Pro/con of VA hospitals in the south/southeast region?

[FarmTheMine]

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Hey everyone. I’m an inpatient pharmacist with approx 5yrs experience, trying to identify my next steps in life…

I was curious if anyone can provide any personal experiences with working in the VA hospitals, primarily in the south, or southeast of the US. I don’t know which ones might be ones to avoid, if the opportunity ever came available.

I do have a PGY2 + experience, so it seems that I could potentially apply for some clin spec GS13 roles (if they align with my experience, of course) as well as GS12 positions. I don’t care if I remain in a clin spec role to be honest, I just want a paycheck with the ability to pick up extra shifts in a relatively non-toxic environment.

 

[bacillus1]

Haven't heard anything regarding bad VAs in the South (I know someone at Richmond and she seems to like it). Just keep in mind that sometimes they'll promote a staff GS12 pharmacist to a clinical position over picking an external PGY2 + experience, so it depends who you're competing with and how geographically desirable the area is. What is your PGY2 in? If oncology, you're set, as the VA has a really hard time recruiting oncology pharmacists. If something like am care or psych, good luck.

 

[ValeRx]

@lord999 can tell you which VA locations suck.

 

[lord999]

I'll give specific recommendations if asked about the individual hospital. You can do some homework and look up the IG. The glaring idiot in the Southeast is Augusta. Whether its the bug infested domiciliaries, frank abuse of the mentally ill, or having patients die of dehydration in the nursing home, Augusta should be closed.

 

[samven582]

Hey everyone. I’m an inpatient pharmacist with approx 5yrs experience, trying to identify my next steps in life…

I was curious if anyone can provide any personal experiences with working in the VA hospitals, primarily in the south, or southeast of the US. I don’t know which ones might be ones to avoid, if the opportunity ever came available.

I do have a PGY2 + experience, so it seems that I could potentially apply for some clin spec GS13 roles (if they align with my experience, of course) as well as GS12 positions. I don’t care if I remain in a clin spec role to be honest, I just want a paycheck with the ability to pick up extra shifts in a relatively non-toxic environment.

Do you know anyone in the VA? Getting your foot in will be your biggest hurdle. Likewise, the hiring process is very lengthy. Also, there are talks about closing down some facilities in a few years. @lord999, any update on this?

 

[lord999]

Do you know anyone in the VA? Getting your foot in will be your biggest hurdle. Likewise, the hiring process is very lengthy. Also, there are talks about closing down some facilities in a few years. @lord999, any update on this?

The realignment process will only shuffle leadership, not close down stations due to senatorial resistance.