Agencies with Pharmacists

For more information: click here Federal Bureau of Prisons Pharmacy Home Page.

INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE
Many new pharmacy graduates begin their PHS careers in the Indian Health Service (IHS). Today, there are approximately 560 pharmacists in the IHS and of this number 405 are in the PHS Commissioned Corps. Clinical pharmacy services are provided to 1.3 million American Indians and Alaska Natives living on or near reservations located in 34 states. The largest number of facilities are in the southwest. Pharmacists provide health care working as team members and play an important role in the provision of pharmaceutical care for patients. The majority of IHS facilities are computerized and have private consultation rooms.

• At inpatient facilities, services provided include pharmacokinetics, physician rounding, unit dose and IV additive services.
• At ambulatory facilities, pharmacists provide primary care, review the patient's health record for appropriateness of drug therapy, make interventions with providers, and counsel all patients on their medications.

Many pharmacists choose to remain in the IHS for their entire career. However, there is the opportunity for pharmacists to move between agencies.

For more information: click here Indian Health Service Pharmacy Home Page.

IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE
DIVISION OF IMMIGRATION HEALTH SERVICES
Although smaller than other sister agencies, with only 10 practicing pharmacists and 4 more in administrative or technical positions, the Division of Immigration Health Service (DIHS) is on the cutting edge of pharmacy technology. Many facets of telemedicine are being implemented in our clinics in the areas of teleradiology, telepharmacy and telemetal health. All pharmacies are computerized and DIHS is currently implementing a remote drug distribution system with teleconsultation for the patients. All of the clinical work is done in a correctional setting, providing health care to detainees of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Most of the DIHS facilities are around the perimeter of the country, but both urban and rural sites are available. You can tour the DIHS website to learn about locations available and scope of work. DIHS serves patients from many different countries, with very diverse cultures and languages. If necessary, because of the language diversity, instantaneous translation is available for pharmacy video conferencing consultation. DIHS is a very progressive organization with tremendous growth potential. If you want to be an important part of an integrated health services team, consider a career with DIHS.

For more information and a current list of vacancy announcements, click here: DIHS Home Page.

FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION
The FDA employs over 300 pharmacists to ensure the safety of drugs and related products. Locations range from FDA headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, to one of 150 cities nationwide with FDA operations. While the FDA hires a few new graduates most positions are filled by pharmacists with at least two years experience in clinical practice. FDA pharmacists may work:

• in pharmacology, toxicology, radiopharmacology, and pharmacokinetics;
• on new drug applications and adverse reaction reports;
• as field inspectors and consumer safety officers; or
• on expert advisory committees and review panels.

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
Most NIH pharmacists work at the Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, a 450-bed research hospital and laboratory complex. Pharmacists and pharmacy residents team with physicians to design, implement, and evaluate over 1,200 investigational drug regimens each year. Their needs include:

• staff pharmacists with 1 year of hospital experience;
• specialized pharmacists with a postgraduate degree and 1 year of clinical work in their specialty;
• trained radiopharmacists, to work in nuclear medicine.

Also, the NIH's Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Disease and of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke, as well as its National Cancer Institute, employ pharmacists in clinical and administrative posts.

For more information: click here NIH Clinical Center Pharmacy Home Page.

OFFICE OF THE SURGEON GENERAL

For more information: click here Office of the Surgeon General.
 

Roles for pharmacists in HRSA include the study of national pharmacy manpower requirements and in development of health professions' education infrastructure. Pharmacists are also involved in the provision of medications for the treatment of HIV/AIDS to medically underserved people.

For more information: Health Resources and Services Administration Home Page.
 

For more information: click here DHS

Limited opportunities are available in other PHS agencies. To find out more about opportunities, see How to Contact Us.