When we created the Technical Career Field (TCF) trainee program, one of our largest training opportunities, we did it because we know that every position plays a critical role in delivering the best care possible for Veterans.
For those of us who want to be of service to Veterans but aren’t medical professionals, the TCF program is a great path to an engaging and meaningful career with VA.
TCF fields we offer
Our TCF trainee programs span a wide variety of career fields and offer experience in positions that are critical to safe and consistent operations at our facilities. While our medical providers serve Veterans directly, the work we’ll train you to do will handle the behind-the-scenes business that makes providing that care possible.
Not sure where to begin? Here are just a few of the professions you can get started in as a TCF trainee:
- Medical supply technician: Join our sterile processing services to ensure reusable medical devices are safely processed and maintained. Grow your knowledge of sterile processing policies and procedures while contributing to positive Veteran care outcomes.
- Environmental management: Help our facilities provide a clean, healing environment that’s safe for Veterans and their families. Oversee program functions such as waste management and interior design to ensure we adhere to regulatory requirements.
- Contracting specialist: Work in our Procurement and Logistics Office to acquire critical goods and services for VA facilities. Make strategic and innovative business decisions to procure medical supplies, prosthetics, high-tech equipment, and other items.
While the full list of available TCF programs changes every year, we’ve previously announced openings for over 20 different fields. If you know a nonclinical role in Veteran care is your calling, there’s a good chance a TCF opportunity will come along that fits your professional interests.
The work you’ll do
TCF trainee programs are national workforce development courses designed to recruit critically needed technical staff. These positions function like apprenticeships, offering the intensive training required for certain, specialized VA career paths over the course of 2 years.
As a TCF trainee, you’ll work full-time at a VA facility, undergoing education according to our formal training plan for your career field. Handling your training will be a preceptor—a mentor to supervise you, coach you, and help guide you through the program.
At the start of your training, you’ll work at VA in a GS-5 position, though over the course of your 2-year development, you may be able to acquire the skills and training necessary to qualify for a GS-11 or GS-12 position.
The rewards you’ll earn
When your 2 years are finished, we’ll work to place you in the facility where you interned or in another VA facility that needs your skills. After all, you’ll now have a valuable combination of formal training and on-the-job experience that make you invaluable to our operations.
In addition to the satisfaction of being all about Veterans, your new career will offer incredible employment benefits that make an enormous difference for you and your loved ones.
We know that your time is valuable to you, so we offer up to 49 days of paid time off each year that are spread across vacation, sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
We’ll also help you care for yourself and your family with Federal Employees Health Benefits, which allow you to choose from a variety of health plans that all cover preexisting conditions.
And when you’re ready to take your career to new heights, we can provide leadership development and education support through every level of your employment.
Start your search
We offer a designated number of TCF trainee positions each year. Positions are posted from March through August, though not every field may offer TCF training every year.
There is no set date for job announcements at all locations. Furthermore, open positions and locations can change each year, so it is critically important to search the available job postings to see if, where, and when your field of interest is accepting applications.
If your field is available, and you are accepted into the program, you may start working as early as the last pay period in May and no later than the last pay period in September.
Work at VA
As a TCF trainee, you can get critical, on-the-job experience in your career field and begin a meaningful career at VA at the same time.
- LEARN more about the TCF trainee program.
- READ about the employment benefits of a job at VA.
- SEARCH for available TCF opportunities.
