From diagnosing and treating patients in high-pressure situations to working with complex medical technology, former military healthcare workers are uniquely equipped to care for others. While these skills make an incredible asset to the civilian medical field, at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, it takes on even more meaning. VA has careers, tied to specialized skillsets, where former military healthcare workers can heal and care for fellow Veterans.
People trained in the healthcare field are in high demand all across the country. But VA understands Veterans perhaps better than any other employer. It’s why VA goes beyond offering premium-paid health insurance and robust retirement plans. Veterans employed by VA enjoy education support through Veteran-focused scholarships, professional development opportunities and special accommodations to make the workplace fully accessible.
These six VA healthcare jobs are perfect for former military members.
After active duty, it may be difficult to find a civilian healthcare position that allows you to apply military training without additional licenses and credentials. But through VA’s ICT program, former military medics and corpsmen can work as healthcare providers at VA medical centers (VAMCs) and continue their medical training, skills and career.
Although emergency room positions are highest in demand, ICTs are also needed in mental health, geriatrics, primary care and surgical services.
Professionals working as Health Technicians at VA provide diagnostic support duties and medical assistance to VAMCs and specialty clinics. In an emergency setting, many of the duties performed by this role mirror that of a paramedic and align closely with the experiences of military corpsmen.
Nurses play a crucial role at VA. They work across disciplines and treatment settings with a medical team to provide integrated care for Veterans under their watch. Day in and day out, they make a difference in the lives of Veterans and their families through their patience, empathy and care.
Nurses can start a post-military career at VA as a Nursing Assistant and take advantage of the special education support programs VA offers to earn the degrees and certifications necessary to become a Licensed Practical Nurse or a Registered Nurse.
Physician assistants provide primary care and preventative care as part of a medical team that includes nurses, physicians and surgeons. A physician assistant examines patients, offers diagnoses of conditions and provides treatment for Veterans at VA under the supervision of a physician.
With access to cutting-edge technology and pioneering research opportunities, physicians at VA lead the charge in Veteran care. Their work includes primary care services and specialty medicine. Physicians at VA are given great latitude to develop solutions that improve patient outcomes. Physicians have special insight into VA’s patients and can thrive in this environment.
At VA, physical therapists make a huge impact in Veterans’ quality of life. They increase mobility, reduce pain and restore independence through physical rehabilitation, wellness plans and fitness programs. Physical therapists help Veterans understand their injuries so they can enjoy mobility benefits, long-term health and a high quality of life.
Choose VA today
A VA career offers you the chance to start your next mission serving and caring for fellow Veterans. See if a career with VA is right for you.
- LEARN about post-military VA careers in the transitioning military flyer (pdf).
- EXPLORE how to transition to a VA career.
- SEARCH VA careers at VAcareers.va.gov.
- REACH a recruiter at VAcareers@va.gov.
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Whether it’s access to the great outdoors or a calmer pace in your everyday life, you can find it in rural VA communities around the country.
If you’re looking for an opportunity to provide care to Veterans outside a traditional clinical setting, Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) is a great option.
A key part of your job search is finding the right fit for you and your skills, and workplace culture can impact that dramatically.
I am a veteran and a retired teacher. I don’t need any points as I do enjoy my retirement. However, I would love to volunteer to help my brothers and sisters. Please contact me for a couple of days a week.
Yes, same thing here in the Portland, OR metro area and Vancouver WA. They want everyone to apply online when there is other ways of getting Veterans hired, like VRA, Direct Appointments and Non-competitive Appointments. They have no one that takes the charge on the Veterans program and they could care less.
Do you know that physicians that are veterans and apply to residency programs in the VA hospitals have no preference over non-Veteran applicants?
It is shameful that in our hospitals we are not preferred in these programs over Non-Veterans.
This is something that they should and can correct. I was told twice that they don’t really care if I’m a veteran or what I have done for my country they only want the best grades. And these were their contextual words.
So! How can I start the process into one of these programs, without the necessary credentials? Specifically, the ICT position!
Trying to get a job as a veteran within the VA or other Federal agencies is next to impossible, even when you have the credentials. However, I did get one interview but wasn’t selected. My suspicion for not getting the Motor Vehicle Operators position (which I am highly qualified for) is due to the Union organization that is in power over our federal government. This is discrimination against a person’s status. It’s all hype Veteran’s!
Nonsense. I interviewed at the Asheville, NC VA and was asked if I could be any kind of animal, what would it be? The care I receive at VA has me waiting since February of this year for knee arthroscopic surgery. Doctors won’t return calls, and even staff in the Director’s office gives bad and conflicting information. Pathetic system with the most pathetic people. Go out and find yourselves a job where you actually care about someone. Leave the veterans’ care to someone who REALLY WANTS TO DO IT INSTEAD OF JUST BEING THERE FOR THE PERKS.
Thank you for sharing. I’m on my way to serve as a Physical Therapist in WA. I have obtained BS-Kinesiology while I’m serving Active. At this time, I’m looking for mentors or anyone who can share some advice. Thank you in advance and looking forward to learning from you. VR Anton
I see the VA advertising how much Veterans are able to get jobs with the VA over and over again. Really? I’ve been trying and applying for over ten years and I’ve only gotten three referrals to the Selecting Officials and had one interview. So, do tell me, how this works? It must be a special geographical area’s that doesn’t exist in the real world, because even Mr. Sitterly cannot give me a plausible explanation on any of this. It is just more of the same rhetoric, “Veterans, apply to the VA and work with your fellow veterans,” except in certain jobs: housekeeping and janitorial, oh and the cantina, but don’t think we want you in healthcare or IT…
With your 6 choices for jobs in the healthcare field you undoubtedly forgot Occupational Therapy and it’s importance to the recovery of many an injured serviceman or woman. Being an Occupational Therapist or an Occupational Therapy Assistant can be very rewarding.
I’m a USMC Vietnam Veteran and a COTA.
– Muito bom poder contar com uma grande equipe médica.Obrigado pelotrabalho de todos…
waw! wonderful