VA positions going unfilled or getting cancelled?

[DrGero]

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I have recently begun applying for Portland VA positions to transfer from my California VA job. I just got my first response back from one of the positions I applied for, the vaunted "Health Behavior Coordinator" position (which I really wanted) in Portland. I didn't get the job - but I wasn't rejected. The letter I got back told me that the job was "cancelled."

There's another position I'm aware of here at the Palo Alto system that also is vacant, and inexplicably will be "left unfilled" (a staff geropsychologist position at a VA geropsychiatric nursing home).

I'm starting to think the VA has been ordered to do some belt tightening.

 

[erg923]

My supervisors spoke of this when i was practicuming at my local VA in 2009. The build-up is over I think, and its seems the hiring has really started to slow for psychologists. Is this your take as well?

 

[O Gurl]

Yeah, I think the mental health hiring boom is coming to a close, but it appears the wind-down will first affect those specialties that saw the largest OEF/IEF growth, like trauma recovery, compensation and pension, and TBI neuopsychology. The number of behavioral medicine positions (particularly primary care mental health integration) may hold steady or even continue to increase for a brief period.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

There was funding put aside for 1 Behavioral Health Coordinator at each VA....whether it gets filled is a completely different matter. There are quite a few obstacles in the way to get a VA position.

1. A spot needs to be given.
2. It needs to be funded.
3. It needs to be "opened".
4. It needs to be recruited.
5. Enough people need to be interviewed.
6. A person needs to chosen/selected.
7. Background stuff / paperwork junk.
8. Then you get hired.

I've seen many positions stall out halfway through.

I'm surprised you are having issues as a gerry psychologist, they seem to be a lot of openings for them. TBI/Neuro are in demand too.

 

[O Gurl]

Yes, the Behavioral Health Coordinator positions are set aside, but also the Home Based Primary Care and Primary Care Mental Health Integration (all 3 of the brand new VA postdocs I learned of this week) positions seem to still be trickling out. 🙂

 

[DrGero]

My supervisors spoke of this when i was practicuming at my local VA in 2009. The build-up is over I think, and its seems the hiring has really started to slow for psychologists. Is this your take as well?

You know, I don't know. I'm really just focusing on my individual situation - but it occurs to me that there are at least three sociopolitical and economic factors that may militate against increased hiring for psychologists at the VA in the future. 1) the eventual nationwide rollout of masters-level counselors as psychotherapists at the VA; 2) the end of the massive binge of mental health hiring due to OIF / OEF; and 3) the fact that Republicans are in office, and the growing consensus that the deficit is out of control. I could be wrong about this.

 

[Existenz]

You know, I don't know. I'm really just focusing on my individual situation - but it occurs to me that there are at least three sociopolitical and economic factors that may militate against increased hiring for psychologists at the VA in the future. 1) the eventual nationwide rollout of masters-level counselors as psychotherapists at the VA; 2) the end of the massive binge of mental health hiring due to OIF / OEF; and 3) the fact that Republicans are in office, and the growing consensus that the deficit is out of control. I could be wrong about this.

so you're at a VA now, why the move just curious?

 

[DrGero]

so you're at a VA now, why the move just curious?

We've found we don't like the Bay Area. Not a great place to raise kids. And we both love Portland.