Description:  This 5-day experiential program provides intensive didactic and clinical training for 10 trainees. The experiential training is designed for pharmacists practicing in acute or ambulatory care settings and who are developing or expanding pain management and palliative care services at their institutions. The traineeship prepares participants to design patient-specific pharmacotherapy; solve drug therapy problems; and develop protocols, policies and procedures for the treatment of such patients.

Audience/Eligibility: Limited to 10 pharmacists. To qualify for the traineeship, the applicant must be a licensed pharmacist in any state in the United States, a graduate of an ACPE-accredited college or school of pharmacy, and have completed an ASHP-accredited residency or have 2 years of experience in clinical practice. The application requires a letter of support from the chief executive officer of the pharmacist’s hospital or health-system that confirms a commitment to establishing an organized pharmaceutical pain management and palliative care service. The letter of support should include the expected date of implementation. In addition, a second letter of support is required from the physician who is responsible for pain management and palliative care services, indicating support for the development of a pharmaceutical service and/or involvement of the pharmacist on the patient care team. Successful completion of Level 2 or a passing score on the Level 2 post-course assessment will be a prerequisite for Level 3.

Applicants must have a command of basic knowledge areas as they relate to pain management.