What will it take for VA to improve it's staffing problem?

Sgt Spencer Sikder — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 08:03:03 -0400

http://www.va.gov/oig/publications/report-summary.asp?id=3584

With the number of stories of extended wait times and high suicide rates, seeing the need for clinicians, particularly psychologists seems to have some correlation, what do you think?

Report Summary

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Sep 29 at 2015 8:17 AM

Sgt Tom Cunnally — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 08:17:41 -0400

Outstanding question that I discussed with the West Roxbury MA VA Administration Supervisor when I tried to transfer my medical file from Palo Alto CA. He told me it was next to impossible to fire anyone at the VA even though they were rude, crude and ignorant..

Earlier that AM I had my name called to show my DD214 & Medical Form to a VA Clerk who said to me " Ok now what is your problem?" and I said "I don't have a problem Ma'am just want to transfer my files to your VA Center"... so she said "Fill out this form and get back to me"....I filled out the forms and came back and she said " Can't you see I'm busy go sit down until I call you".... So I asked the Supervisor if I could have someone else help me because this clerk was having a bad day.. He told me he had been trying to get rid of her but that was impossible because she had been at the VA for a long time & he could not fire anyone for being bitch..But he did get another clerk to help with my paper transfer. And as I walked by the Bitchy Clerk I said "Have a nice day Ma'am" and she gave me a look that could kill

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Sep 29 at 2015 9:02 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 09:02:47 -0400

Sgt Spencer Sikder This is an excellent document, and shows that there is a need for a "billetized structure" akin to what the Services have.

Each of the Services have "Monitors" (Using USMC terminology) who know exactly where staffing shortfalls are within their primary MOS's and work with the Recruiting Command to correct said Shortfalls.

Based (solely) on this, we have indications of an HR recruitment & management issue. Does the Dept of VA (et al) handle their own HR or is it handled by OPM or some other Agency?

CC: COL Mikel J. Burroughs

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2015 9:12 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 09:12:32 -0400

Acctual Veterans working there, not bunch of college students that have no clue about anything in regards to Veterean Affairs.

Response by SGT David T. made Sep 29 at 2015 10:21 AM

SGT David T. — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 10:21:16 -0400

Money, a lot of money. 1st to hire new staff and 2nd to train managers.

Response by SPC James Mast made Sep 29 at 2015 1:57 PM

SPC James Mast — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 13:57:53 -0400

If you want to improve the VA then you need to get Politicians out of it.. You need to remove the leeches and the worthless individuals that prey on our lonely Veterans.. Make them accountable by real punishments, the VA should be the best treatment centers we can go to.. Not the scariest, not the deadliest, not the least friendly places we can go.. Make this a business that gets paid for doing the job well and right the first time..

Response by LTC David Haines made Sep 29 at 2015 8:48 PM

LTC David Haines — Tue, 29 Sep 2015 20:48:54 -0400

I have never had an issue with the care providers. The bureaucracy is the problem. The bureaucracy must be held accountable for poor performance (in customer service), negligence, and misconduct in doing their jobs. Until that happens, nothing will change.