Pharmacists are an integral part of the care we provide for our Veterans. They play an important role in treating any of the issues our Veterans may face and there are certain qualities that make someone a stronger candidate for a position at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Here are the top five qualities that we look for in a good pharmacist and why those qualities are important:
- Communication skills: As a VHA pharmacist, you will come into contact with all sorts of Veterans with a wide range of needs. In order to do your job effectively, you need to be able to communicate effectively with patients, nurses, caregivers and other health care professionals.
- An eye for detail: The specifics of prescriptions and instructions can be confusing to some patients, and accuracy makes all the difference. Proper dispensation and scrutinizing a prescriber’s notes and providing proper directions are critical. Small mistakes can have drastic, and grave, consequences. A keen eye for detail can literally save someone’s life.
- Leadership skills: As a pharmacist, you may be responsible for pharmacy students or lower-level pharmacy technicians. Being a good role model is important for their development, and having leadership skills can make sure that the field continues to improve. At VHA, we give our employees plenty of opportunities to hone their leadership skills, but having an inclination for leadership will make you an exceptional candidate.
- Compassion: Having compassion for our Nation’s heroes is something we expect of all of our employees. Our patients have done a great service for our Nation and deserve to have access to the best care in the country. For pharmacists with VHA, compassion will help you understand the complex issues many of our Veterans face and administer the appropriate care through honest and empathetic communication with them.
- A thirst for new knowledge: Love to read medical journals, attend lectures and stay up to date on new drugs and therapies? The world of medicine is constantly changing — new medications, treatments and information — and we want pharmacists who have a desire to remain current in their field to make sure their patients get the best care possible.
If you have these qualities and want to make a difference for Veterans, browse our open pharmacist positions and Join VA. VA will support your career and development with a generous benefits packages so you can focus on your patients, not your loans.
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Excellent article. Veterans have extraordinary pharmaceutical needs and the Communications section being 1st is correct. Many of us take multiple combinations of medications. Having someone across the counter who checks for prescription details closely and runs checks on any potential problems with side affects or bad combinations goes a long way with Vets confidence.
Fred Miller
US Navy Submarine Service