What fellowships (if any) would be useful for working at the VA?

[DrVan Nostrand]

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I am about to start interview season for residency, and I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up

I got a scholarship with the VA for med school and owe them 6 years after residency/fellowship. I have no clue if I will want to stay in the VA or pursue other things after. The plan is to be in California

Of course, the only specialties that have really called to me thus far are things I doubt you typically do as a VA pathologist: molecular, neuro, heme. But I could be open to other specialties

So what do VA pathologists do? What is the variety in cases like?

Which fellowships could serve me while in the VA?

Would it be dumb to pursue a fellowship in something that I wont use in the VA, just in case I decide to leave after my 6 years?

I know this is all far down the line, but I feel like figuring out which fellowships I want should play a role in my choice for residency

 

[SunBakedTrash]

Most of the job ads I see for the VA that actually specify something beyond general pathology is hemepath.

 

[DrVan Nostrand]

Most of the job ads I see for the VA that actually specify something beyond general pathology is hemepath.

Are these ads from the usajobs.gov site?

 

[KeratinPearls]

I am about to start interview season for residency, and I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up

I got a scholarship with the VA for med school and owe them 6 years after residency/fellowship. I have no clue if I will want to stay in the VA or pursue other things after. The plan is to be in California

Of course, the only specialties that have really called to me thus far are things I doubt you typically do as a VA pathologist: molecular, neuro, heme. But I could be open to other specialties

So what do VA pathologists do? What is the variety in cases like?

Which fellowships could serve me while in the VA?

Would it be dumb to pursue a fellowship in something that I wont use in the VA, just in case I decide to leave after my 6 years?

I know this is all far down the line, but I feel like figuring out which fellowships I want should play a role in my choice for residency

Mostly male patients. GU fellowship would be helpful or gen surgpath with emphasis on GU. Hemepath helpful too but you don’t want to go to a low volume VA job and lose your skills over time especially if you do a busy fellowship.

 

[SunBakedTrash]

Are these ads from the usajobs.gov site?

Yes. Also many VA job descriptions and jobs historically have required bone marrow and lymph node interpretation. Most general pathologists can approach these but it’s becoming sufficiently complex enough that some are deciding that it’s better off to let hemepaths do all heme except peripheral smears and obviously benign reactive lymph nodes.

When i was in training, the older VA pathologists knew nothing except old man disease and autopsy. I don’t think it’s like that as much anymore. Many veterans are women now and breast and GYN cases are going to become much more common there. I would do whatever fellowship you like (maybe not peds path) and apply broadly. I think demonstrating commitment to staying there will be more critical than your fellowship provided you are comfortable covering whatever they want you to do.

It is also possible that Trump will attempt to privatize the VA. If that actually happens, I think the already somewhat low volumes will probably get sent out to local academics or a corporate vendor like Quest. We will see.

 

[DrVan Nostrand]

Yes. Also many VA job descriptions and jobs historically have required bone marrow and lymph node interpretation. Most general pathologists can approach these but it’s becoming sufficiently complex enough that some are deciding that it’s better off to let hemepaths do all heme except peripheral smears and obviously benign reactive lymph nodes.

When i was in training, the older VA pathologists knew nothing except old man disease and autopsy. I don’t think it’s like that as much anymore. Many veterans are women now and breast and GYN cases are going to become much more common there. I would do whatever fellowship you like (maybe not peds path) and apply broadly. I think demonstrating commitment to staying there will be more critical than your fellowship provided you are comfortable covering whatever they want you to do.

It is also possible that Trump will attempt to privatize the VA. If that actually happens, I think the already somewhat low volumes will probably get sent out to local academics or a corporate vendor like Quest. We will see.

thanks for the insight.

also, do those starting salaries they post on usajobs usually move at all with negotiations? or are those hard set starting salaries with room to increase over time? they are so low for most spots

 

[WEBB PINKERTON]

Better learn how to knit because you will have a lot of free time. I have inspected many VA labs over the years and can't figure out why they even exist. VA jobs are where you go to lose your skills. Don't even consider going there.

Hopefully someone will privatize that major waste of money at some point. Specialized orthopedics and psychiatry should be the only services offered. Outsource the rest.

 

[DrVan Nostrand]

Better learn how to knit because you will have a lot of free time. I have inspected many VA labs over the years and can't figure out why they even exist. VA jobs are where you go to lose your skills. Don't even consider going there.

Hopefully someone will privatize that major waste of money at some point. Specialized orthopedics and psychiatry should be the only services offered. Outsource the rest.

Unfortunately I have to. They covered my med school tuition and send me a living stipend, so I owe them 6 years after training. Maybe if it gets privatized I will be let off the hook

 

[SunBakedTrash]

thanks for the insight.

also, do those starting salaries they post on usajobs usually move at all with negotiations? or are those hard set starting salaries with room to increase over time? they are so low for most spots

Pretty sure you get the same boilerplate contract as the cafeteria workers and the guy who mops the floors. I doubt you would have much ability to negotiate pay there, but I’ve never negotiated with the VA for a job.

 

[shikimate]

so out of curiosity, I looked at some of these VA ads. The ads all mention no significant restriction on moonlighting.
If the day job is pretty cush and guarantees you 250K a year, isn't this pretty good deal if you can moonlight on the side as well?
I mean if I was an American citizen, I'd take a 250K easy slow day job and do some side gig afterhours or even during lunch break lol.

 

[KeratinPearls]

so out of curiosity, I looked at some of these VA ads. The ads all mention no significant restriction on moonlighting.
If the day job is pretty cush and guarantees you 250K a year, isn't this pretty good deal if you can moonlight on the side as well?
I mean if I was an American citizen, I'd take a 250K easy slow day job and do some side gig afterhours or even during lunch break lol.

Moonlighting jobs from my experience aren’t abundant in path. Maybe if you can do some digital path job on the side but i haven’t seen many digital path jobs

I don’t think you’d want to moonlight grossing either which sucks.

 

[Zarniwoop]

The VA job gives you the time to day trade, manage your tree cutting business, start a tattoo removal business, and take long walks with your truffle pig, plus still have plenty time to go and cheer at the kids' baseball games.