To ensure that we continue to provide quality care for our Nation’s Veterans, it is critical that we attract top health care talent, and one of the ways we can do so is by establishing more competitive salaries for the best and brightest in healthcare.
On Wednesday, September 17, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced it will publish a notification in the Federal Register which increases the maximum rates of annual pay for in-coming Veterans Health Administration (VHA) physicians and dentists. This includes a proposed pay increase of $20,000 to $35,000 annually.
“At VA, we have a noble and inspiring mission – to serve Veterans, their survivors and dependents. There is no higher calling,” said VA Secretary Robert McDonald recently. “We are committed to hiring more medical professionals across the country to better serve Veterans and expand their access to timely, high-quality care.”
This proposed increase in pay is just one aspect of the recruiting initiative that Secretary McDonald has directed to bring the best and brightest health care professionals to VA.
Additional steps include:
- Collaborating on a new nursing academic partnership (VA Nursing Academic Partnerships or VANAP) focused on psychiatric and mental health care to build stronger, mutually beneficial relationships between nursing schools and VA facilities.
- Partnering with the Department of Defense Health Affairs, Army, Navy, and Air Force to improve recruitment of recently or soon to be discharged health care professionals.
- Expanding a pilot program to bring combat medics and corpsmen in to VA facilities as clinicians
- Improving the credentialing process for VA and DoD health care providers, which will involve sharing credentials to speed up the process.
- Expanding the loan repayment program, as included in the recently passed Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act.
If you’re a health care professional who has a passion for serving Veterans, visit vacareers.va.gov to learn more and apply today.
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