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VA steps up recruitment of mental health professionals

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted June 25, 2012

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The Veterans Health Administration plans to add about 1,600 mental health professionals and 300 support staff to help treat a growing number of veterans seeking care.

The aggressive national recruitment plan aims to improve recruitment and retention of psychiatrists and other mental health care professionals and speed the hiring process.

“The mental health and well-being of our brave men and women who have served the nation is the highest priority for this department,” Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki said in a June 11 announcement. “We must ensure that all veterans seeking mental health care have access to timely, responsive and high-quality care.”

The goal is to fill most of the positions within six months and have all positions filled by the second quarter of fiscal 2013. The VA’s existing mental health work force includes 20,590 professionals. More information is available on the VA careers website (link).

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2012/06/25/prbf0625.htm.

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