I realize there aren't enough docs to take care of all the veterans, not my problem. I realize that they can't spend much time with you because of their caseload, again, not my problem.
What I find most frustrating is the 1 issue visit, where I sit in the waiting room trying to triage myself, so I can ask about what I think is the most important issue.
I am blessed in that I don't have many physical problems. I worry about our brothers and sisters who have a lot going on with their health and I am wondering if this 1 issue visit is happening at more than my VA.
Is there a shortage of doctors in the country? Or is there just a shortage of doctors in the VA? I am not a psychic, but even I could see at the beginning of the Afghanistan war that we were going to have a lot more veterans come into the system. Then the Iraq war and so I knew we would have even more.
So why at the beginning of the war did they not start hiring more doctors and training them up? Why didn't they hire more raters so by the time the war was over they would have the experience and training they needed to handle the caseload, which is so backlogged, it makes the news at least once a week lately.
The VA motto "To Care For Him Who Shall Have Borne The Battle And For His Widow, And His Orphan" Abraham Lincoln
Those are powerful words, of course they lose some of the power if you add 1 issue and 15 minutes at a time.
Perhaps this 1 issue 15 minute visit is just my VA, it's damn frustrating for many of our brothers and sisters.
I get that many that work at the VA think it's a thankless job and it is a difficult job, I'm onboard with that. But hey we are veterans we know all about thankless difficult jobs. So thhere ladies and gents is my two-cents.
1 comment:
Here's a little tid-bit of information along with a question and comments.
Question - Why is the open period for this position eight months long?
Does this mean if they found a qualified Psychiatrist within one month of the
post the job - that they have to wait out the whole eight months for additional
applicants?
Comment - Some of the hype they post to applicants sure doesn't ring true with the veterans.
"Unlike their private-sector counterparts, VA physicians are able to spend more clinical time caring for patients"
"Job Title:Staff Psychiatrist - Outpatient
Department:Department Of Veterans Affairs
Agency:Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Job Announcement Number:528D-12-106
SALARY RANGE: $97,987.00 to $195,000.00 / Per Year
OPEN PERIOD: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 to Sunday, September 30, 2012
SERIES & GRADE: VM-0602-15
POSITION INFORMATION: Full Time - Excepted Service Permanent
DUTY LOCATIONS: 1 vacancy(s) - Albany, NY United StatesView Map
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED: United States Citizens
JOB SUMMARY:
Full time Outpatient Psychiatrist position within the Stratton VAMC.
Vacancy Identification Number (VIN): 600222(Include on all documents)
'The Best Care' - It's more than a motto for VA.
It's a concept that we wholeheartedly embrace in practicing state-of-the-art medicine: the best care for our patients, the best care for our staff. The demands today on physicians are great.
That's why VA is committed to fostering a technologically advanced work environment for our physicians that is rewarding both professionally and personally.
Unlike their private-sector counterparts, VA physicians are able to spend more clinical time caring for patients and less time on administrative duties, thanks in part to our electronic medical record system.
VA physicians are also encouraged to take advantage of the many research and education opportunities available to them.
Consider a career as a VA physician and be rewarded by the essential role you'll play in helping VA keep the promise to those who served.
Recruitment Incentive: Authorized"
http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/308226600
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