We are full spectrum Family Medicine.
Our graduates are empowered to serve with continuity of care in all settings, valuing all peoples.
(805) 652-6228
ADDICTION MEDICINE
ACGME-Accredited Primary Care ADM Fellowship
The fellow functions as a consultant in Addiction Medicine in numerous settings: inpatient consult service, outpatient specialty clinic, Labor and Delivery, NICU, and Emergency Department. The graduate will be able to lead the transformation and integration of addiction medicine in the primary care setting –serving as a consultant for more nuanced care of substance use disorders. We expect graduates to sit for the specialty certification exam in Addiction Medicine through the ABPM.
We are proud to be one of the first ACGME accredited programs and are approved for 4 positions.
Mission Statement
Our mission is to train full spectrum Addiction Specialists who provide addiction services across all age groups and in all settings focusing on the underserved.
ADDICTION MEDICINE COMMON DECISION DATE
We participate in the Common Decision Date with 67 other programs
ACCEPTANCE OFFERS
As a program participating in the Addiction Medicine Common Decision Date, we will not begin making acceptance offers until October 18, 2021.
INTERVIEWS
Interviews will be held from Augist 9th through October 18th for candidates under consideration for a decision on or soon after October 18.
UNFILLED POSITIONS
If any positions remain unfilled, the Fellowship will continue accepting applications on a rolling basis.
HOW TO APPLY
We are using ERAS as our common application system.
ERAS opens on July 7th, 2021 and we will begin reviewing applications and offering interviews July 22nd, 2021.
Submit the following through ERAS:
CV
1-2 page personal statement stating your goals as well as career plans
At least 2 Letters of Recommendation that address your suitability for a career as an Addiction Medicine specialist
We look forward to your application!
FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM DETAILS
BACKGROUND
There are over 20 Million people struggling with addiction in the United States – yet there are only 4,400 addiction specialists available to care for these patients. Abuse of illicit drugs, alcohol, and tobacco cost our country more than $740 billion annually. The County of Ventura experiences 14 deaths per 100,000 people due to addiction disorders and overdoses. 5.7 per 100 people in our county struggle with Opiate Use Disorder (OUD) – that’s 5.7% of our population! To combat this public health epidemic, we need more addiction trained primary care physicians in Ventura County. CHCF estimates that adding at least 108 buprenorphine providers will double our current number and fill the treatment gap.
We will provide trainees the opportunity to become academic and clinical leaders in the subspecialty of Addiction Medicine. Candidates are ideally primary care physicians looking to continue primary care practice and integrate addiction medicine in their daily healthcare practice in Ventura County. An essential component of the fellow’s role will be to help train primary care providers (residents and practicing providers) in the use of Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) such as buprenorphine. They will work with community clinics, jails, EDs, hospitals, maternity practices, and existing addiction treatment programs. This will help close the gap of 108 needed providers mentioned above.
EXPERIENCE
Trainees will gain expertise in:
Assessment and management of patients with various substance use disorders.
Assessment and management of co-occurring psychiatric co-morbidities.
Understanding the different levels of care, as defined by ASAM: including Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP), Hospital Care, Residential Treatment Centers (RTC), Social Model Detoxification Centers, Sober Livings, etc.
Gain comfort in managing acute withdrawal and intoxication states.
Management of chronic pain, especially in the setting of addiction.
Management, including the treatment of, HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C.
The various counselling strategies from cognitive behavioral therapy to peer and groups to 12 steps.
Management of addiction during pregnancy including medication assisted treatment.
Management of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome in the NICU and outpatient methadone tapers.
Harm reduction strategies such as naloxone distribution, clean needle exchange, etc.
Teaching the fundamentals of addiction to primary care residents at the Ventura County Family Medicine Residency Program and other clinics and health care facilities in our county.
Managing sobriety through medication assisted treatment.
Research: There will be allocated time for a research project during the fellowship. Fellow will present their research project to the VCMC community via Grand Rounds prior to completion of fellowship.
Leadership: Participate in hospital, clinical, insurance, and other local committees such as the MERIT (Medication Error Reduction Team), CORE Committee (Chronic Opiate Review and Evaluation), Gold Coast HCP Opioid Committee.
Experience locations include:
Emergency Department and Inpatient Training including the inpatient consultation service: Ventura County Medical Center
Outpatient training: Addiction Clinic for the Homeless, Academic Family Medicine Center Primary Care Clinic, and our satellite primary care clinics.
Behavioral Health Training: Rotating with Ventura County Behavior Health Alcohol and Drug Program, Psychiatry, Psychology, and AA/NA.
Residential Treatment Centers/Detox Centers: Multiple community stakeholders and organizations including Prototypes Women’s Center, Changing Tides, and others.
Methadone: Rotations with Aegis Treatment Centers.
Pain Management: Rotations with Pain Specialist at VCMC – inpatient consultations and outpatient.
Obstetrics: VCMC and Prototypes.
Neonatal: VCMC NICU and outpatient clinics.
Tele-addiction training.
Academics: Precepting and Teaching at the Academic Family Medicine Center Family Medicine Residency Clinic.
BENEFITS
$75,000 per year, to be paid monthly as employee of Ventura Faculty Associates
Malpractice insurance (covered under VCHCA)
20 business days (4 weeks) of paid vacation
5 business days (1 week) of paid CME
CME budget: $1000
Health insurance
Worker’s compensation insurance
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Successful completion of an ACGME accredited residency training program with board certification or anticipated board certification prior to the start of fellowship.
Family or Internal Medicine preferred. Other specialties will be considered.
Have an unrestricted California Medical License and DEA including X-waiver.
Must be eligible to be a Medi-Cal (Medicaid) and Medicare provider.
Ready to apply to the program?
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For questions about the fellowship, use this form to contact Paula Areias, our fellowship coordinator.
SAMPLE SCHEDULES
INPATIENT BLOCK
Monday
AM Inpatient/ED Consults
PM Detox/RTC
Tuesday
AM Inpatient/ED Consults
PM Acute Psych/Dual Dx
Wednesday
AM Inpatient/ED Consults
PM ADM Clinic
Thursday
AM Inpatient/ED Consults
PM Detox/RTC
Friday
AM Inpatient/ED Consults
PM Acute Psych/Dual Dx
OUTPATIENT BLOCK
Monday
AM Acute Psych/Dual Dx
PM Pain Clinic
Tuesday
AM HCH ADM Clinic
PM HCH ADM Clinic
Wednesday
AM Precept AFMC
PM Acute Psych/Dual Dx
Thursday
AM ADM Clinic
PM Acute Psych/Dual Dx
Friday
AM Methadone Treatment Center
PM Precept AFMC
VENTURA COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH BLOCK
Monday
AM VCBH
PM ADM Clinic
Tuesday
AM VCBH
PM Longitudinal Learning/Backup
Wednesday
AM VCBH
PM Longitudinal Learning/Backup
Thursday
AM VCBH
PM Longitudinal Learning/Backup
Friday
AM VCBH
PM Longitudinal Learning/Backup