Insider’s perspective
Respondents listed the following critical factors as those being the most important to them. Please note
that a factor can rank highly based on wanting the factor or wanting to avoid the factor. As an example,
some may rank repetitive activities as a top factor if this is something that they want or look to avoid
in their practice. The factors listed below are based on the number of respondents who indicated these
would be the top five factors they would like to have in a role. Note that there are 25 total critical
factors from which to select.
Top 5 – first tier
Three of the factors have the same percentage response.
- Application of knowledge (clinical or scientific) (18.6%)
- Problem solving (9.30%)
- Community impact (9.30%)
- Collaborating with health professionals (9.30%)
- Leisure and family time (6.98%)
In addition to the top 5 factors, the second tier of critical factors are listed below. Note that three
of the factors, application of knowledge, problem solving, and collaborating with health professionals
are listed in both areas. This can be interpreted to mean that, for some, these factors are in their top
five list while, for others, these are a close second. All of the second-tier factors were listed by the
same percentage of respondents.
Top 5 – second tier
- Application of knowledge (e.g., clinical or scientific) (14.0%)
- Problem solving (14.0%)
- Collaborating with health professionals (14.0%)
- Leadership and professional development (14.0%)
- Work type (e.g., repetitive versus variable work) (14.0%)
One respondent from Georgia indicated that for application of knowledge it is, “Nice to use what was
learned in school.” Another respondent from Arizona stated, “It is hard to put into words just how
invaluable a collaborative setting is. It builds needed rapport, respect for other professions, increase
in resources, increase in communication skills, and so many more skills!”
There are many rewarding and challenging experiences in being a clinical pharmacist in the federal
government. Thirty percent of the respondents indicated helping patients was the most rewarding aspect
of the role. A different respondent from Arizonia stated, “Rewarding–the amount of patients who tell me
thank you for listening to them and reassuring them by saying ‘I will make sure you are taken care of
even if that requires me reaching out to other contacts.’ ” Another from North Dakota added, “making a
positive impact on a Veteran's medication therapy.”
There was no specific area highlighted as challenging as there are many. One of the clinical pharmacists
from Arizona indicated, “We are sent the sickest patients that tend to be non-compliant and have large
healthcare knowledge deficits.” Another from Alaska stated, “Challenging experience is going on multiple
deployments in a short span of time.”
Respondents were asked to select an additional factor from the full list that they consider to be the
most important. Work schedule was listed the most often at 18.6%, followed by job security at 14.0%, and
pressure/stress at 9.30%.
Federal clinical pharmacists had a variety of responses that they provided as highlights of their career
and where they see the future of the role. Several of the responses are listed below:
- “Being able to serve those who have given our country so much and their family that also
sacrificed.”
- “Veterans commenting regularly on how much our work has made them care about themselves again.”
- “Growing a small branch into a 48-person division, staffed with mostly pharmacists.”
- “Patient safety should continue to be the primary focus of healthcare. It should grow exponentially,
but sadly it will be a slow climb.”
- “My pharmacist career highlight has been as chief pharmacy officer on an international deployment.”
- “More opportunities for pharmacists to participate in interdisciplinary roles/non-traditional
roles.”
- “Expansion of the role of pharmacists in public health initiatives and expansion of pharmacists
working in formal public health roles.”
Critical factor ratings
Opportunities for advancement
[To what degree does your work allow for advancement?]
Respondents indicated that there are modest opportunities for advancement with a rating of 6.76.
A federal clinical pharmacist from Arizona stated, “Main opportunities to advance beyond being a
provider of care is becoming a supervisor, associate chief or chief of department.” Another respondent
from Georgia stated, “As a PHS officer, in traveling through the Navajo Nation, I was able to work
through several billets inside and outside of pharmacy.”
Another pharmacist from California indicated that they work, “In a department with over 100 pharmacists.
Only two have a pay grade above me and one has a pay grade above them so it's a waiting for retirement
game.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Little advancement opportunities
10 = Great opportunities for advancement
Leadership development/professional involvement
[To what extent does your work allow for the development of leadership skills and
professional involvement in the pharmacy profession?]
Respondents rated this factor in the mid-range with a score of 7.56.
A pharmacist from New Mexico stated, “Due to our scope of practice we are able to be a leader of our
team in patient care, however, we are often less able to participate in pharmacy organizations due to
restrictions in the federal government.” Another respondent from Arizona indicated, “This job requires
leadership skills, and the bonus is being able to participate in all the different professional groups
on the state and national levels.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Little development of leadership skills and professional involvement
10 = Great opportunities for leadership development and professional
involvement
Community impact
[How much impact does your work have in terms of serving the community?]
Respondents indicated that they have the opportunity to impact the community with a rating of 7.64.
A respondent from North Carolina stated, “I am heavily involved in working with the community and
implementing our programs with involvement from high schools, local colleges, and community centers.”
Another from Alabama added, “Working in primary care, there is a widespread impact to the specific
community of the veteran population, which tends to have less success with health outcomes due to
socioeconomic issues.”
One pharmacist from California had a different perspective of what community impact accomplishes and
indicated, “Direct patient care that has evolved to where patients have become referral sources.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Little impact
10 = High level of impact
Autonomy
[To what extent does your work allow for autonomy in decision making?]
Respondents indicated that they have a moderate level of autonomy with a 7.76 rating.
One respondent from Arizona stated, “The VA is a guideline-based practice setting, which carries some
autonomy restraints, however I'm able to practice independently within the VA practice guidelines.” A
different respondent from Arizona added, “Every day I am permitted to make decisions that include
starting, discontinuing, and modifying prescriptions as well as referrals to other professionals.”
Another pharmacist from Arizona indicated that they feel that they have a high level of autonomy when
they said, “I never imagined I would be able to run my own tertiary level clinic with my own patient
panel and prescriptive authority. I love my level of autonomy and coordination with my healthcare team!”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Very little low autonomy
10 = High level of autonomy
Focus
[To what extent does your work allow you to be focused on the future versus a focus only on
immediate tasks?]
Respondents were mid-range with a 6.68 rating on the critical factor regarding focus.
One clinician from Arizona stated, “For the most part, we focus on the day-to-day tasks, but we get to
participate in the decisions that affect the future of pharmacy practice in our state.” Another
respondent from Michigan added, “Quality and Safety has both tactical and strategic goals and impacts.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Immediate tasks only
10 = Tasks focused on the future
Prestige
[To what extent does your work provide professional prestige?]
Prestige varies depending on the team/group that you work with. In general, the respondents indicated
that they are mid-range with a rating of 7.30.
One respondent from New York stated, “Pharmacy service as a whole is thought of highly. We have great
administrative staff and awesome employees.” Another from Alabama had a different perspective when they
added, “Our organization is not about prestige but about taking care of our patients.” This was
countered by a comment provided by a respondent from Maryland who felt that they are, “Well respected.
Views appreciated.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Provides low prestige
10 = Provides high prestige
Creating value/positive outcomes
[To what extent does your work allow for personal fulfillment through the creation of value
and positive outcomes?]
Respondents rated creating value/positive outcomes as the second highest critical factor with a score of
8.36.
One respondent from Arizona provided what many were stating, “We have a great opportunity daily to make
meaningful positive impact/differences in patient's quality of life through improvements in their
disease state control.” Another from Alaska added, “Tons of personal fulfillment as one gets to serve
the public in a domestic setting as well as international setting.”
One clinician from Arizona felt that they, “Have the privilege of guiding pharmacists in their
profession hopefully in a way that improves their practice and inspires them to be passionate about
their profession.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Little extent
10 = High extent
Patient relationships
[To what degree do you have ongoing or long-term relationships with
patients?]
Respondents rated patient relationships as a mid-range factor at 5.83.
A respondent from New York indicated, “I work in long term care so most of my patients knew me before I
had kids or have seen me pregnant several times, which is the same with my coworkers.” Another
respondent from Arizona added, “I have a group of doctors that I support, and my patient base is
consistent, I have known some of my patients for almost 25 years, we are the second fastest growing VA
in the country so lots of new patients as well.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = No ongoing/ long-term relationships
10 = All are long-term relationships
Coworker/client relationships
[To what degree do you have ongoing or long-term relationships with coworkers or
clients?]
Respondents rated coworker/client relationships as a high-range relationship at 8.14. This means that
they tend to be long-term.
One respondent from Arizona stated, “The downside is not having personal contact with patients in a
practice. However, I work with a great bunch of people and plan to remain friends even after I retire.”
Another respondent from New York added, “I have 15 years of service working with some of the same people
and some of my patients I have been taking care for almost ten years.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = No ongoing/ long-term relationships
10 = All are long-term relationships
Writing/conducting research
[How often do you engage in writing and/or conducting research?]
Most respondents indicated that they spend little time writing/conducting research and rated this factor
3.60.
One pharmacist from Arizona provided that, “Most of our work involves research of data, clinical trials,
MedWatch reports, and scientific publications. A written document summarizes the data and analysis.”
Another from Michigan added, “The Quality and Safety Division includes Graduate Medical Education and
Research Division so there is some oversight and familiarity but limited execution of actual studies.”
A respondent from Arizona looked at this a little differently when they stated, “I also serve as our
PGY2 Residency Program Coordinator, so I’m able to participate in PGY2 projects each year, as well as
mentoring for PGY1 projects.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = None of my time
10 = All my time
Generating new ideas
[To what degree does your work involve generating new ideas?]
Respondents were mid-range at 6.29 relative to generating new ideas.
One pharmacist from Arizona stated, “IHS supports pharmacists and integration into many aspects of care.
Someone just needs to demonstrate passion and competence to bring forward new ideas and efficiencies.” A
different respondent from Arizona added, “There is only so much innovation you can do and remain within
the statutes, however we do like to problem-solve.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Little innovative thinking
10 = High degree of innovative thinking
Supervision/management
[To what extent do you spend your time organizing, managing, or supervising others and/or
business operations?]
Respondents rated the factor supervision/management in the mid-range at 5.03.
A respondent from Arizona stated, “Management of workflow and peers in pharmacy-based clinics.” Another
from Georgia added that they, “Organize coverage for acute care pharmacists (7 in total).”
On the other side, a respondent from Arizona related this to their precepting side, “Precepting student
pharmacists and residents is a big part of our clinical pharmacy practice.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = None of my time
10 = All my time
Patient interaction
[How much time do you spend interacting with patients?]
Clinical pharmacists indicated that they spend some time with patients with a rating of 5.31.
A respondent from Arizona stated, “I run a clinic and see patients all day. I interact with other
patients in the waiting room, and I work on an active military base, so I interact with department of
defense (DOD) personal family members that are here for care on the DOD side but not from me.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = None of my time
10 = All my time
Public interaction
[How much time do you spend interacting with the public?]
Public interaction was rate as the lowest critical factor for this group at 3.34.
One respondent from Arizona stated, “I occasionally have an opportunity to talk to the public,
especially when a complaint is made by someone who is a patient.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = None of my time
10 = All my time
Collaboration
[How often do you work or collaborate with other health professionals or educate other
professionals in your work?]
Pharmacists in clinical roles with the federal government rated collaboration in the high range with an
8.06 score.
One respondent from Arizona stated, “The VA PACT (Patient-Aligned Care Team) model allows for nearly
constant collaboration with all aspects of a patient's health care.” A different respondent from Arizona
supported this statement and added, “I provide a lot of support to nurses and MDs, NPs, PAs in clinic
and I educate PharmD students and residents every month on rotation.” An additional respondent from New
York also collaborates with others and said, “I work with an interdisciplinary team comprised of a
physician, psychologist, dietitian, social worker, and nurse.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = None of my time
10 = All my time
Family/leisure time
[How much free time do you have for leisure and family activities in your work?]
Respondents rated this factor as mid-range with a score of 5.83. The ability to take time differs based
on the role and location of the employee.
One pharmacist from Arizona stated, “It's easy to get imbalanced with work/life, but it is important to
set boundaries.” A different respondent from Arizona added, “I have a demanding job, usually work at
least 9-10 hours per day.” A respondent from Illinois provided a different perspective when they stated,
“Time off is easy to take with and get approval for.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Little free time
10 = Plenty of time for family and leisure activities
Impact on well-being
[To what degree do you impact the well-being of individuals?]
Respondents rated their impact on well-being in the upper range with an 8.20.
A respondent from Arizona stated, “I hope that the message I convey to the other professionals that I
interact with improves their well-being by helping them develop the skills they need or helping them to
solve problems that may arise.” Another respondent from New York provided the following, “I feel like I
have a direct and great impact on my patients.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Low degree
10 = High degree
Problem solving
[To what degree do you solve problems with tried-and-true alternatives versus untested
alternatives in your work?]
Problem solving was rated as mid-range with 4.91.
A respondent from Arizona looked at this from their practice side, “Just thinking about our practice
being guideline-directed.” Another from New York added, “We use evidence-based guidelines, we
collaborate, and we prioritize patient centered care.”
One additional pharmacist from Arizona stated, “Because our work is affecting the population the methods
used should be based on established principles for the most part.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Tried and true
10 = Untested alternatives
Expertise
[How general or specialized is the expertise required in your work?]
Respondents rated the requirement of expertise at mid-range with a 6.66 rating.
One pharmacist from Arizona stated, “IHS pharmacists are generalists. At my site we have multiple
pharmacies (peds, primary care, specialty) and rotate inpatient and outpatient, so our skill set must be
broad.” A different respondent from Arizona added, “Good mix of practices at the VA including inpatient,
outpatient, primary care, and specialty clinics. My focus is mostly primary care.”
A different respondent from Arizona has a unique perspective, “I have to be familiar with our state laws
for the practice of pharmacy, medical examiners, nursing, and PA's. I am also familiar with Federal
guidelines from the FDA and DEA. I am a trained inspector for USP 795, 797, 800 & 825.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Generalized
10 = Specialized
Repetition
[To what degree is your work composed of activities and tasks that are highly repetitive
versus highly variable?]
Respondents rated repetition as mid-range with a 6.00. This is one factor that is interesting to review
as different people consider repetition in various ways. To some, a role may be repetitive while, to
others, it is the motions or tasks that are repetitive, and the patients and outcomes unique.
A respondent from New York stated, “My monthly medication regimen reviews are repetitive, but the
patients are dynamic, so the content and recommendations vary.” Another respondent from Arizona added,
“It is always different with patient workload, assignments, patient needs, staffing, precepting. One can
never be bored.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Highly repetitive
10 = Highly variable
Applying scientific knowledge
[How much of your time is spent applying scientific knowledge in your
work?]
The application of scientific knowledge was rated 7.00, a. mid-range result.
A respondent from Arizona indicated, “USP inspections require scientific knowledge, inspection
institutional facilities require clinical knowledge.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = No application
10 = High level of application all the time
Applying clinical knowledge
[How much of your time is spent applying clinical knowledge in your
work?]
Applying clinical knowledge was rated slightly higher that scientific knowledge at 7.66.
One respondent from Arizona was detailed and stated, “You need to know what the primary
literature/evidence is, but you have to be able to apply that and use motivational interviewing
techniques and be able to educate on the patient's level and your clinical knowledge helps guide when to
implement certain therapies–it's an art.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = No application
10 = High level of application all the time
Parental leave
[To what extent does your work setting offer parental leave opportunities?]
Parental leave does not impact all respondents in the same way. Some do not have a need for this factor.
The group rated this 7.11 a mid-range rating.
One pharmacist from Colorado summed this up well when they stated, “The federal government has great
parental leave options.” Another from Alaska indicated that, “The FMLA process has allowed me to take
maternity leave 3 times over my 14-year career with the VA.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Limited opportunities
10 = Unlimited opportunities
Compensation
[To what degree do you feel compensated for your responsibilities in your work?]
Overall, the rating of 7.51 indicates good compensation.
One respondent from Arizona supported this idea as they stated, “I'm well paid and have excellent
retirement and health benefits–top notch.” Another pharmacist from North Carolina added, “Between
benefits and pay, I do well.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Not well compensated
10 = Well compensated
Benefit package
[How comprehensive is the employee benefit package offered in your work setting?]
The benefit package factor was rated the highest factor by the group with a high-range rating of 8.46.
One respondent from Arizona summed this up well including what most stated, “I have a retirement plus a
401K account, bonus for longevity, good health insurance, and other paid benefits.”
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
0 = Not comprehensive
10 = Very Comprehensive
Advice for student pharmacists
Respondents provided advice across several areas and what the future brings. Continued growth received a
rating of 18.6%. Additional information from several of the pharmacists is listed below:
- “Make time to inform patient of recommendations. Let them have a voice.”
- “Very rewarding career. You must be a person who cares for patients.”
- “As the medication expert, you will be helping your patient to get the best therapy option tailored
to them.”
- “Expanding roles into more specialized clinical pharmacy practitioners.”
- “Growth and improvement.”
- “Recognition of pharmacists as providers by CMS.”
Professional organizations
Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP)
675 North Washington Street, Suite 220, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 684-2600 | www.amcp.org
Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)
190 South LaSalle Street, Suite 3000, Chicago, IL 60603-3446
(312) 664-3575 | www.acpe-accredit.org
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP)
1400 Crystal Drive, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22202
(703) 739-2330 | www.aacp.org
American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS)
Avedisian Hall, 7 Greenhouse Road, Kingston, RI 02881
(703) 556-0650 | www.aaps.org
American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP)
8055 O Street, Suite S113, Lincoln, NE 68510
(402) 476-1677 | www.aapp.org
American College of Apothecaries (ACA)
2830 Summer Oaks Drive, Bartlett, TN 38134
(901) 383-8119 | www.acainfo.org
American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP)
13000 West 87th Street Parkway, Lenexa, KS 66215-4530
(913) 492-3311 | www.accp.com
American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education (AFPE)
11325 Random Hills Road, Suite 360A-105, Fairfax, VA 22030
(571) 404-0471 | www.afpenet.org
American Pharmacists Association (APhA)
2215 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 628-4410 | www.pharmacist.com
American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP)
1240 North Pitt Street, Suite 300, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 739-1300 | www.ascp.com
American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP)
4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, MD 20814
(866) 279-0681 | www.ashp.org
Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS)
2215 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20037
(202) 946-5026 | www.bpsweb.org
Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA)
555 East Wells Street, Suite 1100, Milwaukee, WI 53202
(877) 467-2791 | www.hoparx.org
National Alliance of State Pharmacy Associations (NASPA)
2530 Professional Road, North Chesterfield, VA 23235
(804) 285-4431 | www.naspa.us
National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP)
1600 Feehanville Drive, Mount Prospect, IL 60056
(847) 391-4406 | www.nabp.pharmacy
National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS)
1776 Wilson Blvd, Suite 200, Arlington, VA 22209
(703) 549-3001 | www.nacds.org
National Association of Specialty Pharmacy (NASP)
300 New Jersey Ave, NW, #900, Washington, DC 20001
(703) 842.0122 | www.naspnet.org
National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)
100 Daingerfield Road, Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 683-8200 | www.ncpa.org
National Pharmaceutical Association (NPhA)
10810 North Tatum Boulevard, Suite 102-965, Phoenix, AZ 85028
(480) 405-9291 | www.nationalpharmaceuticalassociation.org
Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)
670 Maine Avenue, SW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20024
(202) 835-3400 | www.phrma.org