More Information
Responsibilities
As a Pharmacist and Navy Officer, you will be responsible for:
- Drug information services
- Drug-use evaluations
- Unit dose distribution
- Quality control
- Sterile products
- Patient counseling
- Interventions
- Administration
Work Environment
The Navy employs Pharmacists who are stationed in any of more than 250 facilities in the U.S. and overseas – from Hawaii to Japan, Germany to Guam, and Washington, D.C., to Washington state.
As an integral part of the Naval Medical Service Corps, you could also lead personnel at one of the highly acclaimed national medical centers in Bethesda, MD, Portsmouth, VA or San Diego, CA. You could also provide administrative support aboard an aircraft carrier, or aboard one of two dedicated hospital ships—the USNS Comfort and USNS Mercy.
Training & Advancement
Those pursuing a Pharmacist position are required to attend Officer Development School (ODS) in Newport, RI. ODS is a five-week program that provides a comprehensive and intense introduction to the responsibilities of Navy Staff Corps Officers. Here they learn about the military structure of the U.S. Navy, its rich history of traditions and customs, leadership development and military etiquette.
Once that training is complete, you will learn the ins and outs of life as a Pharmacist at your first assignment.
Promotion opportunities are regularly available but competitive and based on performance.
Post-Service Opportunities
It’s also important to note that specialized training received and work experience gained in the course of service can lead to valuable credentialing and occupational opportunities in related fields in the civilian world.
Education Opportunities
The Navy offers generous scholarships, financial assistance and continuing education programs. You can finish your education with little or no debt, and learn to lead others, further distinguishing your career, enhancing your credentials and expanding the boundaries of your expertise. Plus, if you’re a graduate student, you can concentrate on your education or training, with no military/training obligation until after your program is completed.
Residents
Through the Navy Health Professions Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP), you may be eligible to receive financial assistance up to $134,600 while finishing your residency. This includes:
- A monthly military salary
- A generous housing allowance*
- A comprehensive health-care benefits package
*Navy HSCP housing allowance based on graduate school location. Increased offer amounts available in areas with a higher cost of living.
Practicing Pharmacists
Through the Navy Health Professions Loan Repayment Program (HPLRP), you may be eligible to receive financial assistance to pay down the cost of your graduate education.
All offers have many variables. To get details and find out which offer would benefit you most, request a medical recruiter contact you.
Qualifications & Requirements
To qualify for Active Duty employment consideration as a Pharmacist in the Navy Medical Service Corps, you must meet these basic requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen currently practicing in the U.S.
- Doctor of pharmacy degree from an accredited college or university
- Registration as a pharmacist in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia (licensure)
- Be willing to serve a minimum of three years of Active Duty
- Be between the ages of 18 and 41
- Be in good physical condition and pass a full medical examination
You may also be expected to meet certain preferred requirements:
- GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- GPA may vary with work experience (e.g., students with a low GPA [less than 2.8] who worked their way through college will receive the same consideration as applicants with a GPA of 3.2 or greater who did not work)
- Work experience of two to three years
General qualifications may vary depending upon whether you’re currently serving, whether you’ve served before or whether you’ve never served before.
Part-Time Opportunities
Serving part-time as a Reserve Sailor, your duties will be carried out during your scheduled drilling and training periods. During monthly drilling, Pharmacists in the Navy Reserve typically work at a location close to their homes. This gives you the flexibility to expand your medical experience in the Navy without compromising your civilian practice at home.
For annual training, Pharmacists may serve anywhere in the world, whether at sea, in hospitals stateside, or in bases and camps in countries around the world.
Take a moment to learn more about the general roles and responsibilities of Navy Reserve Sailors.
Most of what you do in the Navy Reserve is considered training. The basic Navy Reserve commitment involves training a minimum of one weekend a month (referred to as drilling) and two weeks a year (referred to as Annual Training) – or the equivalent.
Pharmacists in the Navy Reserve serve in an Officer role. Before receiving the ongoing professional training that comes with this job, initial training requirements must first be met.
For current or former Navy Officers (NAVET): Prior experience satisfies the initial leadership training requirement – so you will not need to go through Officer Training again.
For Officer candidates without prior military experience: Officer Candidates are required to attend Officer Development School (ODS) in Newport, RI. ODS is a five-week program that provides a comprehensive and intense introduction to the responsibilities of Navy Staff Corps Officers. Officers who previously held a commission in another United States Military Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Public Health Service, or United States Coast Guard are exempt from attending ODS or LDO/CWO Academy.
With flexible training options, Medical Officers in the Navy Reserve can comfortably balance civilian and military schedules. You can maintain your own life and your own practice – enriching both with the rewarding work you do for others.
The Navy Medical Corps offers you a truly diverse variety of academic, clinical and operational settings in which to practice. In some cases, you can even work in the same civilian hospital or setting you work in now. What’s more, you will enjoy an unrivaled sense of pride and fulfillment known only to those who serve.
As a Pharmacist in the Navy Medical Corps Reserves, you’ll receive a first-rate benefits package – including your choice of any one of these generous financial offers*:
- Up to $60,000 per year in specialty pay
- An immediate one-time sign-on bonus of up to $30,000
*Offers cannot be combined and depend on specialty. Sign-on bonus offer option available only to those with prior Navy experience (NAVET).
For complete offer details, request a medical recruiter contact you.