Applying for a job at VA can be daunting. While vacancy announcements provide useful details about the position, a job seeker has to look at the big picture when considering a career change. Questions like “Will VA provide support for my education?” come up often, and the answers are just as important as salary and job duties.
Below are some frequently asked questions that job seekers have when applying for jobs at VA:
Q: Do I need to be licensed in the state that the VA facility is located?
A: Only one active, unrestricted license from any U.S. state or territory is all that is required to work in any of our facilities. When our employees decide to relocate, they can work at any location with a vacancy without losing benefits or getting a new license.
Q: What benefits does VA offer?
A: We offer a robust benefits package that is unmatched in the private sector. Learn more about our employment benefits.
Q: Does VA offer student loan repayment programs to health care professionals?
A: The Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP) repays up to $120,000 in education loans for newly appointed health care professionals in certain hard to fill occupations. Education loans must be used to pay for courses that directly lead to qualification for an appointed position.
Learn more about our education support programs.
Q: How much paid time off do health care professionals receive?
A: Our health care providers accrue 13 – 26 days paid annual leave, 13 days paid annual sick leave (unlimited carryover), and 10 paid federal holidays a year.
Q: How does VA determine salary for health care professionals?
A: When available, our salary information is included with each job posting. A Professional Standards Board usually determines your starting salary based on your experience and level of practice. For many health care positions, salaries are based on local pay scales and regional special salary rates. So, specific information maybe available from the recruiter in that area.
Q: Does VA incorporate Veterans preference into its health care professional hiring policies?
A: Yes. We are committed to hiring Veterans, and Veteran status is an important part of our selection process. Visit the Veterans page on the VA Careers website for more information.
Q: Do I have to be a Veteran to work at VA?
A: No. While we strive to hire Veterans, non-Veterans account for more than 60% of our workforce.
As always, VAcareers.va.gov is a great resource to learn more and apply for positions at VA.
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I have applied for a number of jobs at VA. I hold 3 degrees, have held a TS before, I am a VET; and yet it is impossible to get any sort of consideration. I am not expecting a hand out; however, it seems the process is tilted to those in the know or those who are already being considered for jobs at VA by inside sources. How can someone out side of the agency (a Vet) have a chance for a job, when it seems most applications go into a black hole, never to be seen again.
I would love to have the opportunity to help and care for the Veterans.