When people think about what we do here at VA, they think about doctors, nurses, and all the people who provide immediate patient care. However, we wouldn’t serve our Veterans nearly as well without the dedicated administrative professionals who keep things flowing smoothly behind the scenes.
April 24 marks the celebration of National Administrative Professionals Day, and as we recognize the exemplary professionals who fill those roles here at VA, we also want to share the opportunities for you to bring your clerical expertise to VA.
From entry-level jobs to more complex roles, here are just a few careers you can find working in administration at VA.
Program support assistant
If you’re looking to get in on the ground floor of an administrative role, a program support assistant is the job for you. These roles act as an office’s jack-of-all-trades when it comes to clerical duties inside VA facilities like medical centers and program offices.
In this entry-level position, you’re responsible for everything from collecting data and organizing meetings to preparing presentations and taking notes. You serve in a critical support position for your department, making sure people know what they need to know and get where they need to be.
Secretary
Similar in scope to program support assistants, but filling a more personal role to high-level leaders, a secretary supports facility or departmental leadership. As a secretary, you are a liaison between the leadership and all the departments and clinics under their purview.
Your clerical skills will need to be on point as you offer administrative guidance to various departments, and also provide administrative support to leaders. In essence, you become the prime point of contact for leadership, helping them manage their valuable time.
Medical support assistant
If you want to work more directly with our Veterans (and who wouldn’t?) medical support assistants, greet Veteran patients, answer phones, schedule appointments and consults, help determine a clinic’s daily needs, verify and update insurance information, and more.
By handling these duties, medical support assistants ensure that day-to-day operations flow smoothly to the benefit of their teammates and, most importantly, our Veterans. You’re the smiling face of VA when it comes to our Veterans, and their visits wouldn’t be the same without you.
Health system specialist
A higher-level role that requires some experience, a health system specialist serves as point of contact for multiple departments, like administration, budget and finance, management and program analysis, office support services, document control, and logistics.
Since you’re responsible for advising management within these divisions, you become the glue that keeps a lot of different departments together. This is a role that can see the big picture, and can also serve as a stepping stone to leadership within VA.
Benefits that make a difference
As with any job at VA, you’ll be able to take advantage of numerous employment benefits that will change your outlook on work and life when you step into an administrative career.
We offer the choice of a variety of health plans, and all cover preexisting conditions. Additionally, we pay up to 75% of health premiums, a benefit that can continue into retirement, making our insurance some of the best you’ll find.
At VA, our employees receive 13 to 26 paid vacation/personal days, 13 sick days annually with no limit on accumulation, and 11 paid federal holidays each year, so your schedule can be balanced with your personal priorities.
And when you’re ready for a new challenge, we offer ongoing leadership development through every level of employment, whether it’s mandatory programs or competitive opportunities. We also have resources that make it easier for you to continue your education if you choose.
Work at VA
Celebrate your own version of National Administrative Professionals Day by applying for an administrative job at VA.
- WATCH our broadcast discussing administrative jobs.
- EXPLORE the benefits of a VA career.
- SEARCH for your administrative opportunity.
