Columbia VA Pharmacy Residency Program

The Columbia VA Health Care System (Columbia VAHCS) in Columbia, SC is comprised of the main campus (Dorn VA Medical Center) as well as 7 community-based outpatient clinic (CBOCs) throughout the state. We have 2 pharmacy residency programs: PGY1 and PGY2 Ambulatory Care and each program is a hospital-based, 12-month residency that offers comprehensive training with emphasis on pharmacotherapy management. Practice components include pharmacy-run clinics, formulary management, drug-use policy development, clinical interventions, research, adverse drug reaction and medication error reporting, medication use evaluation, and participation in Pharmacy Benefits Management (PBM) and other multidisciplinary committee meetings.

Residents have ongoing teaching responsibilities to patients, pharmacy students and staff, and other medical professionals through various in-services and patient education classes. PGY1 residents are required to participate in the Clinical Teaching Certificate program provided by the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, which is a longitudinal experience where residents gain experience precepting students and have the opportunity to teach and/or assist with various classes at the college. This program is optional for PGY2 residents who may or may not have already completed a teaching certificate program during their PGY1 residency.

Residents are required to prepare a major project, from which they will write an article suitable for publication. This project will also be formally presented at a regional residency conference as well as at a local and/or national conference as a poster.

The start date is approximately July 1st but the exact date is determined each year. Applicants must meet requirements for federal employment, such as US citizenship. Appointment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment screening such as a physical exam and drug test. PGY1 residents are required to obtain a pharmacist license within 90 days of the residency start date but it is highly recommended that licensure be obtained prior to starting the residency; PGY2 residents should be licensed prior to the start of residency. Residents can be licensed in any state.

Benefits include medical insurance, free lab coats and scrubs, 2 weeks of sick leave, 2 weeks of annual leave (vacation), 10 holidays, free on-site parking, and funding for travel and tuition to a national and a regional conference.



PGY1 Program Director

Eric Sanderson, Pharm.D.
803-776-4000 ext. 57041
Eric.Sanderson@va.gov


PGY2 Ambulatory Care Program Director

MaryAnne Maurer, Pharm.D., BCACP
803-776-4000 ext. 54988
Maryanne.Maurer@va.gov

 
Application Deadline: December 28th

Application Requirements:

• US citizenship
• Curriculum Vitae
• Letter of Intent
• Three (3) letters of recommendation
• College transcripts
• Pharmacy degree from an ACPE accredited school
• For PGY2 Applicants: statement of expected or successful completion of PGY1 residency by current program director

Interview Requirements:

• Must attend an interview, which will be conducted virtually