VA’s oncologists are physicians who specialize in providing cancer care for Veterans. These highly skilled professionals work alongside teams of health care providers to deliver personalized treatment, and to support Veterans and their families throughout their battles with cancer.
As we recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month throughout October, which follows on the heels of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in September, let’s take a look at the impact our oncologists can have not just in their home facility, but all across the nation.
National support
Our oncologists play a critical role in providing access to the latest technology and approaches to individualized care, and with the support of the National Oncology Program (NOP), we’re providing Veterans access to top-rated physicians and cancer care specialists nationwide.
With Systems of Excellence to address Veteran populations with specific needs, and a national infrastructure that uses best-in-class diagnostics, molecular testing, and clinical decision support tools, NOP is one of the nation’s largest integrated providers of oncology services.
To ensure that Veterans have easy access to reliable cancer prevention, detection, and treatment services, NOP employs a learning health care model that quickly transitions new knowledge into clinical practice and maximizes learning from clinical practice.
The result is improving the lives of Veterans with cancer through precision medicine by diagnosing and treating more than 56,000 Veterans annually.
With your expertise as an oncologist, you can be part of those successes.
Bridging distances
The Veterans we serve come from different ethnic backgrounds, regions of the country, genders, and physical abilities. Health care for these Veterans—including cancer treatment—is not one-size-fits-all, and finding the right treatment means breaking down barriers.
Some Veterans don’t live near a VA facility with cancer specialists. That’s why we’ve dedicated resources to the National TeleOncology service (NTO), which allows cancer care providers to reach Veterans regardless of where they’re located.
Through this service, oncologists like you can deliver screenings, diagnostics, and treatment for medical oncology, including rehabilitation and palliative care. Veterans who have limited access to specialty care can now receive treatment from an expert in their type of cancer without spending time, money, and energy traveling long distances.
In short, NTO ensures that Veterans get the care they need from expert oncologists like you, no matter where they live or what kind of battle they’re facing.
“In recent years, we’ve built an infrastructure at VA that provides comprehensive support to Veterans with cancer,” said Dr. Matthew Rettig, chief of hematology-oncology at the Greater Los Angeles VA. “Through VA’s National TeleOncology programs and virtual clinical trials, Veterans nationwide can access specialized expertise and therapies, regardless of their location.”
Unique opportunities
Working at VA as an oncologist is a unique opportunity—by joining the largest integrated health care system in the nation, our physicians have the chance to provide care that truly centers on what the Veteran needs and building a relationship of trust and support.
“There’s an appeal in what we offer in that we treat patients, not numbers,” explained James Marfield, associate director of VA’s National Recruitment Service. “Our work is about what the patient needs, not about the bottom line or what insurance will reimburse.”
What’s also unique are the employment benefits available to you with a job at VA.
- VA knows that your time is important, and we give you more of it by offering 13-26 days paid leave, as well as 13 sick days annually, 11 paid federal holidays each year, and 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
- When the time comes to retire, your finances will be secure. VA employees have access to the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), which allows you to tax-defer a portion of your income each year, similar to a 401(k).
- With Federal Employees Health Benefits, you can prepare for the unexpected and choose from a variety of plans that all cover preexisting conditions for you and your family. We’ll also help you prepare for what comes next with Federal Employees Group Life Insurance, which covers you and eligible family members.
All of this only adds to the greatest benefit of all: serving Veterans.
“VA offers an excellent opportunity to show our reverence for our national heroes while we offer our care, expertise, and talents in several different ways,” said Hussain Haideri, M.D., acting associate chief of staff for primary care in the VA Northern California Health Care System. “It’s more than rewarding in many ways.”
Work at VA
Many Veterans credit their success in the battle against cancer to the support VA provides. Add your expertise to our ranks and help ensure even more successes.
- LEARN more about VA’s National Oncology Program.
- EXPLORE the benefits available to physicians at VA.
- SEARCH for an opportunity near you.
