Six careers that support geriatrics and extended care at VA

Recent estimates show that the number of Veterans eligible for nursing home care and home-based primary care is expected to double from 2 million to 4 million by 2039.

Right now, there are hundreds of jobs available for those looking to specialize in geriatrics and extended care, supporting those Veterans who need us the most. But, here are the six roles where you can do the most good.

Physician

For any physician, time with your patients is a priority, but one that might be considered a luxury in other systems. At VA, our physicians find that they’re able to deliver the highest quality health care in a time frame that works for Veterans and providers. That’s particularly important when it comes to geriatrics and extended care patients, who may have complex issues that need more attention.

Nurse

Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and nursing assistants all have a valuable role to play when it comes to treating Veterans in geriatrics and extended care programs. Nurses are the backbone of VA’s health system, particularly in geriatrics and extended care settings, where their time and attention can profoundly impact the everyday care these Veterans receive.

Psychiatrist

Geriatric psychiatrists bring unique expertise to our team. They focus on prevention, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders in the elderly. However, the key difference for geriatric professionals is their experience with older adults who have multiple medical issues and take multiple medications.

Pharmacist

At VA, our pharmacists are valued members of patient care teams that focus on Veteran wellness. As a part of that team, you’ll be able to make clinical decisions on behalf of your patients. In our system, you’ll receive the diagnosis from the doctor but write and fill a prescription based on a patient’s medication history and your expertise.

Occupational therapist

No other discipline measures the functional, physical and cognitive skills that make up the daily lives of our Veterans more than occupational therapy. These “occupations”—whether at home, school, the workplace, the community or elsewhere—can take on a number of forms, but no matter the arena, the work you do will help these Veterans reclaim control over their daily lives and help them feel whole.

Administration

Among the nonclinical roles that support our geriatrics and extended care programs, administrative positions provide clerical support, which includes resolving any staffing and human resources concerns that might arise. You’ll be the valuable organizer working behind the scenes to coordinate with departments and ensure that everyone has what they need to succeed.

Great teams deserve great benefits

Careers at VA come with an unparalleled benefits package that can make a huge difference in your life.

In addition to competitive pay, we know that your time is valuable to you, so we offer 13 to 26 days of paid annual leave, as well as 13 sick days annually with no limit on accumulation, and 11 paid federal holidays each year.

We can help you care for yourself and your family with Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), which allow you to choose from a variety of health plans that all cover preexisting conditions.

We also offer incentives for qualifying applicants, including recruitment bonuses, relocation bonuses and retention allowances, each providing up to 25% of the rate of basic pay.

Work at VA

Explore a career that’s sure to make a difference in the lives of Veterans. VA’s geriatrics and extended care programs nationwide are looking for qualified individuals like you to join our team.

• LEARN more about geriatrics and extended care programs at VA.
• WATCH our “Talk About It Tuesday” team discuss geriatrics careers.
• EXPLORE the top 10 reasons to work at VA.
• FIND the job for you at VAcareers.va.gov.