Pharmacy
The Coast Guard Pharmacy Community consists of 16 billeted pharmacist positions, two of which are administrative billets and 14 field billets.
Managerial Billets:
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Headquarters, Washington, DC – Pharmacy Program Coordinator/ Pharmacy Chief
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Health, Safety, Work-Life Service Center (HSWL SC) – Pharmacy Consultant
Field Billets:
| Alameda, CA |
Elizabeth City, NC |
New London, CT |
| Cape Cod, MA |
Kodiak, AK |
Petaluma, CA |
| Cape May, NJ |
LA/LB, CA |
Portsmouth, VA |
| Clearwater, FL |
Miami, FL |
Seattle, WA |
| |
Mobile, AL |
Washington, DC |
The field billets are typically O-5 (Commander) grade billets. These 14 pharmacists are not only responsible for total pharmacy operations at their assigned clinic, but also oversee more than 40 Coast Guard clinics and over 150 independent duty sites. The total number of collateral sites assigned to each field pharmacist varies but can be as high as 24 to include additional clinics, CG Cutters, Deployable Special Force units, and small boat stations to name a few. Support at these collateral sites may include pharmacy technicians, Independent Duty Health Services Technicians, and Clinic Administrators.
For the most part, the field billet sites are all one pharmacist deep locations and may operate without additional personnel support. Ideally, pharmacists are supported by a Health Services Technicians who has attended the Armed Forces “C” school training for Pharmacy Technicians or have completed the Pharmacy Watchstander Qualification Packet. CG Pharmacists are expected to contribute to the training and education of the Health Service Technicians within their respective area of responsibility.
Information regarding opportunities for pharmacists serving with the Coast Guard can be found via the following link: http://www.gocoastguard.com/find-your-career/officer-opportunities/programs/health-professions.
Pharmacy Services
Coast Guard clinics provide ambulatory care services, with Active-duty Coast Guard members having priority. All other beneficiaries are seen on a space available basis if the clinic has enough staff to support such operations. Coast Guard Pharmacy Services are open to all Uniformed Service members and their beneficiaries. There is currently policy in place however, that limits the filling of prescriptions written by outside (of the USCG) providers to only sites where a Pharmacy Officer is available to fill and dispense these prescriptions. The Coast Guard pharmacy formulary is based on the DOD Uniform Formulary. Items on the DOD Uniform Formulary generally can be procured in a timely manner if they are not already in stock at the Coast Guard clinic. Because the Coast Guard does not have any specialty providers or clinics, the pharmacies do not routinely carry specialty pharmaceuticals.
Experiential (Extern) Program
Due to the vast responsibilities and limited locations of Coast Guard pharmacy officers, the decision to support a college of pharmacy’s Experiential (Extern) Program is left to each individual Pharmacy Officer. Colleges of pharmacy wishing to inquire into the possibility and availability of establishing an MOU with any of the clinics are encouraged to contact CDR Jackie Finocchio with CG-1K21 at (202) 475-5469. The request can then be forwarded to the Pharmacy Officer assigned nearest to the College of Pharmacy for consideration. Please be advised that room and board, as well as travel will be at the sole responsibility of the student.
The Coast Guard does not have a scholarship program for pharmacy, nor does it not have a program to help with student loan repayment or forgiveness. There are other agencies within the US Public Health Service that do offer this and interested persons may visit their website at https://usphs.gov/.
Pharmacy Awards Program
The Pharmacy Awards program was established in 2006. Each year, one pharmacist and one pharmacy technician are recognized for excellence in pharmaceutical services, ensuring patient safety, exemplifying devotion to duty, honor, and country, displaying professionalism, and the Semper Paratus spirit. Presentation of the award is held during the APhA Joint Federal Pharmacy Seminar in the fall. A complete detail of the award program is available at Pharmacy award information/package.