Academics

Our VA Paid programs are integral to the Department of Veterans Affairs' mission, offering comprehensive training and educational opportunities for health professions trainees across various disciplines. These programs not only enhance the professional development of trainees but also significantly contribute to the quality of care provided to our Veterans.

Through these programs, trainees in Optometry, Social Work, Psychology, Pharmacy, Licensed Professional Mental Health Counseling (LPMHC), and Nursing Residency gain hands-on experience and specialized skills under the guidance of experienced VA professionals. This collaboration fosters an environment of continuous learning and improvement, ensuring that our Veterans receive the highest standard of care.

The direct involvement of trainees in patient care activities helps address the healthcare needs of Veterans by increasing access to services, introducing innovative approaches to treatment, and promoting comprehensive, patient-centered care. The interdisciplinary nature of these programs encourages a holistic approach to healthcare, allowing for better coordination and integration of services.
Ultimately, our VA Paid programs play a crucial role in sustaining and enhancing the quality of healthcare for Veterans, as well as preparing the next generation of dedicated healthcare professionals committed to serving those who have served our country.

Our Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Residency Program offers new graduate nurses a supportive environment to transition from academic learning to professional practice. Through a structured curriculum, trainees develop clinical competencies, leadership skills, and confidence, ensuring they are well-equipped to provide high-quality care to Veterans. In addition to primary care, specialty rotations may include cardiology, neurology, gastroenterology, gynecology, urology, orthopedics, pulmonology, sleep medicine, rheumatology, hematology/oncology, dermatology, podiatry, physical medicine and rehab, wound and ostomy, general surgery, hospital medicine, and urgent care.

Eligibility Requirements:
The ideal candidates for our Nurse Practitioner Residency Program are those who have excelled academically and come highly recommended by faculty and clinical mentors. These applicants should demonstrate a strong commitment to patient-centered, team-based clinical care and be motivated to engage in practice-based learning and quality improvement. Successful candidates will exhibit strong interpersonal and communication skills, a commitment to professionalism and ethical practice, and value interprofessional collaboration. 

Additionally, they should show engagement in leadership and leadership development while possessing a passion for primary care practice and a dedication to serving the Veteran population. We are especially seeking applicants who are eager to train and work in primary care and have a strong interest in caring for Veterans. This program is explicitly designed for nurse practitioner graduates who aspire to practice within the VA healthcare system and are committed to advancing high-quality primary care for Veterans.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Graduation within the last 12 months from a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited master’s, post-master’s certificate, or doctoral nurse practitioner program.
• No prior employment as a nurse practitioner (the residency must be the applicant’s first NP position)
• Board certification in primary care as either a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP).
• Possession of an NPI number.
• A current, full, and unrestricted license as both a Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner in any state, Commonwealth, or territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia, before the program start date.
• U.S. citizenship.

Application Process:
The application cycle is rolling and will remain open until positions are filled. Preference will be given to graduates of local, affiliated nurse practitioner programs, including Washington State University and Gonzaga University. Interested candidates should submit all application materials in a single email to:
Sophia.Dunton2@va.gov 

Required materials include:
1. Curriculum Vitae
2. Unofficial graduate school transcripts
3. Personal Statement (1–2 pages) addressing the following:

• What interests you about becoming a primary care nurse practitioner, and how have your personal, educational, or professional experiences prepared you for primary care practice?
• Your short- and long-term goals for the residency and how they align with your broader career goals and vision.
• Your interest in working with Veterans at the Spokane VA Medical Center, anticipated challenges, and what you hope to gain from working in a Veteran-focused primary care clinic within a hospital setting.
• How has your educational or professional journey been enriched through exposure to diverse people, places, or experiences, including specific examples.

Letters of Recommendation:

• One from the faculty or the program director of your graduate NP program.
• Two from individuals familiar with your clinical practice.

Program Benefits:

Residents will be eligible for full-time VA paid training and federal employee benefits

• Federal Employee Health Benefits (some plans include limited dental coverage).
• 4 hours annual leave and 4 hours sick leave biweekly.
• 11 paid federal holidays.
• No weekends, on-call, or night shift duties.
• Health Profession Trainees are not entitled to the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP), Federal Employee Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), military leave, or Paid Parental Leave.

Program Contact Information:

Program Director

Sophia Dunton DNP, ARNP, FNP-C

Sophia.Dunton2@va.gov 

Deputy Program Director 

Sidney Trinka MSN, MN, ARNP, AGNP-C 

Sidney.Trinka@va.gov

Program Mailing Address:

Mann-Grandstaff VAMC

Primary Care NP Residency

4815 N. Assembly St.

Spokane, WA, 99205

The LPMHC program trains future counselors in providing mental health services to Veterans. Trainees receive supervision and experience in conducting individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, and developing treatment plans, fostering the skills necessary for a successful career in mental health counseling.

Mission

The Mann-Grandstaff Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC), with Pacific University College of Optometry (PUCO) of Forest Grove, Oregon, has developed a one-year residency program in optometry. The fundamental mission of this training program is to provide qualified post-doctorate practitioners with a structured educational experience that will expand their development into exceptional optometric clinicians in the areas of primary care, geriatrics, ocular disease, and surgical co-management. Upon completion of the residency, the clinician will emerge with enhanced clinical skills, knowledge, and experience which will elevate him/her beyond entry-level practice, making residents suitable candidates for optometry positions in co-management, multidisciplinary settings, and/or postgraduate optometric education. 

General Information 

Residency Program Coordinator: 

Len V. Koh, OD, FAAO 

Residency Program Faculty: 

Chad Gosnell, OD, FAAO 

Allison Coit-Makadia, OD 

Virginia Bice, OD 

Kara Webster, OD, MEd 

Length of Program: 52 weeks, July 1st through June 30th 

Number of Positions: 3 

Salary: $43,924 – not contingent upon the productivity of the resident. 

Hours: The residents report to the clinic four days per week, from approximately 6:30 am to 5:00 pm, with their additional day off rotating every 4 months. 

Leave: Residents earn 10 days paid annual leave and 10 days paid sick leave per year. There are also 11 paid Federal Holidays annually. 

Professional Liability Protection: VA residents are covered by federal liability protection under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). 

Health Insurance Benefits: The VA provides full medical health insurance to residents. 

Certificate of Completion: A certificate of completion will be awarded to the resident upon satisfactory completion of residency requirements. This includes: Completion of more than 1200 patient encounters. Proficiency in procedures in primary eye care. Increase knowledge and skill in co-management of co-management of medical surgical eye conditions. Involvement in the completion of pre-operative and post-operative cataract surgery exams. Competency in fitting medical and cosmetic contact lenses. Completion of a publishable manuscript. Completion of a presentation at the annual Northwest Optometric Residents Conference. 

Program Goals 

• Strengthen the Resident’s Primary Care Skills
• To Enhance the Resident’s Skills in Treating the Geriatric Population • Increase Knowledge and Skill in Co-management of Medical-Surgical Eye Conditions
• Increase Knowledge of Cataract Surgery
• To Strengthen the Resident’s Skill in Detecting and Managing Ocular Disease
• To Stimulate the Resident’s Responsibility for Scholarly Activity. 

Residency Experience 

Scholarly Activities: Residents are expected to author a manuscript suitable for publication and to present this work at the annual Northwest Optometric Residents’ Conference. 

Continuing Education: Residents are encouraged to attend continuing education sponsored by the Pacific University College of Optometry and the Department of Veterans Affairs at no charge for credit hours. A nominal fee for printed materials and meals will be required for some Pacific University functions. Authorized absence (AA) from clinical responsibilities can be granted for attendance of educational conferences. 

Lecturing: Residents will present a lecture at the annual Northwest Optometric Residents’ Conference prior to the completion of the residency program. 

Clinical Privileges: Residents are required to be supervised as per VHA Directive 1400.01 (supervision of physician, dental, optometry, chiropractic, and podiatry residents). The Optometry Residency Program Supervisor must submit a statement regarding the resident’s level of training, which determines the resident’s privileges. Optometry Staff privileges at the Spokane VAMC are equivalent to the scope of practice permitted by Washington State Law. These laws can be explained in detail by the state board. 

Performance Evaluations: The resident will receive written evaluations via Meditrek from the Residency Program Supervisor on a trimester basis. The resident will evaluate the Residency Program Supervisor, attending doctors, and the program biannually. 

Worksite: The resident will work at the Spokane VAMC eye clinic four days per week except in cases of vacation, federal holidays, or authorized absence. 

Patient Population & Typical Experience: Currently, the Eye Clinic at the Spokane VAMC sees approximately 15,000 patients per year. These patients are generally male with an average age of 66 years. The typical day in the clinic involves general exams, medical follow-ups, and medication review. Diagnosis and treatment of systemic/ocular disease make up the majority of the workload. 

Clinical Facilities: The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center of Spokane, Washington, is a modern facility. The clinic is spacious and well-equipped to serve both the veterans and the residency program’s needs. 

Specialty Areas at the Spokane VA Medical Center: Services for the Visually Impaired: The Spokane VAMC has one Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) coordinator, one Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist (BROS), and a part-time low vision optometrist. The resident will work with the visually impaired team to address the needs of the legally blind and those with low vision at the Spokane VAMC. 

Ophthalmology: Cataract surgery is a service available to veterans. The resident will be involved in the post-operative care. Residents can also observe surgery. 

Library and Research Resources: Residents are provided access to the library and computer databases of Pacific University. The library at the Spokane VAMC is available for use online by the resident twenty-four hours a day. 

Weekly Optometric Seminar: For 2 hours/week, the residents, interns, and staff meet for education. Presentations on patient care, literature review, or current treatments are discussed by all in attendance. Administration Time: The resident will be given administration time depending upon clinic availability. This time should be spent on research, review of charts, and study. 

Computer Access/Email/ Telephone Care: Every exam room in the Spokane VAMC Eye Clinic has a computer that will be available to the resident. There is also Internet access on every computer. The resident will be given an email address through the hospital and can choose to have another email address through the Internet access. Telephone care is handled by the optometry assistant and will be passed to the resident on emergent conditions. It will be the resident’s responsibility to consult with the Residency Supervisor on how the situation should be handled. 

Spokane Living 

Housing & Cost of Living: One-bedroom apartments in the Spokane area range in cost from $1,000-$1,300 per month. 

Commuting & Parking: The VAMC has ample parking for employees. Most employees drive, but there is also a bus transit system that comes directly to the VA. 

Recreation: Spokane is a small metropolitan city surrounded by diverse recreational opportunities and spectacular scenery. The 76 lakes and four major rivers within 50 miles of the city provide fishing, swimming, rafting, and waterskiing during the summer, while the surrounding mountains provide skiing and other sports during the winter. Downtown Spokane offers a collection of restaurants, shopping, parks and classic old buildings. 

Eligibility Criteria 

Candidates must earn the degree of Doctor of Optometry from a school or college of optometry accredited by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education before the starting date of the residency. 

Candidates must have passed the NBEO Part I and have taken Part II by the application deadline. The selected candidate must pass all parts before the start date of the residency. The selected candidate must be eligible for state licensure and obtain licensure in a State, Territory, or Commonwealth of the United States, or in the District of Columbia before the start date of the residency, or by October 1st of the residency year with prior approval by the sponsor and affiliate. 

Candidates must be citizens of the United States. 

It is the policy of the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center to provide equal opportunity in employment for all qualified persons; to prohibit discrimination for all qualified persons; to prohibit discrimination in employment because of race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability; to ensure that the workforce profile will clearly reflect a meaningful distribution and utilization of minority and female employees, and to provide for the prompt, fair and impartial consideration and disposition of complaints involving issues of discrimination on grounds of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or reprisal. 

Application Process 

Candidates must apply to this residency program through the Optometry Residency Match (ORMatch) online at https://natmatch.com/ormatch/. 

The application deadline is January 31. 

Call or email today 

For additional information about this residency opportunity, please contact: 

Len V. Koh, OD, Optometry Services - Eye Clinic 111 

Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center 

4815 N. Assembly St., Spokane, WA 99205 

| Len.Koh@va.gov

The Pharmacy program provides trainees with in-depth knowledge and practical experience in medication management. Trainees work closely with healthcare teams to ensure safe and effective pharmacotherapy for Veterans, enhancing their proficiency in clinical pharmacy practice.

Our Psychology program focuses on training future psychologists in both clinical and research settings. Trainees engage in evidence-based practices, including assessment, therapy, and intervention, to support the mental health and well-being of our Veterans.

The Social Work program offers trainees the opportunity to work with Veterans and their families, addressing a range of psychosocial issues. Trainees learn to develop and implement care plans, provide counseling, and connect Veterans with community resources, all while enhancing their clinical skills.

Are you interested in rotating at Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center?

At Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center, we offer valuable Without Compensation (WOC) academic experiences for health professions trainees. These opportunities provide hands-on experience and practical exposure in various clinical settings, fostering professional growth and development.

Trainees work alongside experienced VA healthcare professionals, gaining insight into the unique healthcare needs of Veterans. These academic experiences emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration, enhancing clinical skills and comprehensive patient care knowledge.

Our commitment to educational excellence ensures that WOC trainees receive mentorship and guidance, preparing them to become compassionate and competent healthcare professionals while contributing to the high-quality care provided to our Veterans.

Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center 

Academics and Research 

4815 N Assembly Street, Spokane, WA 99205 

Phone: (ext. 7054) 

Email: SPOAcademics@va.gov