While salaries are important, good employment benefits are truly the building blocks of a great career. At VA, you’ll have access to a number of benefits that can set you up for success and help you make the most of your chosen career.
- Up to 26 days of paid leave, 13 sick days annually, and 11 paid federal holidays each year, as well as 12 weeks of parental leave
- Federal insurance programs and a variety of plans that all cover preexisting conditions, with 75% of health premiums paid by us
- 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 an automatic 1% government contribution
All that is in addition to our mission: “To fulfill President Lincoln’s promise to care for those who have served in our nation’s military and for their families, caregivers, and survivors.” Being of service is often cited among our employees as the best thing about working here.
Looking for more? VA has you covered. Check out these 4 lesser known but incredibly powerful benefits.
Learn to lead with ongoing career development
For employees in all phases of their career—from entry-level through senior leadership—the Institute for Learning, Education and Development (ILEAD) is here to assist with your journey within VA, providing training and development opportunities that will get you where you want to go.
ILEAD partners with program offices, field leaders, and stakeholders to grow a strong, steady pipeline of future leaders ready to fill critical roles. ILEAD supports our mission to care for Veterans by providing you with exceptional education and development throughout your career life cycle.
Explore options for groundbreaking research
VA has been at the forefront of research and development for decades. From pioneering tuberculosis research in the 1940s to exploring advanced robotic prosthetics today, you’ll have a chance to make new discoveries when you work at VA.
Thousands of studies are conducted at VA facilities each year. This research has significantly contributed to advancements in health care for Veterans, because we know health care isn’t just about treating patients, but also about finding new ways to help people feel better faster.
Research isn’t just limited to clinical fields either. With our Diffusion Marketplace, we offer a collaborative tool that allows everyone to share promising operational and strategic innovations throughout our system.
Reduce your student loan debt
A VA career gains you access to educational incentives, scholarships, and loan repayment programs that keep you at the top of your game.
- The Education Debt Reduction Program can provide student loan repayment of up to $200,000 for those who choose a health care career providing top-notch care to America’s Veterans.
- For physicians-in-training, the Specialty Education Loan Repayment Program (SELRP) can provide $40,000 each year, up to a maximum of $160,000.
- Our Health Professional Scholarship Program (HPSP) awards scholarships to students receiving education/training in a health care services discipline.
And that’s just a sample. There are plenty more scholarship opportunities to explore through VA.
Find support from allies nationwide
VA is the largest health care provider in the country, with over 1,300 facilities across all 50 states, the District of Columbia and even some U.S territories. No matter your role, we provide a network of resources unmatched in any other arena of health care.
“We have national working groups that offer almost limitless peer support,” Marfield explained. “If you’re a physician, you’ve got a limitless number of physicians and other clinicians out there you can lean on for advice or input, fellow civil servants who are all here for the same reasons you are. You can’t get that kind of support anywhere else.”
Work at VA
Ready to make the most of your career? Take a closer look at what we offer.
- EXPLORE all the benefits we offer.
- LEARN more about applying to VA.
- FIND job openings near you.
