Do you have a passion for healthcare policy and/or advocacy? 

The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy, ACCP, and ASHP offer a 14 month Washington, D.C.-based experience designed to prepare pharmacists for carers in public service. The program, graduating fellows since 2006, is described in detail at https://healthpolicy.pharmacy.vcu.edu/

Healthcare policy often intersects with complex societal problems and requires healthcare knowledge as well as innovative thinking and collaboration. The Fellow will gain experience in issue prioritization, policy analysis, legislative evaluation and policy development, effective writing, and advocacy program development and implementation skills. 

After foundational experiences with the sponsoring organizations during July and August, the fellow spends 12 months working within an individual Congressional Senator’s or Representative’s personal office or as a member of a Congressional committee staff. A such, the program emphasizes policy-oriented learning through participation, rather than observation. The Fellow utilizes their scientific, therapeutic and pharmaceutical knowledge as well as patient care experience to bring external perspectives to the policy process.

What does the program prepare pharmacists to do?

This program prepares pharmacists for a career as a: congressional staff member; policy development staff or congressional liaison for a federal agency; government affairs staff for a professional society, pharmaceutical company, or healthcare industry leader; or a career focused on healthcare policy, research or education. Check out where the program has taken our alumni fellows at: https://healthpolicy.pharmacy.vcu.edu/alumni-fellows/

Program Requirements

Candidates must be citizens of the United States, be a BS, MS, PharmD, or PhD prepared pharmacist, and have completed a PGY1 residency or have equivalent professional experience, preferably in direct patient care. Fellows receive a salary of $70,000, postdoctoral employee benefits, and have an allocation to cover moving expenses and professional travel.

How can I apply?

Application Instructions are on the program web site and all documents should be submitted to the Program Director prior to January 31.

About ACCP/ASHP/VCU Congressional Healthcare Policy Program

The Program provides a unique healthcare policy learning experience that allows the Fellow to effectively utilize scientific and pharmaceutical knowledge as well as patient care experience to make practical contributions within government decision making. The Fellow will develop legislative evaluation, policy development, research and writing skills as they integrate practical policy experience with theory. The Fellow will be exposed to a wide array of issues extending beyond pharmacy-related issues and often intersecting with complex, societal issues. The Fellow will be expected to undertake a wide array of responsibilities in the Congressional office they serve including researching and writing briefs on healthcare issues, assisting with policy decisions, drafting memoranda, planning, organizing and contributing to the management objectives of the office.

Connections working at ACCP/ASHP/VCU Congressional Healthcare Policy Program