VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System

The pharmacy practice residency at the Colmery O'Neil Veterans Hospital in Topeka is an ASHP-accredited training program. This post-graduate year one residency program is designed to develop practitioners with the knowledge, skills, attitudes and abilities required of a successful clinical pharmacist. Graduates of the program are well-prepared to pursue positions in clinical practice, academia or post-graduate year two residency training programs.

The practice site offers a progressive training atmosphere where pharmacists may prescribe medications, order laboratory and diagnostic tests and place consults to other services within a scope of practice. The VAEKHCS pharmacy practice model also integrates traditional dispensing duties with advanced clinical roles. Residents learn to provide proactive, patient-centered pharmaceutical care in acute, ambulatory and long-term care settings to develop a well-rounded practice base. The major ambulatory care component of the residency is completed as a longitudinal experience where residents have the opportunity to care for patients consulted to the Chronic Disease Management service. Under the guidance of clinical specialists, residents have the opportunity to assist primary care providers in achieving treatment goals for their highest risk patients. Residents also develop skill in drug information, pharmacoeconomics, practice management, research and teaching. VAEKHCS provides introductory and advanced experiential practice experiences to University of Kansas pharmacy students as well as other area programs. Residents are provided opportunities to instruct and precept students while on service. VAEKHCS also participates in the Resident Teaching Certificate Program via the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Residents are required to complete a research project of publishable quality with guidance from preceptors. The resident's project findings are presented at the Midwest Pharmacy Residents Conference in May.