VA Health Administration Career Qualifications: What Skills Are in Demand?

Working with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) can be a rewarding opportunity filled with exciting challenges and the unique ability to show your support for our nation’s veterans. Naturally, the organization seeks to employ only the most qualified individuals who can help provide the highest quality of care to veterans nationwide, so it’s essential to set yourself apart from other applicants as a skilled and dependable candidate.

Specific skills and qualifications are necessary for any VA administrative and support career field, while others will help you better stand out in the applicant pool. If you understand the unique job requirements of the VHA and the skills you’ll need for success, you’ll have a better chance of securing a position as a VA administrator.

VHA Overview

The VHA is a vital member of the medical community. In fact, the organization is the largest integrated healthcare system in the U.S. As part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the VHA administers and operates over 1,200 healthcare facilities across the country, including VA Medical Centers and outpatient clinics. Over 7.9 million veterans and their family members are enrolled in the system, and over 6 million of these individuals receive treatment from the VHA every year.

The VHA provides Veterans with a wide range of traditional services, including surgery, mental health, radiology, physical therapy and more. They also offer additional specialty services, such as vision care, dental, prosthetics, oncology, dermatology and speech pathology.

VA Administration Careers and Qualifications

Overall, VA administrative professionals work to keep the VHA running smoothly. As a VA administrator, you’ll oversee a range of issues, such as accessing financial records and making sure that all medical records can be easily located.

Numerous careers as a VA professional are available across the country, and each comes with different responsibilities and qualification requirements. VA administrative and support careers include:

• Accounting
• Administrative
• Business
• Contracting
• Finance
• Support services
• Information systems
• Information technology
• Human resources
  

No matter which you choose, VA administrators and support professionals need to pass certain screenings and meet specific minimum qualifications during the application process, including:

• U.S. citizenship:

  Typically, all applicants should be American citizens. However, non-citizens can be appointed on a temporary basis if no citizen is available to fill the position.

• Personal interview:

  A hiring manager will conduct a personal interview to learn more about your skills, education, past work experience and other necessary qualifications.

• English language proficiency:

  All applicants must display competence in both written and spoken English.

• Physical examination:

  You’ll have to undergo a physical exam to determine your fitness and ability to perform required tasks.

• Possible drug screening:

  The VA is a drug-free workplace, and the use of illegal substances will disqualify you from a VA position.

VA Administrator Qualities and Skills in Demand

As with any government position, VA hiring managers look for a variety of personal qualities when filling a VA administrative or support role. Showcase the following attributes on your resume and during your interview using specific examples for a higher chance of success:

• Independence and ability to be a self-starter
  
• Multi-tasking ability
  
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
  
• Competence meeting deadlines

Along with these qualities, certain skills are necessary to perform the duties of an administrator or support professional. Necessary VA administrator skills include:

• Computer skills:

  The role of any administrative or support professional is dependent on the use of technology to enhance and support professional development. The VA often uses computer-based networking, teleconferences, online training sessions and other computer programs, so proficient computer skills are a must-have.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills:

  You’ll often need to communicate with both patients and other staff members, so exceptional communication and English language skills are required. Make sure your resume demonstrates your written communication skills, and be prepared to highlight your verbal communication abilities during your interview.

• Comprehensive knowledge of a full range of administrative laws, policies, regulations and precedents:
  

  Knowledge of various laws and policies — particularly those affecting veterans — is crucial to job performance as a VA administrator. Previous work experience or a degree in a related field is helpful in showcasing this knowledge.

• Understanding of inter-relationship of healthcare support functions and operations:
  

  You’ll generally be responsible for understanding various healthcare operations, so an applicant with experience in accounts receivable management, billing and health information management is preferred.

Contact SES Resume Writers for VA Administrator Resume Services

If you’re interested in securing a position in the VHA, you’ll need a resume that highlights your unique skill set and sets you apart from other applicants. At SES Resume Writers, we have over 25 years of experience in crafting professional resumes that have helped thousands of people just like you secure their dream job.

Contact us today for more information or to receive a free quote and consultation.