On Jan. 12, National Pharmacist Day offers us an opportunity to recognize the importance of pharmacists, and how much of an impact you can make on the health and well-being of the Veterans we serve with the unique benefits available to pharmacists at VA.
“We’re experts on the thousands of medications, and we work to educate patients on how each medication works in the body and the way to use each one safely and effectively,” explained Dr. Idi Idiong, chief of pharmacy at Bay Pines VA Healthcare System in Bay Pines, Florida.
“We take this responsibility seriously because Veterans look to us for answers,” she added, “and there’s nothing more rewarding than when we’re able to provide them with this important information to assist with their health care journey.”
Opportunities for pharmacists at VA
What you can accomplish as a VA pharmacist extends far beyond the medications you provide. No matter your level of experience, there are ways you can make a difference for our Veterans.
“This is the greatest place to work for, where you can expand your roles, where you can learn, where you can grow, where you can meet great people and have the job satisfaction that you’re doing something great for the Veteran population,” said Melinda Matos-Toro, a clinical pharmacy practitioner at the Mayagüez VA Outpatient Clinic in Puerto Rico.
Pharmacists in VA can start their careers working in any number of health care environments. There are plenty of inpatient and outpatient options available, whether it’s supporting Veterans in substance abuse treatment programs, working with patients in clinics, or offering care as part of a community living center.
As you progress in your career, there are many opportunities to diversify your skillset within VA. Some of our pharmacists choose to pursue specializations, much like physicians do, and explore areas like cancer treatments, psychiatry, or even infectious diseases.
Others branch out and implement their pharmacy training in unique ways. For example, as information technology continues to evolve, some pharmacists choose to work with informatics and help merge their knowledge of medications with the developing technologies.
There are also opportunities for management. That can start at the local level as a pharmacy supervisor or even a chief of pharmacy, or expand into regional and national leadership roles, helping to shape policy.
Earning benefits as a pharmacist at VA
Unlike other health care systems, VA offers pharmacists the unique responsibility to write and fill prescriptions based on a patient’s medication history and their own knowledge. While patients still receive a diagnosis from the doctor, you’re the one who will make the final call on medications.
“It really is the epitome of working at the top of your license,” said Dr. Christina White, chief of pharmacy at Robley Rex VA Medical Center in Louisville, Kentucky. “That’s by far the best and most unique thing about working as a pharmacist at VA.”
“You will not find this in any other setting,” agreed Matos-Toro. “You might find a clinical pharmacist that sees patients and may interact with patients but does not have the responsibilities that we have at the VA and the power that we have at the VA.”
Along with that authority, if there’s an opportunity you want to pursue anywhere in our more than 1,300 facilities across the nation, you can do so without worrying about your license to practice.
“The nice thing about being part of a federal organization, you only need one state license, and you can practice in any VA facility,” explained White.
All this is in addition to the extensive employment benefits available to pharmacists who choose to work at VA. As a member of our team, you’ll have access to:
- Up to 26 days of paid leave, 13 sick days annually, and 11 paid federal holidays each year, as well as 12 weeks of parental leave
- Federal insurance programs and a variety of plans that all cover preexisting conditions, with 75% of health premiums paid by us
- The Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which allows you to tax-defer a portion of your income each year, similar to a 401(k), with an automatic 1% government contribution
Work at VA
“I truly do feel as if it was my calling to work at VA,” said White, “I didn’t serve, but this is a way I can give back to those who did.”
- READ more about VA pharmacy jobs.
- EXPLORE the benefits of a VA career.
- SEARCH for open positions.
