I know it is pretty common for one to start in the VA and then jump to private practice once you get your footing. But is the opposite at all possible? Assuming you got some VA experience in internship / post doc then went to private practice, are you blacklisted from returning back?
Jumping from PP to VA
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Sanman
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Nope, I did it and several other staff members at my VA did it as well. Past VA experience is generally a plus as you know CPRS and VA culture. I don't think anyone is "blacklisted" unless you burned some bridges at the VA on your way out and are applying for a job at that same VA later.
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It's 100% possible.
However, some peculiarities with VA hiring can impact securing a job. For example, many positions may give some preference to current employees of that facility, current employees at that VISN (region), current federal employees, etc. Plus they will also have familiarity with VA processes and culture.
However, there are also VAs that typically can't hire or retain, often in less desirable areas where they'd be thrilled to hire anybody to help with backlog.
Lastly, some VAs tend to fill a lot positions with direct hires so you may never see those positions on USAJobs. The facility where I did my postdoc did a lot of inter-facility transfers for desirable openings and then will hire on postdocs for general openings.
However, some peculiarities with VA hiring can impact securing a job. For example, many positions may give some preference to current employees of that facility, current employees at that VISN (region), current federal employees, etc. Plus they will also have familiarity with VA processes and culture.
However, there are also VAs that typically can't hire or retain, often in less desirable areas where they'd be thrilled to hire anybody to help with backlog.
Lastly, some VAs tend to fill a lot positions with direct hires so you may never see those positions on USAJobs. The facility where I did my postdoc did a lot of inter-facility transfers for desirable openings and then will hire on postdocs for general openings.
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I think it might be difficult for a provider to go from PP to the VA just because of the bureaucracy and VA policy. There is a LOT less freedom (or so I'm told. I've never left the VA).
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Multiple psychologists in my system went from PP for much of their careers to VA. The main sticking point, other than adjusting to the bureaucracy (as cara mentioned), is getting HR to work with you on determining your incoming Step level based on your experience. And just waiting on HR to actually get through the hiring process.
Sanman
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This really depends on setting and payment model. In a cash outpatient office, many less headaches. However, dealing with Medicare compliance and insurance company approvals and audits as I did, I had just as much bureaucracy before (just a different kind) with higher productivity expectations. It could also be said I was working for the government either way given the proportion of medicare/medicaid.
