Central Texas Veterans Health Care System

Working at that VISN specifically, or just working for the VHA in general? Because I can answer for the latter.

For starters, I've been an intern in the 2210 series (IT Specialist) for just over a year now. I work at the Ann Arbor VAMC, Station 506. The Ann Arbor VAMC is one of the top 3 VA hospitals... so my opinion may be a little more optimistic than another VHA employee's. Now, with that said...

I love my job here. I say that with all honesty. My local shop is comprised almost entirely of veterans, including our senior OI&T leadership. The hospital itself is, I believe, staffed with 58% having served in uniform. Our hospital services a wide area, including most of lower Michigan and the Toledo area. Our medical team is comprised heavily of University of Michigan Health System staff, and specialty care is often run directly to the U of M hospital itself, which is right down the road (seriously, it's a 5 minute drive). We have top notch care and we make sure that our veterans are well cared for and happy with their service. How do I know? Because I'm not just an employee, I'm also a patient. I transferred my care here shortly after I got my position. And I've had nothing but great service, and have full confidence that my PACT and specialists are working to give me the best care possible.

What's more, I love doing my part to help ensure my fellow veterans receive the care they deserve. I may be IT, but the VA computer systems are vital to the success of a Veteran's Hospital. Our digital records system help ensure that vets can walk into any VAMC and receive competent care immediately, because their records are immediately accessible by any facility. But I also get to interact with them. I remember one lady that was here when I was still new to the job, sitting outside. She looked up and smiled wide and said hello, and I returned that greeting and wound up talking with her for a good 15 minutes. She was here hours before her appointment, and generally comes early just to talk with people and socialize. Sometimes, the best care we can give is a little social interaction.

Now, the other side. It's still government. And you'll have to deal with some of the standard government BS. Annual training. All computer based, all tracked, all has to be done right on time. All of it the same repetitive garbage you're used to. Slow computers. While the record system is great, the computers we use are the same standard lowest bidder, bottom basement dinosaurs that take 5 minutes to spin up (to be fair, part of that is due to encryption software). Red tape. The government runs on red tape, enough said there. So there's detractors wherever you are.

Bad stuff... where you have bureaucrats, you have corruption. VA's no different, and some VA facilities have some very real skeletons on the top floors. They are being rooted out, hopefully, but I wouldn't hold my breath that they will ever be gone until I start seeing firings that stick. Even with the latest bill to be passed, that hasn't happened. And unfortunately, the same rules that protect them also protect the bad apples throughout the rest of the floors. Easier to get rid of those, but it still takes time.

Even still, I come to work smiling and leave the same way. I enjoy it. I would highly recommend it if you have a serious consideration working for the VHA. I think you'll enjoy the experience.

I have had experience this past month interacting with the VA Veteran's First vendor program. I get the impression screws have been tightened and there are some good people trying to make a change. For me to help with the change, I need to get in there as a resorce.
Perhpas, your expertise as a MSgt can make change from within.
Thank you for your service to our country MSgt.
M. Morris RVT