use any ranking-related information from any residency applicant.