Transitioning from military service to a civilian career comes with unique opportunities and challenges. At VA, we understand that perhaps better than any other employer.

That’s why hiring Veterans is a priority for us. And with National Hire a Vet Day coming up on July 25, we want to remind you and all Veterans that we value the special skills and perspectives that you bring to our work providing high-quality care to those who have served. It’s one of the reasons Glassdoor recently singled us out as a top employer of Veterans and their families.

Enjoy a benefits package with Veterans in mind

A total of 123,608 Veterans — more than 30 percent of the workforce — work at VA, according to the latest federal government data. And with good reason: We’re invested in providing our Veteran workforce with benefits that go beyond premium-paid health insurance and robust retirement plans. (Although we have those, too!)

You can become job-ready with access to VA’s one-on-one career counseling and vocational rehabilitation. Or put more money in your pocket by accessing VA’s education support programs that offer eligible employees tuition assistance, loan repayment, Veteran-focused scholarships and more.

You can get hired quicker by applying for VA’s many jobs with Veteran-hiring preferences and keep your skills sharp with access to professional development, mentorship and leadership training.

If you’re living with a service-related or other disability, VA wants you to apply. In fact, our goal is for 3 percent of new hires to be people with targeted disabilities.

If you choose to tell us that you are living with a disability when applying for a job, consider VA’s Schedule A fast-track hiring program. Once hired, VA’s policy is that everything — staff meetings, trainings, luncheons and conferences — must be fully accessible. VA offers tools and accommodations to help you succeed at work.

Use your military experience to care for other Veterans

We hire Veterans because your understanding of Veterans’ issues and shared experiences allow you to excel personally and professionally at VA.

Through the Transitioning Military Program, we highlight your pathway to well-paying careers tied to your military experiences. Intermediate Care Technicians Ryan White and Anthony Juarez, for instance, are part of VA’s crew of former basic medical technicians, combat medic specialists, basic hospital corpsmen or basic health services technicians who use skills learned in service to care for fellow Veterans. Veterans also serve as medical support assistants, mental health providers, nurses, physicians and other staff.

Discover other VA career benefits

Other benefits of a VA healthcare career include competitive pay, ability to apply military service time to a civil service pension, and the option to receive a pension and participate in a 401(k)-type retirement savings plan. Additional perks include:

  • With one active license, work at locations across the United States and the territories.
  • Care for your family with premium-support group health insurance.
  • Go mobile with telework options, transit support and, in some cases, child care subsidies.

 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.

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27 Comments

  1. Jimmy Russell August 8, 2019 at 13:05

    70% Service Connected….Tried to get on for 10 years in Mt.Vernon, MO. They don’t hire Veterans as they only hire friends and family members. New Clinic in Springfield needed new jobs to be filled….They got filled by friends and family and the jobs were posted for a week so only a few people could apply, not that it would have mattered. In the 15 years I’ve been going to those clinics, only 2 Veterans has been hired for the front desk jobs. And those 2 are related to folks that work there.

  2. Donna Odeneal July 28, 2019 at 15:54

    My husband has used Bhm Al VA hospital for many years. THe Drs are very good and thorough but 95% of clerks and other workers ride the clock all the time. I am a former office managers & I would never tolerate the inefficiency that abounds. It doesn’t matter what time if day but many, many if the same employees are either eating, looking for something to eat, playing games on their cells or just sitting in their behinds getting fatter! I bet that close to 75% are overweight. I do not see how a counselor and his staff need daily conferences with food provided for at least 2 hrs over day! THis hospital needs house cleaning! OF EMPLOYEES! If you need help better ask a vet for the employees will send you on a goose chase all over the hospital! The reason Vets cannot get the jobs available is the employees hire thei kids or neighbors, etc. Th is is not right! If I were head of VA& could not fire I would offer a job as far away as possible. This place needs a re-do! I have contemplated taking & sending photos to HEad if VA in DC. It is a place to go, enjoy the day, have fun and do as little as possible. If you need o
    Papers in a hurry don’t wait for them to mail them.Make a special trip. They have 30 days and will take almost every day befor they put the postage on it. I could go
    In for a week but this place is completely over staffed, clerks make about $30+ per her+benefits while private sector makes about $15 per her and certainly not a month of holidays + vacation days! We need to push for a change! And we are the only ones who can do it! Idiots make decisions who have never had a anatomy class ever. So when your benefits are reduced keep pushing. My husband is dying from Agent Orange & they have reduced his benefits many times & he has had cancer 3 times with chemo/rad all times. They don’t seem to realize the devastation if both AO & chem/rad and what it does to the body! As you can see I get mad just typing about it knowing that he is so close to being gone forever from this life! 8+ yrs of fighting and more problems all the time! Enough said! I hope some of you do read this post. Blessings and prayers to all of you for your service to our great country!

  3. Charles July 26, 2019 at 09:16

    I have been trying to get a job working at the VA for many years. I even spoke to someone who works in voc rehab. I was told that I don’t qualify because of my continue education progress “masters degree.” I explain the reason I have two masters degree is that I try to better my chances of getting a job. This is heartbreaking because you get rejected before even getting an opportunity to explain. Now, I hold a Ph.D. in education and still in the market of job possibilities. I really want to continue servicing my country and those you are transitioning back to society. I hope someone will be encouraged and don’t give up…

  4. Anton July 26, 2019 at 04:13

    I’m a Vet living overseas (Japan) in a civilian capacity …can I apply for a position at the VA?

  5. GG July 26, 2019 at 03:02

    I have also been trying to get a job with VA in Las Vegas; I live a few miles from the new hospital ; I apply for full and part-time jobs hoping that I can get my feet in the door. Someone should reallt take a look at their hiring practices.

  6. Francis H Napoleon July 25, 2019 at 23:31

    I hear you brothers. I have a BSN and nursing for 25+ years. I’ve had multiple interviews but no offers yet. I just got my disability status so will stop applying.

  7. Laura haines July 25, 2019 at 22:47

    This makes me not want to apply at all. I was considering leaving my current job.

  8. Jean Hepler July 25, 2019 at 21:41

    I tried to get help with just getting my meds. I have Medicare to manage doctors and hospitals. I was told the VA would not honor prescriptions written by my civilian doctors. I trust my doctors. Why should I start over.

  9. K D July 25, 2019 at 14:20

    I’m a retired Army Officer, Iraq/Afghanistan War Veteran, Registered Nurse, and soon-to-be Nurse Practitioner and I can’t get a job with the VA to save my life.

  10. Marc Furmanski July 25, 2019 at 13:17

    Interesting..Just left the VA in the ICU.. tolerated 6 months of BS..nothing matters on your Resume or CV and intra-transfers within the VA are a joke. Tried meeting the Chief Of Staff prior to my departure to no avail even though WE were both veterans. Tried and interviewed for 3 positions within the VA. I was the wrong demographic for all 3 jobs. Looking back I should of added another letter after my first name and identified as a woman trapped in a man’s body Bam>>Hired. Disgruntled in Mid Tennessee

    • At-aGlance observation July 25, 2019 at 13:59

      Why are there no African Americans represented in your picture? Sure, neither is there an Asian representation either, however, African Americans are more underrepresented and have higher rates of discrimination.

      • Patrick Praesel July 30, 2019 at 00:13

        I have to disagree with you. White men over 40 are the largest overlooked demographic population who have the most difficult time getting their foot in the door for employment with the VA due to the hire ratio preferences that are given to minorities over non minorities. Experience has little impact on being hired vs meeting their established preference standards that are the driving influences they must hired to keep within the status quo.

      • Yvonne Dent August 4, 2019 at 07:35

        Amen to that. My first observation. We served but this Country but our significance remain slim In this country.. You thought someone would strategically include one member from all ethnic group but this is the Country/World we live in. Keep on moving ahead because as “Minority”..we are slowing becoming “Majority” not by choice but demographics and those who believe “We are one people in Gods Creation”.. However, that’s a scare factor for many. Our
        Jamaican motto “Out of Many, One People”..stand strong for the world.
        Back to the hiring at the VA..I resigned over a year ago based on the same principle I just referenced in addition to having too many Non-Veterans dominating the VA. Many employees cannot relate to the patients, lack empathy with a mentality that “because you are a Veteran, you think we should give you everything”… No!!!.. not everything but what we deserve…

  11. Kirsten Delaney July 25, 2019 at 12:26

    I just quit after 4 years at the V.A. even trying to apply from the inside for a different job seems impossible. They just hired a ct scan tech he applied last April and didn’t start till this march.

  12. Sharon July 25, 2019 at 10:15

    I have been applying for the jobs at the va using my preference points and yet to get a job or a interview.The sad part is they hire friends ,family members, and non veterans before they hire veterans or disable veterans spouses.

    • nicholas July 25, 2019 at 11:49

      you are so right I have been trying to get a Job for years at the VA and every time Im told oh they are not taking the preferences points in account for this position and every time they Hire a friend, family member or doing a favor for someone and None service members I have work with 4 civilians and they all got hired at the VA over me. The VA’s Hiring practices need to be investigated .

  13. Tony July 25, 2019 at 07:47

    Wow…!
    I can’t believe what I’m reading here…!
    I’m a disabled Veteran and I’ve tossed around the idea of
    going to work as a Case Worker for the VA.
    I have my Bachelors of Science in Psychology degree and
    my Case Worker told me I should check into it and shouldn’t
    having any issues getting hired.
    Now I have to question all of that after reading the posts here…!
    Thank you for the heads up my Brothers and Sisters.
    Have a great day and be blessed.

  14. Ricardo Ochoa July 25, 2019 at 02:28

    I applied at the VA outpatient clinic in my community for RN position twice and was not selected. I’m a disabled veteran with 10 point preference and been a nurse for 10 years. I don’t know what else to do to.

  15. H. J. Holmes July 25, 2019 at 01:09

    The VA is a joke. When I was getting ready to retire I was treated like crap, I lost two job opportunities, and 10 days of terminal leave. Won’t get into it because it would take too long. Just prior to retiring I also saw a bunch of young soldiers coming back with sever mental illness. Guys I knew who were pretty intelligent could barely form a legible sentences upon return from Iraq. Upon retirement I pursued my Masters Degree in Counseling from University of Illinois, and meets all of the criteria, qualifications and certifications required by the VA. I worked my tale off, passed with a 3.88, received my state license and am nationally certified. I applied with the VA, sent in all documentation and never heard back. This is from a guy with a total of 36 years service in both Coast Guard and Army, 21 years Active Service and 15 years guard and reserve. I can understand stressors and situations of service members from both shipboard and land operations. It is because of this that I really question the commitment of the VA and their quest of mental health. I question everything about the VA. I do not even go to them for the meds of service connected issues, I use my wife’s insurance and pay the copays myself – $50 a month.

  16. Antwain Alexander July 25, 2019 at 00:53

    I am an 8 year Army veteran and a recent graduate from Physician Assistant school, and I tried several times in applying to various VA’s throughout the country and got turned down every time. One of the reasons I became a PA is to once again serve my country by caring for my fellow veterans and their families as a PA. It seems that it is very difficult to begin a career with the VA; despite performing a 3 month rotation at a local VA, and having an active duty spouse in the Army.

  17. Anteain Alexander July 25, 2019 at 00:52

    I am an 8 year Army veteran and a recent graduate from Physician Assistant school, and I tried several times in applying to various VA’s throughout the country and got turned down every time. One of the reasons I became a PA is to once again serve my country by caring for my fellow veterans and their families as a PA. It seems that it is very difficult to begin a career with the VA; despite performing a 3 month rotation at a local VA, and having an active duty spouse in the Army.

  18. George Gallant July 25, 2019 at 00:34

    I am so glad to see this happening and it is a far cry for my days in the Army for when I got out in 1971 and went to work and they found out I was in Vietnam they fired me.

  19. D. Green July 25, 2019 at 00:01

    The thought process for veterans working at the VA is good. Reality is the doesn’t care if veterans have jobs. They have all these programs and veteran reps but nothing never gets done. The VA post to many jobs for in house only and most of those are for people that have never served. The VA have more people that haven’t served working and not enough unemployed veterans that need jobs and it’s really a shame for a veteran that need a job can’t get hired.

  20. Bruce D Alston July 24, 2019 at 22:44

    Yeah, they had hire a vet going on all the time when I came back from Vietnam. 50 years later I’m still waiting for that phone call.

  21. Jeffrey Eagen July 24, 2019 at 22:33

    Takes too long to get word back to work for the Fed, the qualifications are over the top and applying feels like a waste of time because you’re not going to hear anything for months if at all. No room to grow into these jobs so if you’ve been out of the loop working in other public or commercial zones you’re not going to stand a chance.

  22. D t July 24, 2019 at 22:32

    VA dose not want to hire vets, especially any disabled vet. Have applied at my local va for over 10 years and not even a interview.

  23. Chad Childers July 24, 2019 at 12:28

    More veterans need to work at the VA. Vets have a better understanding of what other veterans are going through.

Comments are closed.

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