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Community-Based Psychiatry Fellowship

Program Description

The UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is pleased to offer a Community-based Psychiatry Fellowship. This fellowship provides an opportunity for a highly motivated pharmacist, who is passionate about the advancement of community-based pharmacy and mental health, to train in a unique and progressive academic environment. This program is 12 months in duration and is available to start July 1 each year.

Purpose Statement

The Community-based Psychiatry Fellowship builds upon a pharmacist’s competence in the delivery of patient-centered care and in pharmacy operational services to prepare a trainee to assume high level managerial, supervisory, and leadership responsibilities. Areas of competence emphasized during the program include safe and effective patient care services, quality improvement, and advanced leadership. The fellow will be responsible for expansion of pharmacist-provided services within a clinic model. This fellowship program lays the foundation for continued growth in management and leadership skills with the expectation that, the trainee will assume leadership of patient care services in community-based or ambulatory care practice. Successful completion of the Community-based Psychiatry Fellowship will enable the fellow to obtain a clinical or operational leadership role in patient care services for a community-based or ambulatory care practice, particularly one with a focus in mental health. This program will develop a dynamic entrepreneurial skill set to lead the innovative future models of pharmacy practice.

Partner Description

UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy
The UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy is a nationally recognized leader in progressive pharmacy practice, education, and research. Founded in 1897, it is the only public school of pharmacy in the state of North Carolina and one of the oldest in the nation. The School is accredited by the American Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) and is ranked #1 among the nation’s doctor of pharmacy programs by U.S. News & World Report. The PGY1 Community-based Pharmacy Residency Program (pharmacy.unc.edu/cprp) is one of the oldest and the largest accredited residency programs of its kind in the nation. With over 100 graduates, our residency program has prepared pharmacists to be innovative clinical practitioners who can be leaders in the profession.

Campus Health
Campus Health provides advanced pharmacy services for the students, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Campus Health partners with the University community to provide expert, student-centered, inclusive, and comprehensive health care and wellness promotion to support academic and personal success. They help students thrive by fostering resiliency and mastery of self-care for a lifetime of health. Amy Sauls, PharmD, BCACP, CPP, is the Director of Pharmacy and Professional Services for Campus Health. Campus Health Pharmacy is located in UNC Campus Health (James A. Taylor building) and Student Stores Pharmacy is located on the third floor of UNC Student Stores (Daniels building). Pharmacists at Campus Health provide innovative, high-level clinical services every day. Many of the pharmacists are Clinical Pharmacist Practitioners (CPPs) with collaborative practice agreements allowing prescribing for diabetes, asthma, contraception, emergency contraception, international travel health, and mental health. Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) staff provide quality and caring mental health services. Allen O’Barr, MD, is a psychiatrist and the Director of CAPS. Raisa El-Kurdi, PharmD, CPP is a CAPS clinical pharmacist who provides medication evaluation and management services.

Program Structure

Patient Care (70%) The fellow will provide direct patient care within an innovative practice that is revolutionizing care provided in the college health setting. The fellow will serve as a clinical pharmacist in community-based and ambulatory (outpatient) settings. The fellow will practice in a collaborative relationship with the psychiatrists, nurse practitioners, psychologists, and social workers employed by CAPS. The fellows will function as an independent provider, conducting medication evaluations and medication checks for patients within CAPS three days per week. The fellow will provide care within Campus Health Pharmacy, including patient-centered dispensing and immunization administration, one day per week. The fellow will conduct practice-based research on the quality of patient care provided at the site.

Leadership and Management (15%) The fellow will gain essential skills related to clinical service strategic planning and implementation. The fellow will demonstrate effective self- and time-management in daily activities. The fellow will apply personal leadership strengths through mentorship of student pharmacists and PGY1 community-based pharmacy residents and collaborations with other health care providers. The fellow will represent CAPS on the Performance Improvement Committee and the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee. The fellow will explore leadership opportunities within state and national professional associations.

Advancement of Community-based Practice and Improving Patient Care (7.5%) The fellow will drive organizational achievement of quality measures. The fellow will actively participate in medication safety systems, regulatory compliance initiatives, patient quality services, and disease outcomes programs. The fellow will develop and execute relevant policies and procedures for the practice site. The fellow will conduct practice-based research, including design, implementation, data collection, data analysis and dissemination.

Teaching, Education, and Dissemination of Knowledge (7.5%) The fellow will provide oral presentations and written materials to pharmacists and other health care professionals. The fellow will network with and provide presentations within state and national professional associations such as the American College Health Association (ACHA), the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) and the College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists (CPNP). The fellow will employ effective precepting and feedback to students, technicians, pharmacists, and other health care professionals. In collaboration with academic and practice partners, the fellow will disseminate best practices and results of practice-based research through presentation and publication.

Program Application Materials

The candidate must have a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, completed a PGY1 Community-based Pharmacy Residency Program or equivalent experience, is eligible for licensure in North Carolina and is eligible to become a Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner (CPP). Applications will be reviewed until positions are filled. Application materials should be emailed to the contact below and include:

  • Letter of Intent: Describe your reasons for pursuing this fellowship and how completion of this program will help achieve your career goals.
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • References: Names and contact information for three references (references will be contacted later to provide letters of recommendation)
  • Transcript (can be sent directly to the contact below and separately from the materials above)

For questions regarding the program or application materials, please contact:

Macary Weck Marciniak, PharmD, BCACP, BCPS, FAPhA
Associate Professor
macary_marciniak@unc.edu
919-843-9929