Background:
The Pharmacy VA-STEP serves as a first step to gain employment with the VA after graduation and licensure. The student is employed as a trainee earning a salary while they learn to develop understanding, confidence, and competencies in the care of our nations Veterans at a local VA facility under the supervision of a mentor. Individuals selected will learn both inpatient and outpatient Pharmacy technician and Pharmacist duties, with oversight. The student will be exposed to clinical management, lab evaluation and treatment plans for Veteran care, and resident training. VA-STEP is a program for aspiring pharmacists seeking fulfilling careers improving the lives of those who’ve served our nation. Students recruited for the program must be attending an ACPE accredited School or College of Pharmacy. Students may be appointed on a full-time basis during the summer months and may continue during their final academic year on a part-time basis.
Key Points:
- Initial appointment as a VA-STEP student will be from May/June 2025 to September 2025, with a usual requirement of 400 hours. Students will be expected to work and be on-site during normal business hours (Mon-Fri 8-430pm) when they are out of school, either summer breaks or when not on 4th year rotations. There is a good possibility of the program continuing for an additional year after September 2025 for the accepted students (please consider this when applying to the program).
- Two (2) students will be chosen for the program that are currently in their 2nd professional year. Students will be required to be FULLY ON-SITE and preferably reside in the South Florida area (mostly during the summer and school breaks) to help complete the required hours in a timely manner.
- Students chosen that are currently in their 2nd professional year will be expected to complete required hours during the summer break 2025 between their 2nd and 3rd years with the possibility of continuing into their 3rd and the beginning of their 4th professional years.
- Students will be appointed under 38 United States Code (U.S.C.) 7405(a)(1)(D) at a salary equal to 80 percent of the local VA facility’s per annum salary rate for GS-11, Step 1 on the general schedule including the locality adjustment of the current year (approximately $45 per hour).
Student requirements:
- A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale based on their last completed semester
- Be able to complete a minimum of 400 hours as a Pharmacy VA-STEP student at the WPB VA
- Be a United States citizen and meet physical examination standards at the time of entry into the Pharmacy VA-STEP program.
To Apply:
- APPLY to VA-STEP here: VA-STEP Application – Veterans Affairs Scholarship Program (intelliworxit.com)
Please note: The VA’s Application Management System (VA AMS) enables students to provide the required data and documents for the successful submission of the scholarship application package. The application process will require the following documents to be completed and uploaded for submission into VA AMS.
Student must complete the following:
- Application (Completed by student applicant in AMS)
- Two (2) Recommendations Letters:
- Required: Dean/Academic Faculty
- Required: Employer/Manager/Other
- Resume
- Transcript
- DD214 (current and former service members)
- Attend an on-site interview in March as indicated with program coordinator and designated staff
Submit Application online no later than January 31, 2025
Questions may be addressed to Nahla Lutfi, PharmD at (561) 951-1875/email: Nahla.lutfi@va.gov