Posted on Nov 26, 2019
Five highly valued skills Veterans bring to a career at VA
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As a member of the military, you spent years drilling, learning and perfecting occupational skills that draw on attributes of leadership, teamwork, innovation and more.
Veterans Month is a great time for newly transitioning service members or longtime Veterans to be reminded that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hires former service members not only because it’s the right idea but because it’s the smart idea. Here are five skills to highlight when applying for healthcare careers at Veterans Affairs:
1. Teamwork.
Great leaders know how to step back and be team players. Remind your interviewer or recruiter that you understand the level of communication, trust and responsibility needed to work effectively as a team. You and other Veterans bring a sense of camaraderie to your Veterans Affairs career and the mission to serve and care for fellow Veterans.
2. Innovation.
The U.S. military develops some of the most sophisticated technologies in the world. As military personnel, you may be the first to adopt many of these innovations, well before they make it to the civilian market. Let interviewers know that Veterans bring a high degree of technical skill and education to increasingly complex systems, a valuable asset when navigating cutting-edge healthcare technologies, building information systems that deliver benefits to Veterans and creating novel solutions to address challenges in the largest healthcare system in the country.
3. Resilience.
You perform your military job under some of the most stressful conditions imaginable. You’re trained to handle and cope with stress, a skill that translates to Veterans Affairs’ busy healthcare environment. Veterans Affairs’ crew of former basic medical technicians, combat medic specialists, basic hospital corpsmen or basic health services technicians use skills learned in service to care for fellow Veterans as Intermediate Care Technicians, for instance. Former military personnel are ideal colleagues for busy days when things don’t go as planned.
4. Problem solving.
Work in the military is often dynamic and unpredictable. Highlight for job interviewers your military-tested ability to think quickly in changing circumstances, create solutions to surmount obstacles and safely complete the mission.
5. Diversity.
During your service, you formed working relationships and friendships with fellow U.S. service members from many different backgrounds. In fact, the Veteran population is even more diverse than the U.S. population as a whole. Let your interviewer know if you speak another language or if part of your background would help you connect with Veteran patients in a special way that might set you apart from other candidates.
Choose a career at VA today
During Veterans Month and all year long, look ahead to a career based on giving back as a Veterans Affairs healthcare provider. Choose VA today.
Explore how to transition to a VA career here: https://rly.pt/TransitioningMilitary
Darren Sherrard is an Army Veteran who served for two decades and now puts his skills to work for VA as Associate Director for Recruitment Marketing. Darren leads the VA Careers Program, which is designed to attract high-quality healthcare personnel to work at VA.
Veterans Month is a great time for newly transitioning service members or longtime Veterans to be reminded that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hires former service members not only because it’s the right idea but because it’s the smart idea. Here are five skills to highlight when applying for healthcare careers at Veterans Affairs:
1. Teamwork.
Great leaders know how to step back and be team players. Remind your interviewer or recruiter that you understand the level of communication, trust and responsibility needed to work effectively as a team. You and other Veterans bring a sense of camaraderie to your Veterans Affairs career and the mission to serve and care for fellow Veterans.
2. Innovation.
The U.S. military develops some of the most sophisticated technologies in the world. As military personnel, you may be the first to adopt many of these innovations, well before they make it to the civilian market. Let interviewers know that Veterans bring a high degree of technical skill and education to increasingly complex systems, a valuable asset when navigating cutting-edge healthcare technologies, building information systems that deliver benefits to Veterans and creating novel solutions to address challenges in the largest healthcare system in the country.
3. Resilience.
You perform your military job under some of the most stressful conditions imaginable. You’re trained to handle and cope with stress, a skill that translates to Veterans Affairs’ busy healthcare environment. Veterans Affairs’ crew of former basic medical technicians, combat medic specialists, basic hospital corpsmen or basic health services technicians use skills learned in service to care for fellow Veterans as Intermediate Care Technicians, for instance. Former military personnel are ideal colleagues for busy days when things don’t go as planned.
4. Problem solving.
Work in the military is often dynamic and unpredictable. Highlight for job interviewers your military-tested ability to think quickly in changing circumstances, create solutions to surmount obstacles and safely complete the mission.
5. Diversity.
During your service, you formed working relationships and friendships with fellow U.S. service members from many different backgrounds. In fact, the Veteran population is even more diverse than the U.S. population as a whole. Let your interviewer know if you speak another language or if part of your background would help you connect with Veteran patients in a special way that might set you apart from other candidates.
Choose a career at VA today
During Veterans Month and all year long, look ahead to a career based on giving back as a Veterans Affairs healthcare provider. Choose VA today.
Explore how to transition to a VA career here: https://rly.pt/TransitioningMilitary
Darren Sherrard is an Army Veteran who served for two decades and now puts his skills to work for VA as Associate Director for Recruitment Marketing. Darren leads the VA Careers Program, which is designed to attract high-quality healthcare personnel to work at VA.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Transition
Jobs
Civilian Career
Edited 6 y ago
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 8
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has many good, talented people who go above and beyond for Veteran health care. It’s a shame that the negative stories tend to be the only ones that get picked up in the media.
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LCpl Gary Tobin
I have a lot of experience with V.A. health care. Unfortunately my experience is location is everything. The best and the worst. If you want some accountability there is a V.A. HOTLINE# [login to see] I got results positive results. Im learning to be more proactive, the squicky wheel gets the grease. And never give up. Here in Vermont the health care is exceptional.
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SSgt Glenn Martin
I Agree, I use the VA in Prescott Arizona and they treat me GREAT. I have Never had a problem with the healthcare I'm provided. I've been using them 14 years.
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Good luck getting on, they called me four years after I submitted an application.
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SP5 Melinda McPherson
Persistence my ---- My VA did NOT hire me because the last interview I had I didn't open my blouse for the interviewers or hike up my skirt. They hired someone for the position who was far less qualified than I was (she was a store clerk) and used the excuse that I "didn't bring (my) personality up enough during the interview". Also, I wasn't hired due to AGE DISCRIMINATION, for every interview they hired less qualified people because they were YOUNGER than me. The only way to get hired at VA is to have a family member who already works there.
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SP5 Melinda McPherson
Persistence my --- I was eminently more qualified for two positions I interviewed for (I was VRA eligible and should have been a direct hire but they made me interview competitively) but VA hired the other candidate because they were YOUNGER than me. The only way to get hired at the VA is to have a family member who already works there. I went through median and got nothing! I was told by the person who set up the mediation that they might just offer me a job in either food service or housekeeping. They said they didn't have ANY jobs. I had also been told I could ask for money so I did. I asked to be paid at WG9 for six years and got told that not even the director was authorized to pay that much. If that's the case who hired the chief of staff for over $200,000.00 a year? I asked for WG9 for six years, I DID NOT say I wanted a lump sum. Seems to me the woman who set up the median was obviously working with the median group so to give a veteran a tiny hope of getting something knowing full well they'd get nothing. Also, I HAVE NEVER been notified officially via letter that I was not hired. They owe me for lost wages!!! Their HR person doesn't do her job.
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GySgt James Neary
I had applied a dozen times for different positions. I finally asked somebody how to get hired on. Her answer: LIE. One application later, I was finally at the right place at the right time and was hired on as a Material Handler at the warehouse. Ironically, the same day, I was offered a part time position in Housekeeping (after interviewing for a full time position). I've since moved on to a different facility and a different position since my first application. don't give up.
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The VA is notorious for only bringing Vets onboard in low level positions. I tried and know others who've applied for positions they're over qualified for and get BS excuses to not even interview in many cases. I was told once that I didnt have the required degrees and the email stated that i couldn't respond. I logged in and my degree was right there with all my other documents. Another time they messaged me stated that i didnt have a bachelor's degree (again could see it) and that a masters doesn't count because it's not a bachelor's. Haha you cant get a masters without a bachelor's (which was submitted). The same thing was said in the email that the decision was final and I wasnt qualified. The VA is a civilian heavy union controlled agency. I was happy to see Trump fire thousands of them.
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PO1 Jackson Plant
It is not union controlled at all! Without the union the leaders world be firing vets all over with no regards for rights!
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CSM David Porterfield
PO1 Jackson Plant Good union answer. The Unions are part of the problem when people would never get fired or someone working at the VA was getting paid to work at the VA yet 100% of what they do is union business. Good thing that changed and what was it 2-3000 people let go from the VA in 2017. The VA is better now and the unions got reigned in but there are some hold outs. The VA was rated as having the best union a couple years back because no one ever got fired.
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Dear Congressman,
I am a medically-retired Veteran homeowner and it troubles and pains me with several complaints.
1) Extension for a Statue of Limitation, 6 March 2020 as a result, three law firms dismissing my case due to complexities. I have 5-inches case files in an email format from the first two legal teams. My USAA insurance company is months downrange, work-in-progress with the at-fault insurance company, as this victim of trauma suffers in pain. Help please.
2) A pro-bono 'Boutique' law firm referral as a result of 0-3 with difficulty finding legal representation. We agree boutique law firms gouge settlements and grandstand all at the expense of the client. Help please.
3) U. S. Post Complaint 02535682, endless complaints, after complaints not getting my Rx medications timely. "Postal worker has work restrictions coming up to my 3rd deck!" There's an elevator. The insensitive VA Pharmacist, "it's not my fault how your medications are delivered.” Thankful, many times, home-based Primary Care R.N. Case Manager would deliver my Rx Medications up to my front door.
4) Complaint against the LB VAMC Police, Patient Advocate and hospital Administrator with making a
crosswalk in-front of Building 150 unsafe, resulting with a motorist causing (physical, emotional, and
mental)Trauma, while hobbling in the middle of the crosswalk, en route to Physical Therapy, Anxiety and Depression Support Group, and Psychiatry appointments. The trauma has turned my life upside down, beginning with Primary Care Team Alpha not providing, and willfully knew my Rx Medications were not available in the pharmacy, resulting with intense suffering while hospitalized in St Mary's Trauma Unit. Medicare HMO GP staff doctors failure with not visiting me in the 1st week of hospitalization. If it were not suffering in St Mary's Catholic Hospital everything would be more horrifying experiences.
What justifies less than 2% National Average of Agoraphobia? My Agoraphobia is a result of one chronic injury, after another, resulting in a medical and honorable discharge, and the trauma accident was the nail in the coffin. After my discharge from the Trauma Unit, Primary Care Team Alpha assigns a Caregiver but it's the never ending problems with getting Rx medications. The insensitive VA Police CPT Paul Bellamy engaging with idiotic intimidation, character assassination, and the unprofessional juggernaut VA Police engaging in a 'War of Attrition.'
My mom retired as a Nurse Practitioner and some of her colleagues are in my medical team. A family long tradition in law enforcement. I served in two military branches and I was processing into the LAPD Academy.
The LB VAMC Police are nothing less than the finest example in Keystone Cops. My options, if I put my Agoraphobia in the closet, continue with LB VAMC, have a melt down, the VA Police easily puts me out of my misery, as a result my PTSD and thereafter no settlement, or maintain my Agoraphobia with VA home-based Primary Care, its scope of limitations in Post Trauma Care and zero
Medicare HMO Post Trauma Care. Fact, other than demonize Agoraphobia, it's provoked.The only thing trivial is staff motorist struck me. CPT Paul Bellamy left me with medical bills, tentative surgeries, endless suffering, etc. Have CPT Bellamy's pension pay for everything and strip him of his police badge. When, may I get back, training on my NordicTrack? Complaints egregious? The embarrassment, the stigma of Agoraphobia evolving daily with all the inconveniences, in the new normal world. Why, Is it given, there's solace and comfort with knowing their's always, medically-retired Veterans in worst condition? Empathy. Help please?
Lastly, "People with mental illnesses aren't wrapped up in themselves because they are intrinsically any more selfish than other people. Of course not. They are just feeling things that can't be ignored. Things that point the arrows inward." Matt Haig, Reasons to Stay Alive.
References: White House VA Hotline Complaint ###, VA IG Complaint ####, and attached letter from Brand New Day HMO dated 9 October 2019.
Cc: healthevet patient chart ###,
USAA Claim Adjuster Lauren T, Claim ####
Sincerely,
I am a medically-retired Veteran homeowner and it troubles and pains me with several complaints.
1) Extension for a Statue of Limitation, 6 March 2020 as a result, three law firms dismissing my case due to complexities. I have 5-inches case files in an email format from the first two legal teams. My USAA insurance company is months downrange, work-in-progress with the at-fault insurance company, as this victim of trauma suffers in pain. Help please.
2) A pro-bono 'Boutique' law firm referral as a result of 0-3 with difficulty finding legal representation. We agree boutique law firms gouge settlements and grandstand all at the expense of the client. Help please.
3) U. S. Post Complaint 02535682, endless complaints, after complaints not getting my Rx medications timely. "Postal worker has work restrictions coming up to my 3rd deck!" There's an elevator. The insensitive VA Pharmacist, "it's not my fault how your medications are delivered.” Thankful, many times, home-based Primary Care R.N. Case Manager would deliver my Rx Medications up to my front door.
4) Complaint against the LB VAMC Police, Patient Advocate and hospital Administrator with making a
crosswalk in-front of Building 150 unsafe, resulting with a motorist causing (physical, emotional, and
mental)Trauma, while hobbling in the middle of the crosswalk, en route to Physical Therapy, Anxiety and Depression Support Group, and Psychiatry appointments. The trauma has turned my life upside down, beginning with Primary Care Team Alpha not providing, and willfully knew my Rx Medications were not available in the pharmacy, resulting with intense suffering while hospitalized in St Mary's Trauma Unit. Medicare HMO GP staff doctors failure with not visiting me in the 1st week of hospitalization. If it were not suffering in St Mary's Catholic Hospital everything would be more horrifying experiences.
What justifies less than 2% National Average of Agoraphobia? My Agoraphobia is a result of one chronic injury, after another, resulting in a medical and honorable discharge, and the trauma accident was the nail in the coffin. After my discharge from the Trauma Unit, Primary Care Team Alpha assigns a Caregiver but it's the never ending problems with getting Rx medications. The insensitive VA Police CPT Paul Bellamy engaging with idiotic intimidation, character assassination, and the unprofessional juggernaut VA Police engaging in a 'War of Attrition.'
My mom retired as a Nurse Practitioner and some of her colleagues are in my medical team. A family long tradition in law enforcement. I served in two military branches and I was processing into the LAPD Academy.
The LB VAMC Police are nothing less than the finest example in Keystone Cops. My options, if I put my Agoraphobia in the closet, continue with LB VAMC, have a melt down, the VA Police easily puts me out of my misery, as a result my PTSD and thereafter no settlement, or maintain my Agoraphobia with VA home-based Primary Care, its scope of limitations in Post Trauma Care and zero
Medicare HMO Post Trauma Care. Fact, other than demonize Agoraphobia, it's provoked.The only thing trivial is staff motorist struck me. CPT Paul Bellamy left me with medical bills, tentative surgeries, endless suffering, etc. Have CPT Bellamy's pension pay for everything and strip him of his police badge. When, may I get back, training on my NordicTrack? Complaints egregious? The embarrassment, the stigma of Agoraphobia evolving daily with all the inconveniences, in the new normal world. Why, Is it given, there's solace and comfort with knowing their's always, medically-retired Veterans in worst condition? Empathy. Help please?
Lastly, "People with mental illnesses aren't wrapped up in themselves because they are intrinsically any more selfish than other people. Of course not. They are just feeling things that can't be ignored. Things that point the arrows inward." Matt Haig, Reasons to Stay Alive.
References: White House VA Hotline Complaint ###, VA IG Complaint ####, and attached letter from Brand New Day HMO dated 9 October 2019.
Cc: healthevet patient chart ###,
USAA Claim Adjuster Lauren T, Claim ####
Sincerely,
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Suspended Profile
The VA has lots of veterans that do an out standing job. Al though you have a few bad apples that think its a bother just to come to work and do their job as expected of them.
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It took me eight months to get through human resources constant having to re email the same documents over and over the top of the human resources. When I finally did get the job they low-balled me only to find out on feds Data Center that there were people that started two or three pay grades above me as a registered nurse who had family that work there that had no nursing experience me while I came from a level 1 trauma center with a year of experience. Within six months they wanted me to be charge nurse I was the lowest paid nurse in the Northport VA. You had other nurses making 1.5 times as many ICU nurses sitting on a one-to-one who would just have to watch one patient well I scrambled to take care of a 8 patients and be charged nurse. There is no accountability people get promoted instead of fired or written up when they fail to meet the bare minimum requirements of the job. I wanted up leaving after I was constantly harassed and nothing was done about it
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SPC Brian Saltzer
Sorry for the typos, I was using talk to text. I am extremely frustrated with the poor patient care.
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The Va in Northport is a toxic place to work. Its really sad that are veterans have to go to a hospital setting where the infrastructure is crumbling, condemned buildings leaking basements, mold in the operation room, Legionella disease in the water. What's even more egregious are the people who work there, I've never seen such a lazy and incompetent people. It starts with human resources
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SPC Nils Hammer
I had a 4 month gig at VA Pittsburgh and liked the people very much. Being in supply I got to visit many departments. HR, however, seems remote and foreign to me.
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SPC Brian Saltzer
Being in supply is very different than being an RN working with broken equipment, old charting system and incompetent workers.. Pt care always has to get completed and requires teamwork as acuity changes quickly. Nursing is not a one person job, it takes everyone from the housekeeper (emt) to the chief medical officer to ensure pt care is properly given. I am glad you had a good experience. Here in Northport 4 directors in 5 years. Reshuffling of poorly performing higher ups and classifying it as being strategic change not an accountability issue. I don't think that flys in the military. See how many times you show up late for formation. I am sure you will get many article 15s and more dire consequences. If workers can't show up to work on time. What type of ethic do you think they have during their shift.
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