As you prepare for your coveted VA interview, you may be wondering what to expect. After all, you want to make the best impression and get to work serving Veterans right away.
We can help.
At VA, we use a performance-based interview (PBI) process. With these kinds of questions, we’re going to ask you to describe what you have done in a specific but broadly applicable situation. We’ll present a scenario and ask you to tell us what you did in that instance.
These questions typically start with “Tell me about a time when you…” and offer you the opportunity to fill in the blanks.
Answering these kinds of questions can be tricky, though, as you may find yourself offering more information than is warranted. Like any of us, when you start telling a story, you may have a tendency to wander off on a tangent, just following the train of thought until it brings you back to the heart of the story.
Don’t do that! Instead, keep your answers focused by explaining the “problem” you encountered, the “action” you took, and the “results” you experienced: PAR. Answering in this fashion allows you to keep your narrative on track and focused on the most pertinent information.
Work at VA
Take a deep dive into the VA interview process, including more about PBIs and the PAR answering method, at VA Careers.
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I am planning for a Patient Safety Workshop and a RCA training in April 2024. I have an old copy of a Stop The Line folder with a dvd and some other items inside. I am wondering if there is a newer version of this that I can get for my workshop and training? There will be approx 30 people, I don’t have a definite number at this time but will by March 8, 2024. Is this something you can help me with? I would like to provide the employees who are volunteering to be a front line staff member that champions for patient safety and RCA performance improvement. Any items you could provide would be helpful.
How can you do a inquiry into a full disclosure of all inclusive military records request and tribunal and incarceration records for having a BCD while serving in the military if I cannot get an answer to this question how can I get assistance by an advocate to help me obtain my records it was reported in the Detroit News on July 23rd 2023 that a doctor outside the VA reported abuse to Veterans at the Detroit VA hospital at the Detroit VA hospital and I would like to add that the Michigan Veterans Foundation and Southwest Solutions are contributors to harming my self and many others trying to get access to the VA hospital in Detroit Michigan Ed McDonough office wrote a letter to all veterans that they would get dignity and respect no matter what their particular situation could be please have an advocate General reach out to me to answer this question and help assist me in my future steps without being afraid for my life or feel threatened again please?
There are several avenues to pursue here. Many of which depend on more details.
These two questions below determine where you sue/file lawsuit, if you choose/are able, to file a lawsuit: (federal vs state vs local court). Before lawsuit you may have to go through other processes before being able to file in court.
Are these places you mention government agencies? State agencies? Private companies?
Would you be suing (if you sue) for over $25,000?
How long has it been since this happened to you and/or is it still going on/harming you?
Do you or have you ever worked for federal or state or any government (not including military)?
Have you been able to report it to anyone?
-anyone at all is helpful to list now: supervisors, other staff, non-VA staff, anyone with decision making power over this? Other people? Like friends family, any lawyers?
Make a timeline and list now . Keep tally of all contacts, calls, date/time and what was said.
You have been retaliated against which may be illegal especially in certain instances. This retaliation may fall under EEOC or PPP (prohibited personnel practices) or others and is a cause of action (rightful reason to sue).
Have you looked up and into Prohibited Personnel Practices by Federal Employees?
It’s a list of infractions/actions reportable to specific agency called OSC. Maybe OIG too, not sure.
How long has it been since this happened to you and/or is it still going on/harming you?
Some potential options:
1. False Claims Act (qui tam)
2. PPP to OSC. (maybe OIG too, not sure)
3. DOJ Civil Rights Division
4. Federal District Court – Yours is Eastern District Court of Michigan
5. State Court for Civiland/or other rights
6. EEOC/MSPB
7. Join lawsuit/other complaint processes as above against VA by doctor if he has filed. Can make class action, witness, corroborator, or added as interested party.
8. Small Claims court though I think suing fed government is automatically District Court (which is higher up than local Circuit Court which would be for small claims) (under 25k, traffic tickets and minor misdemeanors, etc)
List of options and links:
FOIA
Actual Law relating to bunch of your complaints, including FOIA specifically.
Title of Law:
Prohibited Personnel Practices, Disclosures of Information Evidencing Wrongdoing, FOIA, Production of Records or Testimony, Privacy Act, and Disability Regulations To Conform With Changes in Law and Filing Procedures and Other Technical Changes
Any behavior/actions/words by any Federal Employees that violates PPP and other laws is reportable to OSC:
(Hint: read the laws, not lawyers’ blogs about laws as they are often wrong/misleading). I believe non-employees can bring these but not completely sure on that aspect.
Request Access
False Claims Act (qui tam):
You can report a tort related to False Claims Act and qui tam prosecution:
False Claims Act or qui tam is initially confidential and requires lawyer BUT you get ~15-30% of all “winnings” in court. This has been up to millions of dollars just for the person bringing suit. It’s a hot new area.
The False Claims Act
Federal Filing Lawsuit:
United States District Court — Eastern Michigan District
https://www.mied.uscourts.gov/PDFFIles/HowToFileYourLawsuitHandbook.pdf
DOJ:
Contact the Civil Rights Division | Department of Justice
Complaint Form for OSC/PPP:
OSC Form-14 Prohibited Personnel Practice Form
State Complaint:
For Victims of Unlawful Discrimination
EEOC/MSPB:
If you’ve worked for federal government or other government agencies, may possibly have to/be able to file with EEOC or MSPB or OSC or you can do all 3 in certain cases.
https://www.eeoc.gov/how-file-charge-employment-discrimination
How do you get Notice to become a GS7 or if you work in a department that is a W2 get in when have credentials who would you speak to so notice for specific qualifications for the position
Why doesn’t the VA insurance trust the VA doctors why does a veteran have to travel hundreds of miles to get a TC q examination how many hundreds of thousands of dollars is the VA insurance spending to save a few dollars ?
It is sad that a veteran goes to war has a man’s brains pulled all over his body someone he spent 13 weeks in basic training with to get out make a claim and have to wait a year and go through so many different entities just to say I am damaged I am done I need help the Marine corps had to change his mind since I was in the service back in the 70s The hazing still goes on to this day when is the Marine corps going to take responsibility
Buy all means when go into the VA building Salute the photo of the President the claim you are a illegal allie. In the minority of the purple race front Planet GUTO. Immediate hire?
I’m considered a sensitive seven. I was told that either I work for or worked for the VA. Which is just not true. I am the Vietnam War Orphan/ Bertram as a dual beneficiary recipient, I qualify. I have never been paid above or under the table. I can tell you that I applied to Hampton and never got a call back that was on 2002. However, in 2016y VA REPRESNTATIVE filed a claim
that stolen valor identity theft and veteran is not in receipt of benefits/ Attn: privacy officer. I doubt you still have my application and resume on file but contact me at your earliest convenience.
if the pcp will keep notes and update the medical file with must current info and symptoms could provide valuable information. must c & p nurses or doctors don’t have all the documents ( only the info given by va if so ) to make informed decisions. ask the dr that did my sinusitis eval at debakey hospital at houston texas