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In this issue:
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Dr. Lockridge represented the Phoenix VA Health Care System during 2022 Be Connected Mental Health Submit along with Northern and Southern Arizona VA Health Care Systems and the Arizona Department of Veterans Services. |
Congratulations to our newest 2022 School at Work (SAW) program graduates!
Our graduates participated in this six month program from April 06 – Sep 20, 2022. The goal of SAW program is for employees to gain education, provide resources to go to college, and prepare them for career advancement within the hospital and medical fields. The SAW program teaches computer skills, studying and writing skills, math and reading skills, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and career planning. This amazing training opportunity is available for FT PVAHCS employees in the grades GS-1 through GS-6. The SAW program is offered annually.
2022 SAW Program graduates:
• LaTonya Clay – Advanced Medical Support Assistant – Patient Call Center
• Monique Olgin - Advanced Medical Support Assistant – Radiology
• Valyrie Murray - Advanced Medical Support Assistant – Patient Call Center
• Jenteh Vampelt - Advanced Medical Support Assistant – Patient Call Center
• Gail Miller – Food Service Worker – Nutrition & Food Services
• Diondra Mccaa - Advanced Medical Support Assistant – Patient Call Center
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Congratulations to our newest 2022 Leadership Initiative Training for Employees (LITE) program graduates!
Our graduates participated in the six month program from Mar 24 - Sep 20, 2022. LITE incorporates six months of leadership, communication, and technical learning sessions to help develop staff both personally and professionally. The LITE program teaches participants leadership knowledge, skills, and abilities to enhance their potential contributions to the organization. It is a great forum for personal and professional development for FT PVAHCS employees in the grades of GS-6 through GS-10. The LITE program is offered annually.
2022 LITE Program graduates:
• Christopher Bain - Telehealth Technology Manager - Telehealth
• Katie Barrett - Dental Hygienist - Dental
• Kimberly Bundy - Program Support Assistant - Chronic Pain Wellness Ctr
• Myra Hofer - Lead Medical Support Assistant - Specialty Clinics
• Heidi Kirner - Lead Medical Support Assistant - (building 31)
• Keith Neal - Program Support Assistant - Clinical Informatics
• Lauri Serota Johnson - Optometry Health Tech supervisor - Optometry Clinic
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The Phoenix VA Health Care System supported the 9th Annual Glendale Stand Up for Veterans event this past weekend.
We showed up in full force with Eligibility and Enrollment, Community Care, HUD-VASH, Transition Assistance (Post-9/11 Military2VA), Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program and other resources to support our Veterans.
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 The Phoenix VA Health Care System will be holding a Hiring Fair on Saturday, October 22 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Phoenix 32nd Street VA Clinic located at 400 North 32nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008.
To attend the Hiring Fair, applicants must first apply to at least one of the job announcements listed below on USAJOBS. Applicants meeting minimum qualifications for VA employment will receive an invitation to RSVP for the Hiring Fair. We ask that all applicants complete the RSVP form to confirm their appointment at the Hiring Fair.
If potential job applicants attend the Hiring Fair without first applying for VA employment positions listed below on USAJOBS, we cannot guarantee an appointment at the Hiring Fair.
All VA employment candidates must check-in room 1B101. All attendees of the Hiring Fair must enter off 32nd Street and follow the signs that state “Applicant Parking”.
The Phoenix VA Health Care System is hiring for the following positions, directions to apply for the each of the position are in the links:
For questions about the Hiring Fair, please contact the Phoenix VA Health Care System Human Resources Department at V22StaffingSSUTeamE@va.gov
On July 6, 2022, the Department of Veterans Affairs issued a memorandum,
Electronic Delivery of Earnings and Leave Effective on Pay Date October 14, 2022, outlining the change of VA’s current practice of mailing paper copies of Earnings and Leave statements to employees in support of the Federal Government’s “Go Green” initiative.
The Financial Services Center requests that you email the infographic titled “VAFSC
Go-Green-Email 508” to all VA employees, produce copies and post the infographic
titled “VAFSC-Go-Green POST 508” on bulletin boards, break rooms and common areas.
Please reach out to our local payroll office with questions.
With the upcoming local elections, we wanted to make sure that all employees are aware of and are adhering to the Hatch Act. Here you can find some key points regarding social media for reference.
For more information view the Hatch Act handout. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to our ER/LR Team Jerry Collins or Kenneth Harper.
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Flu and COVID-19 vaccinations can keep you from getting sick this season and reduce the risk of being hospitalized. Getting a Flu and COVID-19 shot is especially important for people with health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Pregnant women and young children should also get a flu shot.
Getting vaccinated yourself may also protect people around you, including those who are more vulnerable to serious flu and COVID illness. Go to any VA facility and get your COVID booster adn Flu shot, or visit one of our community partners.
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Creating, updating and submitting policies and SOP's can seem a daunting task. QSI created the Policy/SOP Quick Guide that will graphically walk you step-by-step how to find the Word version of the document you need to edit, where to find the most up-to-date template (policy, SOP, or rescission memo), and how to submit your document for review and approval.
Contact Eric Flick at extension 3704 if you have any questions about this guide or the policy/SOP process.
Combined Federal Campaign (CFC)
Cause of the Week: Global Health
Week of September 26
Sub-causes:
Disease Treatment & Eradication; Persons with Disabilities; Vaccine Research & Administration; Refugees; Cancer Awareness / Treatment; Rehabilitation Programs
Here’s how you can help change the world:
• $10 protects a healthcare worker in Africa with a certified facemask, eye protection, and 5 pairs of sterile gloves.
• $25 restores vision for a patient with correctable blindness.
• $750 installs a solar-powered well to bring clean, safe water into a community without a sanitary water source.
(or use the “CFC Giving” mobile app)
You Can Be the Face of Change!
“The greatest wealth is health.” - Virgil
This years Combined Federal Campaign Coordinators are Dawn Walker-Brooks, Febe Lambe and Sharon Ojinaha.
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Click to view video
With the recent conclusion of the HID (White) cards use at the Phoenix 32nd St clinic, Physical Security has released the start of this video.
This video addresses how to obtain an employee PIV card, and then how to use the PIV to gain access through PACS controlled entry points.
With National PA Week on the horizon, the PVAHCS PA Group is seeking nominations for Catherine Yanni-Humbles PA of The Year Award.
The PA of The Year Award is presented annually to a PA in the Phoenix VA Health Care System, to recognize excellence in clinical care, research, teaching, and/or administrative contributions.
Eligible PAs include all full-time and part-time VA PAs and does not include staff who are contract or fee basis, or those who work without compensation (volunteers).
All hospital staff/employees are invited to nominate a PA who they feel has shown an exceptional degree of excellence and teamwork in the support of our veterans and fellow staff.
Criterion for award is 'excellence' in clinical care, research, teaching, and/or administrative contributions. Nominations should include the nominee’s name and a short paragraph as to why you think the PA is deserving and should provide specific examples to support your nomination.
All nominees will be placed on a ballot, and the members of the PA staff will be asked to vote. The winner will be selected by the 3rd week in September so the winner can be recognized in the Daily Dose during the PA Week (Oct 6-12) each year. The winner will receive a framed certificate, and recognition at the Quarterly Awards Ceremony by the Chief of Staff and VA Leadership.
Please send all nominations by COB on 9/30/22 to Jennifer.Wilson10@va.gov.
The Phoenix VA General Mental Health clinic, formerly known as Jade/Opal Clinic, has moved to the Phoenix 32nd Street Clinic, located at 400 N. 32nd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85008.
Mental Health services are located on the 2nd floor, and include General Mental Health scheduled appointments, Walk-in Clinic, and the PTSD Clinic. The old location on the first floor of the main hospital no longer provides walk-in services.
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If you submitted a request though Reproduction please make sure to pick up your products. Items not picked up by Friday, October 7 will be disposed of.
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September is National Food Safety Education Month!
There are four important core practices to follow to help reduce you risk of foodborne illnesses. Right now, there may be an invisible enemy ready to strike. He’s called BAC (bacteria) and he can make people sick. In fact, even though consumers can’t see BAC – or smell him, or feel him – he and millions more like him may already be invading food products, kitchen surfaces, knives and other utensils. But you have the power to Fight BAC! It's as easy as following these four practices:
Core Four Practice: Clean
Core Four Practice: Separate
Core Four Practice: Cook
Core Four Practice: Chill
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Prostate cancer is the second most common form of cancer in American men after skin cancer. This cancer mainly affects men over the age of 50. Every year more than 174,600 men are diagnosed and about 31,600 succumb to the disease. |
What are gynecological cancers, you ask? These are forms of cancers that affect the female reproductive system, including the cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vulva, and vagina. The fact that makes it essential to discuss gynecological cancers is that every woman is at risk and not all survive. |
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VHA-Office of Emergency Management (OEM) provides special funding for VAMC projects that enhance local emergency preparedness and response. Grant money is awarded through the Emergency Management Performance Improvement (EMPI) program.
Grant proposals may include but not limited to equipment, supplies, system resiliency, mitigation projects, or other project to support emergency preparedness capabilities improvement.
Some excluded items: Computers, Software, Vehicles, Clothing, Radios, Service Contracts, Multi-year Projects.
For criteria and more details contact Phoenix's Emergency Management Specialist, Eric Pieper via TEAMS, email or extension 5829.
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We are excited to announce that Battlefield Acupuncture has returned to the Phoenix VA Health Care System. This training is a 4-hour, hands-on, in-person training in the BFA ear acupuncture protocol and will be offered every 4th Monday of each month from 8 a.m. - noon at the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center.
This training is open to physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and RNs.
If you are interested in attending this training, please obtain approval from your supervisor and then sign up in TMS (VA 44256). The next class will be held on October 24.
Any questions please reach out to Kim Bundy.
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As we transition to using ePerformance this next fiscal year we want to start preparing our employees for using ePerformance. We will be provide more training for the employees as we get closer to October 1st, however please share the following videos. The ePerformance Home Page OCHCO | ePerformance - Home (sharepoint.com) has training documents and videos for every step of a performance plan. The below videos show the employee how to access ePerformance and start their specific type of performance plan.
Watch '0750/ECF Plan Creation for Employees - August 2021' | Microsoft Stream - How an employee on a 750 (for T5 non-supervisor) or ECF (all supervisors) will access ePerformance and review/comment on their performance plan.
Watch 'Nurse Proficiency for Employees -- monthly training session' | Microsoft Stream – The first step for the Nurse in ePerformance – accessing ePerformance and creating their self-assessment on their proficiency form.
Watch 'Clinical Proficiency for Employees - monthly training session' | Microsoft Stream – The first step for a Physician, Dentist, PA, CRNA, Podiatrist, Optometrist, Chiropractor, EFDA in ePerformance. How to access ePerformance and create their self-assessment.
The PVAHCS is looking for an Associate Director of Operations.
Open until 9/29/2022
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After years of hard work and dedication in the Radiology Department, Eric Reid is Retiring!
Come help celebrate his 29 years of service to the Veterans. We will be having cake and refreshments on September 29, 2022, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. on the 4th floor in conference room 4115, between 4A and 4B.
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Due to the Commuications Department staff shortage and increasing demand we are no longer taking email requests for Daily Dose submissions. If you have something for the Daily Dose please ensure you are submitting it through the Communications LEAF portal.
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