Department of Veterans Affairs
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The biggest reorganization effort in VA history is underway, says Secretary Bob McDonald. His reform plan includes hiring a Chief Customer Service Officer and imposing disciplinary action on more than 1,000 employees. And while some praise McDonald's quick and decisive actions, others are urging a different approach that gives the accused an opportunity to respond.
November 12, 2014 -
The government wants to go green and it's soliciting employee suggestions to help do it. It's a top-to-bottom effort though, as federal agencies also released their annual sustainability plans and the President announced a new GreenGov Symposium.
November 04, 2014 -
The NITP's Tammy Flanagan will discuss the best days to retire and Andy Medici with the Federal Times new problems at the VA, and the high cost of workers compensation. October 8, 2014
October 08, 2014 -
The Office of Special Counsel has persuaded the Veterans Affairs Department to settle with three whistleblowers from the Phoenix medical center. One is Paula Pedene, a former chief spokeswoman at the center. She blew the whistle about financial mismanagement by former leadership. Pedene is now a national program specialist in the Veterans Health Administration's Office of Communications. She joined Tom Temin on the Federal Drive to discuss what it's like to become a whistleblower and what got her through the ordeal.
October 07, 2014 -
Jennifer Mattingley, director of government affairs for Shaw Bransford and Roth will discuss job turnover in federal agencies, and Federal Times writer Andy Medici will talk about an increase in discrimination complaints in the federal government and the latest problem at the VA. October 1, 2014
October 01, 2014 -
The chairman of the Veterans Affairs subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations wrote a letter to Veterans Affairs Department Secretary Bob McDonald wanting more details on the actions it will take in light of the inspector general report involving the deputy chief procurement officer at the Veterans Health Administration and FedBid.
September 30, 2014 -
Dr. William Bauman and Ann Spungen of the Veterans Affairs Department have been working as a team to improve the quality of life of paralyzed veterans for nearly 25 years.
September 18, 2014 -
Can a national council in Washington improve labor relations on agencies' front lines?
September 17, 2014 -
As part of President Barack Obama's second term management agenda, agencies are testing new hiring authorities for technology experts and an industry-government exchange program. The Office of Management and Budget also worked with agencies to benchmark the cost effectiveness of back-office functions.
September 15, 2014 -
Veterans Affairs Secretary Bob McDonald has pledged to put veterans first at the department. Maureen Ellenberger is one of his warriors in the battle. As director of veterans relationship management at the Veterans Benefits Administration, she is trying to standardize the customer service that veterans receive and make sure their experiences are positive.
September 09, 2014 -
Robert McDonald, the new secretary of the Veterans Affairs Department, says the biggest thing he's learned over his first seven weeks on the job is that the organization he leads is too hierarchical and too insular. He's promising to build a "flatter" VA that encourages dissent.
September 09, 2014 -
The Veterans Affairs Department will release the Summary of Care and Blue Button applications for mobile devices this fall. The release is part of a burgeoning effort to create connections with patients outside of the traditional office visit.
September 03, 2014 -
In this week's edition of Inside the DoD Reporter's Notebook, Jared Serbu examines news and buzz in the Defense community that you might have missed including: DoD-VA medical record sharing still too slow; VA kicks off new drive to hire docs; DISA plans follow-on to Encore II contract
August 29, 2014 -
VA, which has been eyeing a replacement for its scheduling system long before the current scandal, plans to issue a final request for proposals by the end of next month and make an award by the end of the year.
August 25, 2014 -
Executive Editor Jason Miller looks at the news and information you may have missed or that slipped through the cracks at conferences, hearings and the like.
August 08, 2014