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NContinual learning through frequent educational sessions keeps VA pharmacists at the cutting edge of their profession.
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN BOOKSTACKS
"To Care for Him Who Shall Have Borne the Battle and for His Widow, and His Orphan."
—Abraham Lincoln, March 1865
"The Best Care - VA - Keeping the Promise to Those Who Served"
More than a century ago, President Lincoln made a promise to America’s servicemen and women, pledging the care and concern of a grateful Nation for the sacrifices they made to preserve freedom. Since 1950, the mission of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been to keep that promise. Today, VA offers veterans the largest, most comprehensive health care system in the United States with more than 170 medical centers located nationwide.
Pharmacists and The Department of Veterans Affairs
Working in an environment committed to providing quality health care, VA pharmacists play a vital role in the delivery of patient care. They work closely with physicians, nurses and other health care practitioners to ensure that America’s veterans receive the best care. VA pharmacists routinely interact one-on-one with veteran patients, addressing questions and concerns, and providing consultation and guidance on the use of prescribed medications. At VA, pharmacists utilize the full scope of their skills and knowledge in their daily practice.
Did You Know That VA:
•	Treats nearly 10 million veterans each year at medical centers and supporting facilities.
•	Employs more than 3,600 licensed pharmacists.
•	Provides clinical education for 100,000 health professionals through affiliations with schools.
•	Provides medical care backup to military hospitals during national emergencies.VA Offers a Wide Range of Opportunities for Pharmacists
VA pharmacists are highly valued members of the health care team. They participate in the delivery of comprehensive health care services for veteran patients across the United States. As a VA pharmacist, you will have the opportunity to:
•	Respond to the challenge of providing quality pharmacy services.
•	Exercise your professional judgment.
•	Develop and utilize your clinical skills to their fullest potential.
•	Participate actively as a member of the patient care team.
•	Provide patient education.
•	Conduct therapeutic and pharmacokinetic consulting services.
•	Provide medication to outpatients from VA’s exceptional computerized pharmacy files and provide patient medication counseling.
•	Provide unit dose drug distribution, IV admixture and drug information services.
•	Develop and facilitate pharmacy-based research projects.
•	Participate in the strategic management process, allocation of scarce resources and evaluations that affect the delivery of health care services.
VA offers a variety of specialized programs for pharmacy practice that include areas such as bone marrow transplantation, oncology, geriatrics and nutrition support. When combined with progressive clinical services and the availability of a wide variety of geographic locations, the opportunities within VA are limitless.
Benefits of a Career as a Pharmacist with VA
VA’s mission is to provide the best possible care for the Nation’s veterans. In recognition of the contribution made by pharmacists in helping achieve this goal, VA offers both tangible and intangible benefits.
VA provides a supportive environment that encourages professional growth and development and offers individual recognition for personal achievement.
In addition to these professional opportunities,
VA offers extensive employment benefits and
Frequent interne* tiens with vnrious henlth enre proffes-sionnls nllow VA phnrmncists to more fully understand each patient's pharmaceutical needs.Daily consultations among peers provide VA pharmacists with a continual source off professional knowledge and expertise.
educational opportunities that include generous leave accrual policies, mobility and educational assistance programs.
EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS Leave and Holidays
•	Pharmacists earn 13 to 26 days of paid annual (vacation/personal) leave per year. Annual leave begins to accrue immediately.
•	Pharmacists earn 13 days of sick leave each year with no limit on accumulation.
•	Military leave is authorized up to 15 days a year for active reservists and National Guard members.
•	There are 10 paid Federal holidays.
Health and Life Insurance
•	VA offers a variety of group health insurance plans with premiums partially paid by the Federal Government. You can change plans yearly.
•	Term life insurance with coverage based on salary is available with the cost shared by the Federal Government. Family and additional coverage options are available.
Liability Protection
The United States Government accepts responsibility and liability for the actions of its employees during the exercise of their official duties. VA pharmacists, therefore, are protected by the Federal Government in instances of alleged malpractice or negligence resulting from the performance of their duties in or for the Veterans Health Administration.
Retirement
New employees are covered by the Federal Employees’ Retirement System (FERS). FERS is a three-tier retirement plan composed of Social Security benefits, FERS basic benefits and the Thrift Savings Pian that is a tax-deferred savings plan with an automatic basic contribution and partial matching by the Federal Government. Mobility and Licensure VA medical facilities are located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. An employee may transfer to any location where there is a vacancy without loss of benefits and usually no loss in pay.
VA pharmacists may practice in any VA medical facility, regardless of location, with current, unrestricted licensure in any State, Territory or Commonwealth (e.g., Puerto Rico) or the District of Columbia.
Awards and Honors
Opportunities to receive both monetary and honorary recognition for overall superior performance and special or unique achievements are available. In addition, substantial monetary awards can be earned through participation in VA’s Employee Suggestion Program when employees offer creative solutions to problems, and ideas for improving procedures and services.Additional Benefits
•	smoke-free and drug-free workpface
•	free parking at most facilities
•	credit unions
•	child care at some facilities
•	employee wellness programs
•	medical libraries
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
VA conducts an extensive orientation program for all newly employed pharmacists. Topics covered include VA’s mission, philosophy and policies. New pharmacists are also introduced to our health care programs, patients and environment, as well as, other allied health personnel.
VA offers a number of educational opportunities for new and current pharmacists that include:
•	Tuition Support Program - Employees in health care disciplines identified as VA shortage categories are eligible for funding to enroll in job-related courses. Courses for which funding may be approved include conferences, continuing education courses and degree-related courses in accredited clinical programs.
•	Pharmacy Management Training Program - VA pharmacists may apply for a two-year program leading to a graduate degree in Health Care Administration. This exciting program is designed to prepare managers and leaders for upper-level management positions.
•	Pharmacy Residencies - Many VA pharmacies are affiliated with one or more Colleges of Pharmacy. Accredited residencies in oncology, ambulatory care, geriatrics and nutrition support are some of the areas of specialization covered by the residency program.
•	Regional Medical Education Centers provide continuing education opportunities for VA pharmacists.
Personnel Policies
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum qualifications for appointment as a VA
pharmacist are:
•	U.S. citizenship (noncitizens may be appointed when qualified citizens are not available).
•	Holder of a bachelor’s degree or other first professional degree from an American Council
Providing one-on-one guidance and consultation to veteran patients on the use of prescribed medications is one of many aspects of a career as a VA pharmacist.VA pharmacists enjoy a deep appreciation from veteran patients for the quality health care they deliver.
on Pharmaceutical Education (ACPE) accredited school.
•	Current license to practice pharmacy in any State, Territory or Commonwealth (e.g., Puerto Rico) of the Unites States or the District of Columbia.
•	Personal interview.
•	Satisfactory physical examination.
•	English language proficiency.
Graduate pharmacists expecting licensure within the next 12 months are also encouraged to apply.
SALARY INFORMATION
•	Starting salaries and grades are recommended by a Pharmacist Professional Standards Board based on professional education, training and experience.
•	Special beginning rates or special salary rate ranges are in effect at many locations.
•	The nationwide pharmacist salary scale increases along with the general pay increases for other professional and administrative Federal employees.
•	Pharmacists are awarded regular increases within each grade based on demonstrated performance and may receive accelerated increases for outstanding performance and achievement. Achievement increases may be given in areas such as research, publications,
academic appointments, advanced degrees and election to an office of a professional organization.
•	Pharmacists receive consideration for promotion to higher grades with correspondingly higher salaries.
•	VA offers premium pay to pharmacists for overtime, on-call, night, weekend and holiday duty. Amounts or percentages may vary, depending on location.
How To Apply
Apply directly to the Personnel Service at the VA health care facility where you desire employment consideration, as hiring decisions are made locally. However, information about VA pharmacy programs and application procedures may be obtained at any VA facility from the Chief, Pharmacy Service. Arrangements can be made to have the required personal interview and physical examination conducted at the facility most convenient to you.
Employment information can also be obtained by contacting: Department of Veterans Affairs, Pharmacist Placement Service, P. O. Box 24269, Richmond, VA 23224-0269,1-800-368-6008 (outside Virginia), 1-800-552-3045 (within Virginia).VA Health Care Facilities
VA facilities have specialized medical care programs and a variety of opportunities are available for pharmacists. To gain a first hand view of VA health care, you are invited to visit. Please call or write to arrange for an appointment. Telephone numbers are listed in local directories under “U.S. Government” or address correspondence to the Chief, Pharmacy Service or Personnel Service, VA Medical Center, City, State and ZIP Code.
Alabama
Birmingham (35233) Montgomery (36109) Tuscaloosa (35404)
Tuskegee (36083)
Alaska
Anchorage (99508)
Arizona
Phoenix (85012)
Prescott (86313)
Tucson (85723)
Arkansas
Fayetteville (72703)
Little Rock (72205)
California
Benicia (94510)
(Northern California System of Clinics)
Fresno (93703)
Livermore (94550)
Loma Linda (92357)
Long Beach (90822)
Los Angeles (90013)*
Palo Alto (94304)
San Diego (92161)
San Francisco (94121) Sepulveda (91343)
West Los Angeles (90073)
Colorado
Denver (80220)
Fort Lyon (81038)
Grand Junction (81501)
Connecticut
Newington (061 1 1)
West Haven (06516)
Delaware
Wilmington(l 9805)
District of Columbia
Washington (20422)
Florida
Bay Pines (33504)
Gainesville (32608)
Lake City (32055)
Miami (33125)
Tampa (33612)
Georgia
Augusta (30910)
Decatur (Atlanta) (30033) Dublin (31021)
Hawaii
Honolulu (96850)
Idaho
Boise (83702)
Illinois
Chicago (Lakeside) (60611) Chicago (West Side) (60680) Danville (61832)
Hines (Maywood) (60141) Marion (62959)
North Cnicago (60064)
Indiana
Fort Wayne (46805) Indianapolis (46202)
Marion (46952)
Iowa
Des Moines (50310)
Iowa City (52246)
Knoxvlle (50138)
Kansas
Leavenworth (66048)
Topeka (66622)
Wichita (6721 8)
Kentucky
Lexington (4051 1) Louisville (40206)
Louisiana
Alexandria (71301) New Orleans (70146) Shreveport (71101)
Maine
Togus (04330)
Maryland
Baltimore (21218)
Fort Howard (21052) Perry Point (21902)
Massachusetts
Bedford (01730) Boston (02130) Northampton (01060) Brockton (02401)
West Roxbury (02132)
Michigan
Allen Park (48101) Ann Arbor (48105) Battle Creek (49016) Iron Mountain (49801) Saginaw (48602)
Minnesota
Minneapolis (55417) St. Cloud (56303)
Mississippi
Biloxi (39531)
Jackson (39216)
Missouri
Columbia (65201) Kansas City (64128) Poplar Blurf (63901)
St. Louis (63125)
Montana
Fort Harrison (59636) Miles City (59301)
Nebraska
Grand Island (68803) Lincoln (68510) Omaha (68105)
Nevada
Reno (89520)
Las Vegas (89102)*
New Hampshire
Manchester (03104)
New Jersey
East Orange (07019) Lyons (07939)
New Mexico
Albuquerque (87108)
New York
Albany (12208)
Batavia (14020)
Bath (14810)
Bronx (10468)
Brooklyn (11209)
Buffalo (14215) Canandaigua (14424) Castle Point (12511) Montrose (10548)
New York (Manhattan) (10010)
Northport (Long Island) (11768)
Syracuse (13210)
North Carolina
Asheville (28805)
Durham (27705) Fayetteville (28301) Salisbury (28144)
North Dakota
Fargo (58102)
Ohio
Chillicothe (45601) Cincinnati (45220) Cleveland (44106) Columbus (43221)*
Dayton (45428)
Oklahoma
Muskogee (74401) Oklahoma City (73104)
Oregon
Portland (97207)
Roseburg (97470)
White City (97501) (Domiciliary)
Pennsylvania
Altoona (16603)
Butler (16001)
Coatesville (19320)
Erie (16501)
Lebanon (17042) Philadelphia (19104) Pittsburgh (Highland Drive) (15206)
Pittsburgh (University Drive) (15240)
Wilkes-Barre (1871 1)
Philippines
Manila (96440) **
Puerto Rico
San Juan (00927)
Rhode Island
Providence (02908)
South Carolina
Charleston (29401)
Columbia (29209)
South Dakota
Fort Meade (57741)
Hot Springs (57747)
Sioux Falls (57117)
Tennessee
Memphis (38104)
Mountain Home (37684) Murfreesboro (37129) Nashville (37212)
Texas
Amarillo (79106)
Big Spring (79720)
Bonham (7541 8)
Dallas (75216)
El Paso (79925)*
Houston (77030)
Kerriville (78028)
Marlin (76661)
San Antonio (78284)
Temple (76504)
Waco (7671 1)
Utah
Salt Lake City (84148) Vermont
White River Junction (05001)
Virginia
Hampton (23667)
Richmond (23249)
Salem (24153)
Washington
American Lake (Tacoma) (98493)
Seattle (98108)
Spokane (99208)
Walla Walla (99362)
West Virginia
Beckley (25801)
Clarksburg (26301) Huntington (25704) Martinsburg (25410)
Wisconsin
Madison (53705)
Milwaukee (53295)
Tomah (54660)
Wyoming
Cheyenne (82001)
Sheridan (82801)
* Independent Outpatient Clinic ** Regional Office & Outpatient Clinic
An Equal Opportunity Employer.Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration	IB 10-28
Washington, DC 20420	October 1992