Residency Overview The purpose of the VANJHCS PGY-1 Pharmacy Residency Program is to prepare the resident for direct patient care clinical pharmacy practice. Upon completion of the PGY-1 program, the resident will be eligible for board certification and a postgraduate year two (PGY-2) pharmacy specialty residency training program. Our PGY-1 residency program focuses on ambulatory care pharmacy practice. It is designed to strengthen the residents’ skills in direct patient care and medication management, clinical pharmacy practice, and leadership. Many of our preceptors have a scope of practice with prescribing privileges and work in pharmacist-run clinics. They are credentialed to provide disease state and medication management for the patients in their clinic. The pharmacist-run clinics include primary care (management of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking cessation), infectious disease, anti-coagulation and psychiatry. Most preceptors have completed residency training and are board certified within their specialty. Residents will develop the clinical and communication skills needed to provide direct patient care. As an integral member of interdisciplinary patient care teams, residents will use their drug therapy expertise and clinical judgment to improve patient outcomes. There are many opportunities to provide patient and staff education, present journal clubs and patient cases, and precept pharmacy students. Building on the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) education, learning experiences will develop well-rounded pharmacists with skills in critical thinking, project management, leadership, and oral and written communication. Everyone involved with the residency program is focused on ensuring that the residents are able to get the most out of the residency year. Residents will be well prepared for PGY-2 specialty training or clinical pharmacy practice. There are 7 required core and 5 elective rotations as well as required longitudinal rotations. Please visit https://www.newjersey.va.gov/services/PharmacyResidency.asp for more information | 
