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Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks provides training programs for students at the college, university, and postgraduate levels. Explore our training programs to find out about how we can help you start your career as a health care professional.
The PGY-1 Residency in Pharmacy Practice is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists.
The Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks PGY1 Pharmacy Residency provides professional training in various clinical settings; inpatient and outpatient pharmacy services, pharmacokinetic dosing, patient education and counseling, and administrative services.
Clinical rotations provide the opportunity to practice direct patient care in a variety of pharmacotherapy settings.
Required 6-Week Learning Experiences
The complete list of the competencies, goals, and objectives commensurate with those of the ASHP Learning Objectives for PGY1 Residency Training will be provided to each successful candidate. The global competency area of the residency include, but are not limited to: • In collaboration with the health care team, provide safe and effective patient care to a diverse range of patients, including those with multiple co-morbidities, high-risk medication regimens, and multiple medications following a consistent patient care process. • Ensure continuity of care during patient transitions between care settings. • Prepare, dispense, and manage medications to support safe and effective drug therapy for patients. • Demonstrate ability to evaluate and investigate practice, review data, and assimilate scientific evidence to improve patient care and/or the medication use system. • Demonstrate leadership skills. • Demonstrate management skills. • Provide effective medication and practice-related education to patients, caregivers, health care professionals, students, and the public (individuals and groups). • Effectively employs appropriate preceptors’ roles when engaged in teaching (e.g., students, pharmacy technicians, or other health care professionals).
While the residency provides a wide range of learning experiences (as mentioned in the overview), the learning experiences listed below are required for completion of the program:
The Pharmacy Orientation learning experience is a required learning experience for the PGY1 pharmacy resident. This is a 5-week learning experience in which the resident will be oriented to the facility, pharmacy service, and the PGY1 Pharmacy Residency program. The resident will receive specialized training with pertinent VA computer software. The resident will complete paperwork with Human Resources and begin Pharmacy Service orientation on Day 1.
The resident will be responsible for completion of an orientation checklist (to be provided by Pharmacy Supervisor or Residency Program Director) and will begin training as an Inpatient and Outpatient Clinical Staff Pharmacist. The resident will be provided training in VA ADERS, Prior Authorization Drug Review (PADR) Consults, and Lost-Opportunity Cost (LOC) initiatives. The resident will be provided a brief introduction to the Residency Learning System and PharmAcademic.
Acute Care (Internal Medicine & Critical Care) is a required, six-week learning experience at the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks (VHSO). This facility has 58 acute care beds, including 7 ICU beds, for both medical and surgical patients. During the Acute Care learning experience, the resident will be responsible for patients in the ICU and other patients on Ward 2A and 2B, as assigned.
While acting under the supervision of the Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, routine responsibilities of the resident include, but are not limited to: ensure safe and effective medication use prescribed to inpatients, address formal pharmacotherapy consults with monitoring and proper documentation, provide drug information to both patients and providers, conduct medication reconciliation where appropriate, perform counseling sessions for all patients admitted with or started on anticoagulants, and provide discharge counseling where appropriate.
The drug information rotation at VHSO provides an intensive, dynamic experience in drug information and evidence-based practice. It is supplemented by opportunities to participate in the VHSO Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee, MUE projects, and develop scientific writing skills. While providing significant experience in drug information and evidence-based practice, the rotation provides flexibility to tailor some activities to personal areas of interest. Residents are encouraged to explore areas of interest and develop projects around those areas. Activities in the drug information learning experience may overlap with the residency project learning experience.
The Education longitudinal learning experience encompasses the requirements of the resident to complete at least 4 journal club presentations, at least 2 formal CE presentations, and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) College of Pharmacy Teaching Certificate Program. This learning experience provides the resident with a significant opportunity to further develop presentation skills throughout the year.
The evaluation of medication use systems longitudinal experience is designed to provide the resident with experience in various aspects of the medication use systems at the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks (VHSO). The resident will become familiar with quality assurance, root cause analysis (RCA), adverse drug event and adverse drug reaction reporting, and medication use evaluations (MUEs).
In this 6-week learning experience, the PGY1 pharmacy resident will provide pharmaceutical care in the ambulatory setting within the Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT). The resident will interact with an interdisciplinary team including, physicians, midlevel providers, nursing staff, social workers, clerical staff, dieticians, patients, and caregivers. Emphasis within this experience will be placed on identifying, resolving, and preventing medication-related problems, as well as, effectively communicating with patients and health care professionals. The resident will actively participate in developing and documenting medication management plans, discover drug-induced problems, optimize drug therapy, and counsel patients. Teaching opportunities include providing pharmacy related education to patients, caregivers, and staff.
In this six-week learning experience, the residents will develop knowledge and understanding of the role of the Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (CPS). To achieve the desired level of familiarity, the resident will:
In this six-week learning experience, the pharmacy resident will work in both inpatient and outpatient clinic settings and interact with all team members including physicians, APNs, nurses, social workers, psychologists, counselors, patients, and caregivers.
This rotation is designed to allow the resident to gain independence as a pharmacist as a member of a multidisciplinary healthcare team and to improve literary retrieval skills and communication with patients and with other healthcare providers. The resident is responsible for identifying, preventing, and resolving medication therapy issues for patients and serving as a drug information resource for the team. Residents will actively participate in discovering drug-induced problems, adjusting doses when necessary, counseling patients on medications when appropriate, and making sure patients are on the optimal drug regimen for each condition or disease state. Additionally, if applicable, the resident will have the opportunity to serve as a co-preceptor for 4th-year pharmacy students.
This rotation is designed to develop the following skills: presenting patients while utilizing the appropriate SOAP note format, completing medication reconciliation, selecting appropriate pharmacologic therapies, identifying potential and actual drug-related problems, performing polypharmacy reviews, monitoring medications, and assisting in the training of pharmacy students when they are present.
The pharmacy resident is required to conduct and complete a residency project by the end of the residency year. The resident is required to identify a topic that results in the improvement of patient care and/or increases adherence to medication prescribing practices at the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks. The following is a list of goals and/or responsibilities that may be included in this rotation and is not all-inclusive:
The Staffing longitudinal is a required learning experience for the pharmacy practice resident. This is a 12 month long experience in which the resident will train and function in the role of a Clinical Staff Pharmacist at the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks (VHSO).
The resident will review, interpret, and verify medication orders for appropriateness, participate in patient medication profile review (allergies, drug interactions, labs, etc.), and provide drug and policy information to patients and medical center staff.
The Pharmacy Management learning experience is a required longitudinal learning experience in which the resident will participate in the management of pharmacy services while becoming familiar with the practical application of pharmacoeconomic principles commonly utilized in the VA healthcare environment. Training will involve independent readings (as assigned by the preceptor), didactic sessions, and tasks requiring application of material learned. The resident will work with a variety of VHSO pharmacy employees in diverse areas to accomplish tasks for this learning experience. Projects will be developed and assigned by the preceptor at the direction of committees, task forces, and informal groups and may involved independent or group learning experiences. The resident will receive computer training to aid with the collection and analysis of information used in pharmacoeconomic analysis. Resident may utilized parts of their 4 hours of dedicated administrative times to complete tasks associated with this learning experience or incorporate throughout other learning experience activities. Projects common to this longitudinal experience include, but are not limited to:
All applicants must be graduates of an accredited pharmacy program in the United States and must possess an active license. United States citizenship is required.
Due to the need for virtual recruitment this year, our program will host supplemental video conference sessions during the month of December. Applicants may choose to attend one of the sessions for the opportunity to learn more about our program as well as meet the RPD, current residents, and various preceptors. To attend a session, please see dates, times, and Microsoft Teams links below.
Contact Marcus Costner, PharmD, BCPS, at 800-691-8387ext. 65986 or email at marcus.costner@va.gov or Jennifer Stark, PharmD, BCPS, FCCP, at 800-691-8387 ext. 65248 or email at Jennifer.stark2@va.gov .
Associate Chief of Clinical Pharmacy, PGY-1Pharmacy Residency Program Director
VA Fayetteville Arkansas health care
Email: marcus.costner@va.gov
The Doctoral Psychology Internship at Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks is fully APA accredited and a member of APPIC. Our next site visit is scheduled for 2028.
We have been an APPIC member program since September 2015 and have been fully accredited by APA since July 2018. The program participates in the Match process and abides by the selection procedures used by APPIC. Our APPIC Match Number is 233711.
Our program has three funded intern positions for the 2023-24 training year, which will commence on the fourth Monday in August. The psychology internship at VHSO provides generalist training while also offering the opportunity to focus on PTSD treatment, Neuropsychology, or outpatient General Mental Health through your choice of major rotation. We enjoy a collegial environment and pride ourselves on our flexible, individualized approach to training. Faculty and interns collaborate in selecting minor rotations and other clinical experiences that best suit each intern’s needs and objectives for training. In accordance with VA policy, doctoral students in American Psychological Association (APA) or Canadian Psychological Association (CPA) accredited doctoral programs in Clinical, Counseling, or Combined psychology or at Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS) accredited programs in Clinical Science are eligible to apply. All coursework for the doctoral degree must be completed prior to the start of the internship year, as well as any qualifying, comprehensive, or preliminary doctoral examinations. Because of the intensity of the training year, we prefer candidates whose doctoral dissertations will be completed, or nearly completed, before the internship. However, because internship is part of the pre-doctoral training requirement, interns must not be granted their degree by their academic institution prior to successful completion of the internship year.
For eligibility requirements please visit the Office of Academic Affiliations.
Questions regarding the program's accreditation status should be directed to the APA Commission on Accreditation.
Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association 750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002 Phone: 202-336-5979 Email: apaaccred@apa.org Web: APA Accreditation
The application deadline is November 10, 2022.
Our clinical rotations currently offer structured experience in:
Our rotation offerings sometimes change with changes in staffing. When possible, we work with interns to find or create training experiences that fit their goals. Please see the brochure or talk to us for more information.
The VHSO Psychology Internship participates in the APPIC Internship Matching Program (the Match) and complies with the policies and rules of the Match. Application to the VHSO Psychology Internship can only be made with the APPIC Application for Psychology Internship Online (AAPI Online). We invite applications from doctoral students in clinical psychology, counseling psychology, combined clinical/counseling psychology, psychological clinical science, or from students in accredited respecialization programs.
The VHSO is an equal opportunity training program, and we are constantly seeking to increase the diversity of our trainees and faculty. We believe that our field is best served when it draws on the richness of a wide range of cultures, subcultures, personal characteristics, and theoretical perspectives. Diversity is inherent in all aspects of human relations, and we are committed to the ideal that recognizing and respecting our diversity improves our ability to provide quality training and clinical services as well as facilitating personal and professional growth. Applicant screening and selection is merit based, with no preference based on age, sex, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual or gender orientation, political affiliation, or disability status. Members of groups that have been underrepresented in professional psychology are particularly encouraged to apply and share their perspectives with the patients and staff.
We will consider all applications for the 2023-2024 training year that are received by or on November 10, 2022. Applicants should identify in their application material the area of emphasis (PTSD, General Mental Health, or Neuropsychology) in which they are most interested. We aim to match with one applicant in each of these three areas of primary training emphasis.
We plan to conduct interviews by video conference on two days, Friday, December 16 and Thursday, January 5. We will make alternative arrangements for applicants who do not have access to compatible technology or who are not available on either of our scheduled interview days.
To apply for the VHSO Psychology Internship, you should:
For questions about the AAPI Online or APPIC Match, please contact APPIC directly at 202-347-0022, or see their webpage at www.appic.org for more information.
For detailed information about eligibility for federal employment and VA internships, please see our brochure or https://www.va.gov/oaa/hpt-eligibility.asp.
For any other questions, contact the Training Director or Assistant Training Director:
James M. Fuendeling, PhD, Training Director at 479-443-4301 Ext. 67515 or James.Fuendeling@va.gov
Hilary Casner, PhD, Assistant Training Director at 479-443-4301 Ext. 65702 or Hilary.Casner@va.gov
Date Program Tables are updated: September 1
As articulated in Standard I.B.2, programs may have “admission and employment policies that directly relate to affiliation or purpose” that may be faith-based or secular in nature. However, such policies and practices must be disclosed to the public. Therefore, programs are asked to respond to the following questions
VA Fayetteville Arkansas health care
Email: James.Fuendeling@va.gov
VA Fayetteville Arkansas health care
Email: Hilary.Casner@va.gov
The Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks (VHSO) Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residency is designed to provide education and experience at the postdoctoral level to the recent dental school graduate.
VHSO Dentistry staff consists of seven general dentists, two specialists (oral surgeon, periodontist), three hygienists, 11 dental assistants, three laboratory technicians, and two administrative support personnel.
Patient care experience encompasses a wide range of patients. These include non-medically compromised as well as medically compromised patients, both ambulatory and non-ambulatory. The AEGD resident provides comprehensive dental care to patients with an emphasis on the diagnosis of oral and maxillofacial disease and the thorough assessment of patients’ general health and functional ability.
The dental resident will enhance his/her knowledge and skills in all phases of dentistry through clinical and didactic training. Advanced experience and knowledge is gained in all of the disciplines of dentistry such as endodontics, implants, oral surgery, periodontics, prosthodontics, and restorative dentistry.
The clinical activities take place at the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks. The majority of the resident’s time is spent at the VA dental clinic performing comprehensive dentistry on ambulatory outpatients with supervision from full and part-time faculty. The patients treated by the AEGD residents often present with complex dental treatment needs that require expertise in many dental disciplines to appropriately diagnose and treat. These patients also have a wide range of medical conditions that need to be considered prior to treatment.
Residents are assigned their own dental operatory and work with an assigned dental assistant. Specific rotations in anesthesia, oral surgery, and periodontics are included throughout the year.
The didactic portion of the program includes weekly and monthly seminars by VA faculty, webinars, and courses in advanced cardiac life support and advanced dental diagnosis.
Residents will receive lectures and presentations in providing comprehensive care to patients. Strong emphasis is placed on proper diagnostic skills.
Clinical work in this area provides the resident with varied experiences to improve his/her proficiency in operative procedures. Lectures and demonstrations are presented throughout the year.
The resident will spend considerable time in oral surgery under the supervision of our oral surgeon. Residents will perform extractions and be trained in surgical procedures in the dental clinic and the Medical Center operating rooms. Oral surgery performed will include removal of impacted teeth (often with IV sedation), osseous and soft tissue surgery, implant placement and biopsies.
The resident will plan, place, and restore single unit and multiple unit implants. The resident experiences all phases in the fabrication of full dentures, partial dentures, crowns, bridges, and immediate dentures.
Diagnosis etiology and rationale of periodontal treatment are presented. The importance of follow-up home care and professional maintenance is stressed. Specific periodontal treatment is presented by lecture, demonstration and supervised treatment by the periodontist.
Both the theory and techniques of conventional endodontics are presented. Training includes use of rotary system, warm vertical condensation, use of apex locater and microscope.
The clinical program is oriented toward a general practice schedule, with the exception of rotations dedicated to time with the oral surgeon, periodontist, and anesthesiologist. However, most dental treatment is provided as a private practice so that each day is varied and residents are able to control their own appointment schedules. It is a flexible program where residents may pursue individual interests while completing required assignments in various fields of dentistry.
The goals of this program encompass the required CODA goals of general dentistry, resident education, patient care, and community service. They include:
VHSO participates in PASS. Please enroll in this service so that we can obtain the required documents by identifying our program (VA Medical Center, Fayetteville) as one to which you want a completed PASS application sent.
For academic year starting in July 2023-June 2024 - the application deadline is October 15, 2022.
Interviews will be held November 2022.
Selection of residents and letters of notification will be sent on or around December 1, 2022.
Residency dates: July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
Be aware that when applying through PASS, the deadline for submitting all required material is approximately two weeks prior to our program deadline.
Utilizing the 15 CODA required areas of competency - we have put together a clinical and didactic schedule which includes:
Clinic hours: Monday-Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For more information about the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks and the Advanced Education in General Dentistry program, please contact the residency director, Dr. Ericksen at 479-444-5042.
VA Fayetteville Arkansas health care
Email: jacqueline.hoggard@va.gov
Advanced Education in General Dentistry Director
VA Fayetteville Arkansas health care
Email: ashley.ericksen@va.gov
Advanced Education in General Dentistry Assistant Director
VA Fayetteville Arkansas health care
Email: laurel.trotter@va.gov