Uncle Sam Calls Upon Retired Health Care Workers During COVID-19

To boost health care workers in both the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the federal government is offering special incentives.

At DoD Lt. Gen. Thomas Seamands, deputy chief of staff for U.S. Army Personnel, sent out a letter to retirees.  In it, he is asking troops with service in specific health care specialties to consider “re-joining the team” to address the current pandemic crisis.

“These extraordinary challenges require equally extraordinary solutions, and that’s why we’re turning to you — trusted professionals capable of operating under constantly changing conditions,” he said. “When the Nation called — you answered, and now, that call may come again.”

There are several specific military occupation series they are looking for, and you can find the full announcement online via the Human Resources Command, Reserve Personnel Management Directorate, at www.usarmy.knox.hrc.mbx.g3-retiree-recall@mail.mil or call 502-613-4911.

Over at (VA), the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) put into effect a waiver making it easier to rehire retired VA health care workers.  They hope it will bolster health care facilities and their medical staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

VA is primarily looking for health care providers with interest and expertise in:

  • Tele/virtual care
  • Travel Nurse Corps
  • Direct patient care/support (at a VA medical center or outpatient clinic)

As a reemployed annuitant, the “rehires” will receive their Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) annuities, as well as a paycheck as a federal employee.  You can find out more about this initiative online at https://jobs.kontactintelligence.com/VeteranAdmin/Apply?170d70b8b2ff2c02999be209277e8faf.

Both entities caution they’re not looking for those currently working in the private sector, thus the emphasis on “retirees.”

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