VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support (CAREERS) Act of 2023

VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support (CAREERS) Act of 2023

This bill addresses Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) personnel matters and the training, recruitment, and retention of VA health care employees.

Among other requirements, the VA must

• expand various staff training efforts and programs;
• comply with certain notification and staffing requirements when a VA medical center director is on detail;
• prescribe a system of pay for individuals appointed as directors of medical centers and directors of Veterans Integrated Service Networks; and
• establish a consolidated annual leave account for certain VA employees with restored leave during 2020, 2021, and 2022.

The bill also

• authorizes the VA to waive pay limitations for employees of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) who are performing mission critical work;
• increases the maximum amount of incentive pay for pharmacist executives;
• modifies the special pay authority for nurse executives and the administration of pay for VA physicians, podiatrists, optometrists, and dentists;
• authorizes a waiver of certain licensure requirements for psychologists and mental health counselors in certain circumstances;
• requires the Inspector General of the VA to study and report on the use of direct hire authority, the contributions made by the use of such authority, and any vulnerabilities or inconsistencies with respect to the use of such authority;
• includes VA police officers as law enforcement officers for purposes of the federal retirement system; and
• requires the Government Accountability Office to report on human resources modernization conducted by the VHA.
  

The VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support (CAREERS) Act of 2023, also known as Bill 118 s 10, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress aimed at supporting and improving the workforce within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

The main goals of the CAREERS Act are to show appreciation for VA clinicians, recruit new talent, provide education and training opportunities, expand the workforce, and retain current employees. The bill recognizes the important role that VA clinicians play in providing quality care to our nation's veterans and seeks to address the challenges they face in their roles.

Specific provisions of the CAREERS Act include increasing funding for recruitment efforts, offering scholarships and loan repayment programs for individuals pursuing careers in VA healthcare, expanding training programs for current VA employees, and implementing initiatives to improve retention rates. Overall, the CAREERS Act aims to strengthen the VA workforce and ensure that veterans receive the high-quality care they deserve. It is an important piece of legislation that addresses key issues within the VA healthcare system and has the potential to make a positive impact on the lives of our nation's veterans.