VA assistance while attending school

[pharm B]

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Is there a program with the VA where they'll provide a stipend or some other form of tuition assistance in return for your working for them after school?

I've heard of programs like this with the military, but I'm referring strictly to the civilian side of the house.

I poked around http://www.pbm.va.gov/ after being inundated with "tips" at our local VA clinic when they found out I was pre-pharmacy. All I can find on the site are residency programs, though.

 

[bacillus1]

I wish...I have an interest in the VA as well.

I think it's so competitive to get in there that they have no interest of providing tuition assistance. But who knows, other answers may differ since I'm no expert on the VA.

They do have the VALOR program (basically a nice internship that I believe you can either do over the summer or over the course of a school year). Not every VA participates in that though.

 

[ValeRx]

Good luck - I've got preference as a veteran! HA!

 

[pharm B]

Good luck - I've got preference as a veteran! HA!

Same here. 😉 Any time I see someone at the clinic, they keep swearing up and down such a program exists. I'm hoping to sit down and talk with their Psychiatric Pharmacist soon to learn a little more about that branch of pharmacy/medicine.

Side question: I was reading last night about how some VA pharmacists are allowed to prescribe. Are those prescriptions valid outside of the VA system? If so, do they get a DEA number just like a physician?

 

[pharmwannebe2]

Same here. 😉 Any time I see someone at the clinic, they keep swearing up and down such a program exists. I'm hoping to sit down and talk with their Psychiatric Pharmacist soon to learn a little more about that branch of pharmacy/medicine.

Side question: I was reading last night about how some VA pharmacists are allowed to prescribe. Are those prescriptions valid outside of the VA system? If so, do they get a DEA number just like a physician?

No i don't think it is valid outside the VA system. VA operates on their own rules.

 

[willrocks]

What is it about the VA that makes it such a desirable place to work?

 

[pharm B]

As I understand it, the pharmacists are given an incredible amount of independence (including the ability to prescribe discussed above). It's also a huge system with clinics and hospitals all over the country and its associated territories. The VA allows you to practice in any state as long as you're licensed in at least one. So you have quite a bit of freedom to move around.

Plus I personally wouldn't mind working in a venue that allows me to give back to those veterans who did things I didn't, like see combat.

They are vague about starting pay, though. Does anyone know if you're paid on a GS scale? And if so, about where on that scale do you start off?

 

[Passion4Sci]

Chapter 33 can be used for pharmacy school ... that help at all? 🙂
I was ecstatic when I heard.

 

[bacillus1]

Chapter 33 can be used for pharmacy school ... that help at all? 🙂
I was ecstatic when I heard.

Care to enlighten us what chapter 33 is?

And I've seen GS12-GS13 as the starting pay.

 

[pharm B]

I googled Ch. 33 and it's the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act. (the "new GI Bill")

 

[Pharmachic]

Here's a listing of current vacancies: http://www.jobsearch.vacareers.va.g...512,15516,45575,15669&SUBMIT1.x=0&SUBMIT1.y=0. Most jobs have a salary range, and from what I understand, a committee decides where in that range you'll fall based on education and experience. The VA is my #1 choice as well after graduation. Why? In some areas you're eligible for the education debt reduction program which pays a maximum of $60k, may not be much to some but hey that's $60k less that I have to pay. Also, it's a service job; therefore, you're eligible for loan forgiveness after 10 yrs of service. Not a bad idea at all. Sure the pay can be lower, but there are lots of benefits.