VA's Graduate Healthcare Administration Training Program (GHATP) supplements the didactic component of health services administration graduate programs by providing students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills. Through this program, VA provides in-hospital experiences for students receiving, or having just received, their master's degree in health care administration (MHA), health services administration (MHSA), or business administration (MBA). MBA candidates must have had coursework in health care administration to qualify.

There are two types of administrative training positions:

Residents – Graduate students who have completed the didactic portion of their accredited graduate program and who are required to pursue a practical experience for up to 12 months prior to receiving their degree.

Fellows – Graduates who recently received their master's degree from an accredited program and wish to receive advanced practical experience for up to 12 months.

To qualify, your master's program must be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME), the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), or the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Residents/fellows receive a salary, benefits, training, and travel. Training is provided by experienced VA professionals known as preceptors.

Upon successful completion of the training program, residents/fellows are eligible for non-competitive placement into a position within the VA health care system. Preceptors work with residents/fellows to find a position that best fits their skills, needs, and circumstances.

How to Apply
Interested candidates should apply directly to the VA medical center where GHATP preceptors are employed. View the list of 2008 GHATP preceptors and training sites. Candidates should apply six months in advance of the desired residency/fellowship.

For general information about GHATP, contact Marlee Garrick at Janet.Garrick@va.gov.

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