The VA Black Hills Health Care System (VABHHCS) is located in the beautiful Black Hills of western South Dakota, where we are known for our blue skies, pine forests, rich history, moderate climate and friendly western hospitality. At VABHHCS it is our privilege to provide primary and surgical care, Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program services, extended care and rehabilitation, outpatient mental health, and inpatient psychiatric services.  We provide compassionate, quality care to approximately 16,000 Veterans residing in South Dakota and portions of Nebraska, Wyoming, North Dakota, and Montana.  Care is delivered through the Fort Meade (near Sturgis) and Hot Springs VA Medical Centers, as well as through a number of community-based outpatient and rural outreach clinics. 

The VABHHCS pharmacy staff consists of 30 pharmacists and 16 technicians located at the two main campuses (Fort Meade and Hot Springs) and two Community-Based Outpatient Clinics in Rapid City, SD and Scottsbluff, NE.  Pharmacy is involved in all aspects of medication management.  With the implementation of physician order entry, barcode technology, cartless distribution, robotics, and technical support for distributive functions, we are able to focus on clinical activities.  Pharmacists use their prescribing privileges in collaboration with the medical team to help optimize Veteran care and reach treatment goals. 

The goal of the residency program is to build upon Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) education to develop clinical pharmacists with the knowledge and skills needed to provide pharmaceutical care for patients with a broad range of conditions. Graduates of our program are eligible for board certification and postgraduate year two (PGY2) residency training.  While both inpatient and outpatient learning experiences are required, pharmacist involvement in ambulatory care is broad.  Residents will hone their problem solving and clinical decision-making skills by providing evidence-based, patient-centered pharmaceutical care under the supervision of our pharmacy preceptors.  We believe that our preceptors are the shining stars of our program and have no doubt that they will provide the guidance needed to help residents reach their full potential. Direct patient care experiences include Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT), Anticoagulation, Community Living Center, Home Based Primary Care, Inpatient Clinical Pharmacy, and Internal Medicine.  Residents will be given ample opportunities to expand their leadership and project management skills through learning experiences in Practice Management, Professional Development, Practice Coverage, Medication Use Process and the completion of a Residency Project.  An elective teaching certificate is offered through the South Dakota State University College of Pharmacy.  Feedback from both residents and preceptors is valued and used to proactively customize each resident's experience.

Visit our website at: https://www.blackhills.va.gov/Pharmacy_Practice_Residency.asp