The desire to serve still runs strong in many military personnel, even when the time comes to separate from the military and transition into civilian life. For former Army Officer and current Wake Forest University School of Medicine student Alex Dayton, he knew that with the right training and support his interest in medicine could one day lead to a full-blown career as a physician assistant (PA). Fortunately, he discovered the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Intermediate Care Technician (ICT) Program, which provides an opportunity for former corpsmen and medics to take on health care support roles without any additional licensure.
VA is now hiring ICTs in almost every clinical setting, from emergency departments and primary care to specialty clinics and surgical services. Keep reading to learn more about Alex Dayton’s journey from VA to PA, and see if an ICT career path is right for you.
How did you find out about the ICT program?
“I found out about it through a career skills program (SkillBridge), which is something that the Army offers any soldier [who] is transitioning out—it’s basically an internship in the last six months of service. My last duty station was in Fayetteville, NC at Fort Bragg, and the Fayetteville VA Medical Center (VAMC) actually offered a career skills program designed specifically for ICTs. I applied, interviewed, got all the paperwork completed, and then started the program. I was very, very fortunate to be part of the inaugural class. The program was absolutely amazing, and I credit much of my current success to my experience in VA.”
What initially drew you to the ICT program?
“One of the requirements for PA school is you have to have documented patient-facing clinical experience. I had had a lot of medical training in the military but never worked in a hospital, so getting that experience was important. The main thing that attracted me to ICT was how well utilized the role is in the VA; I was going to get much more experience given the time that I was planning to be in ICT versus a different career field.”
What was your favorite part of ICT?
“By far, my favorite part was the patients. I know this is probably echoed by every provider in VA, but the best part about VA is the Veterans. I would love to go and work for VA after I graduate. Another thing I really appreciated about ICT was how it prepared me for Wake Forest. They really seem to value my experience both in the active military and taking care of Veterans.”
Speaking of the Veterans, what was your experience like working with fellow Veterans?
“It was both humbling and rewarding working with Veterans. I was surprised by how much being a member of the military myself mattered to them in the context of healthcare. It’s just one of those unspoken connections that allows you to cut through a lot of the pleasantries and go straight to good patient care.”
Any final highlights you’d like to share?
“Yes! The Fayetteville VAMC ICT program put together a foundational ICT course that taught the skills necessary to perform the full scope of practice for an emergency department ICT. The skills that I learned in those two weeks are still helping me to this day on my journey to becoming a PA. I wanted to call out the fact that the team there provides an excellent training program that sets attendees up for success.”
Work at VA
A rewarding ICT position is just a click away! For more information on how you can put your health care skills to work through the ICT program and other careers that are All About Veterans:
- LEARN more about ICTs.
- EXPLORE other opportunities for Veterans and transitioning military personnel.
- SEARCH for a VA job near you.
