VA job openings

[unknown82]

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Does anyone that currently works at a dallas, tx VA hospital know of any staff pharmacist openings? If so, where would be the best place to apply for this job? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[RxQueen2010]

VA openings are posted at www.usajobs.gov.

 

[unknown82]

VA openings are posted at www.usajobs.gov.

I already checked usajobs.gov, but I didn't see any openings in the dallas Texas area so that Is why I was wondering if anyone that actually works in that area has any info.

 

[crazybob]

I already checked usajobs.gov, but I didn't see any openings in the dallas Texas area so that Is why I was wondering if anyone that actually works in that area has any info.

You'll have better luck if you call people who work and live in Dallas.

I wouldn't trust strangers on the internet to give me accurate information.

 

[SimbaPharmD]

Clinical PharmD at a VA here. VAs typically adhere strictly to a stepwise process when it comes to hiring. You go through HR first and that's through postings on USAjobs. HR reviews basic qualifications and move the apps to the hiring supervisor who will contact you for an interview if they like you. This process may take anywhere from 1-3 months. If there is an opening and not posted it is typically reserved for internal candidates.

 

[Rattlergirl53]

Clinical PharmD at a VA here. VAs typically adhere strictly to a stepwise process when it comes to hiring. You go through HR first and that's through postings on USAjobs. HR reviews basic qualifications and move the apps to the hiring supervisor who will contact you for an interview if they like you. This process may take anywhere from 1-3 months. If there is an opening and not posted it is typically reserved for internal candidates.

Did you do a VA Residency or graduate some time ago? I wanted a VA Job and even tried for a VA residency. I ended up matching at a non VA place but I heard even recent VA residents are having trouble landing clinical jobs as the current clinical pharmacists at the VA aren't leaving anytime soon.

 

[SimbaPharmD]

I completed a residency at the VA I am at now and stayed on since there was an opening. If you still want a position, continue to try you never know!

 

[pharm B]

In your experience, can new grads move into pseudo-clinical positions with the VA, SimbaPharmD? How would you describe the quality of the jobs that aren't specifically clinical?

 

[SimbaPharmD]

It really depends on how each VA structures its pharmacy department. For example, within our pharmacy department we have clinical, outpatient staffing, and inpatient staffing. Over 95% of our current clinical PharmDs have completed at least a PGY1 before they were hired and a majority of them were VA residencies and to be hired now one must have at least a PGY1. They do not dispense at all at our VA but work independently either in primary care/specialty care clinics with prescriptive authority or inpatient (eg, internal med, critical care, emergency med, etc). Residencies are not required of outpatient and inpatient staff PharmDs at our VA and their primary function is verifying/dispensing orders. There are VAs where pharmacists fill hybrid positions of staffing and clinical. So it really depends on the VA and what type of requirements each has for their pharmacists that fit the needs of their medical center. Residency is mainly preferred now at most VAs for clinical positions. New grads without residency probably will have a better chance at staffing positions but even that will also be competitive as the VA is very selective and the turnover rate is so low.

 

[deleted205891]

I'm a VA resident. I have applied to many clinical VA positions around the country, and have not gotten a single interview. I can't imagine I was turned down for new grads...

Even staff positions are highly competitive. Also, most positions would want you to be licensed before you apply (although I've seen some that will keep you on GS-11 status until you get licensed, and then convert you to GS-12). For GS-13 positions, it's impossible to get them without at least one year post-graduate work experience or residency.

As far as applications, all of them except maybe some internal positions are posted on USAjobs.

 

[SimbaPharmD]

Bacillus1 don't worry too much. HR at VAs take their sweet time to forward apps to hiring supervisors so just be patient. One of our residents applied months ago a just had her first interview at a VA in the Midwest.

 

[deleted205891]

Bacillus1 don't worry too much. HR at VAs take their sweet time to forward apps to hiring supervisors so just be patient. One of our residents applied months ago a just had her first interview at a VA in the Midwest.

I actually already got a bunch of "not referred" notices, though some VAs still haven't replied to me.