April Lopez has always wanted to work with Veterans. A medical technician and daughter of an Army Veteran, she is ready to fulfill her dream with a job offer from North Texas VA. To help Lopez and hundreds of other prospective professionals realize their dream in the near term, North Texas VA turned the event from words in an email to reality.

Woman job applicant in mask

April Lopez, medical technician

During the week of Nov. 14, VA conducted a nationwide Onboarding Surge Event to expedite selected candidates through the onboarding process. The event was focused on fast-tracking candidates’ onboarding experience by coordinating all required pre-employment actions into a single-day event.

“The hiring process can be challenging for many professionals who are looking to join VA,” said Dr. Latonia Arris, North Texas VA deputy associate director for Patient Care Services.

But, dozens of North Texas VA managers partnered with VA human resource professionals Nov. 14 to expedite the onboarding of at least 100 new team members. As part of a four-day event, North Texas VA will bring in the newly hired employees at Dallas VA to complete any necessary physicals, background checks and finger printing.

The goal is to complete any other needed human resource requirements to ensure the new hires are able to start work as soon as the next week.

“Streamlining the hiring process.”

“Through this onboarding surge, we are streamlining the hiring process and shortening the time between selection and hands-on care opportunities for this new group of passionate employees,” Arris said.

In the past, VA officials and would-be employees have criticized the historical federal hiring process for the lengthy time needed for credential checks, introductory paperwork and other pre-work requirements. Individuals could wait 90 days or more after being hired before they begin their duties.

“I’ve always wanted to live in North Texas and being able to accept my new position and begin work very soon thanks to an event like this really made me feel like I am joining a great organization,” said Lopez. She was among the first people in line on day one of the four-day surge onboarding event.

North Texas VA employs 6,500 and serves more than 205,000 Veterans in 40 counties in North Texas and Southeast Oklahoma.

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2 Comments

  1. Robert A Chapman November 23, 2022 at 21:52

    I am a retired Contracting Officer and held an unlimited warrant when I retired in 2007. Would like to return to gov job. Any opportunities at North Texas VA?

    Thanks
    Robert

  2. Harry November 23, 2022 at 12:41

    Lots of professional health care workers would like to work at a VA hospital. But they can not wait for the government to go through all the hiring crap that goes along with government service. Sometimes for a degred doctor it can take 6 months or longer before they are offered a job. Most can not wait that long for a paycheck. Instead, they can work just about anywhere else in the same capacity in less than a month. Thus, they go elsewhere for employment. Maybe this will help.

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