Combat Veterans seeking Mental Health Care

By Darren Sherrard January 29th, 2013 at 9:40 am

1-877-WAR-VETS 

 

 

 

 

With stories about our active military not seeking care, that leaves the door wide open for Veterans that need mental health care after their service. I spent 20 years in the US Army and am well aware of the stigma of seeking care can bring. For me, it was not only mental health care, but any care. I took more Motrin than I likely should have to “suck it up” and keep moving. Ruck up, head down, brain off, one foot in front of the other. I am sure many had nice cushy desk jobs like I did at the end of my service, but the first half of my time, I was a bit intense. Trying to live up to the rest of the warriors around me, I pushed myself hard enough physically to be paying for it today.

The other part of our body that we rarely speak of is mental health. It is no wonder considering the perception it has among Americans. Most “people” do not want to share that they need help. They sure do not want to risk a security clearance, a credit rating or whatever urban myth may lurk to satisfy our need to deny help. Yes, it is convenient for Veterans and soldiers to deny help. I mean, who really wants to anyway? I do not want to get my blood drawn to check my cholesterol, I sure do not want to talk about insecurities or sensitivities and admit I am not in control of my emotions.

As you may have guessed by now. I waited several years after the military to “seek” help. I finally realized that I needed to be healthy emotionally and physically. Not just for myself, but for my children and even fellow Veterans. Yes, after my third marriage, poor relationships, anxiety attacks that felt like heart attacks, I finally sought help. I will not lie, it was not easy. Telling anyone secrets that you do not want to hear yourself is not easy. However, there is help. If you have served in a combat zone- you and your family are eligible to seek care at a VA Vet Center. If you or your family member even thinks, you have PTSD, MST or any mental health concern, call to speak confidentially with a Vet Center Counselor at any time around the clock call: 877-WAR-VETS (927-8387). With centers located nationwide, you will find one near you. There is no shame in seeking help.

“One must really have suffered oneself to help others.”
~Mother Teresa

 www.VAcareers.va.gov

 

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Competitive Job Searching.

By Darren Sherrard January 15th, 2013 at 8:18 am

ChangesTo say that we are living in a period of competition is an understatement. Never before have we lived in a time of such simultaneous competition and demand.. Today’s teens have a difficult time locating convenient employment. As a father to two teens, I have seen some real changes since I was in high school. It used to be  commonplace to see teens delivering pizzas, newspapers and working at fast food restaurants, but many of those jobs have  evolved into sources for second incomes or retirement positions.

Another factor that is evolving is location. While we began as cities and towns for safety, we Americans headed to the Wild West to spread our wings. Like ants, we scrambled across the country filling in patches of land big and small. As the ability to travel opened up with roads and trains, so did the suburbs and an entirely new way of living apart from where you earned. Businesses migrated to where we lived and now we drive countless miles annually to keep up. Trends of re-vitalizing tired inner cities are seen with a focus on mass transportation and energy conservation. While culture has prioritized family higher than careers, rural areas have begun to grow again as well.

 No wonder it is difficult for some keep up with the job market, especially those requiring expert knowledge. Healthcare and Government organizations remain excellent employers of choice for highly skilled and degreed professionals. It takes years to obtain medical licensure and most high demand professions required advanced degrees and significant relevant experience to be eligible. In order to attract and retain employees, organizations must demonstrate an impeccable reputation as an employer of choice, as well as demonstrate opportunity for advancement and appreciation of employees.

Veterans Health Administration (VHA) consistently ranks high in customer and employee satisfaction. These two areas make VHA an employer of choice. That alone requires attention to detail in job applications with VHA. Taking an honest look at resume quality, educational achievements and demonstrated past experiences is critical. For those early in a career, additional education or work experience will be required to meet minimum requirements at VHA. A two-year nursing graduate position is harder to obtain than a four-year Bachelors of Nursing position. Therefore, a great option for a nurse desiring to work at VHA would be  to continue to gain experience and education and remain focused on working with VA as a career goal. Graduate students with ample military or private practice would be prime candidates for leader roles within VHA mid career.

Like me, many come to VA later in their career, which brings a set of different challenges, not the least of which is not having  sought for a position in several years. Some have been recruited and not found it necessary to pay attention to keeping up with educational standards or effectively demonstrating our skills in a professional Resume or CV. However, when you are applying to an employer of choice, such as VA, attention to detail is the key.

I invite you to review our series one on Job Search- a Warriors Approach. In the series, you will find useful information to consider before you apply. Use Cloud Tag “Series One” to locate all 12 postings. When a position is hard to fill due to undesirable factors, qualification will be lower and more easily obtained. Likely, most VA positions bring opportunities to advance, require considerable education and/or experience and are available nationwide offering career choices. It is these positions that we must hone in our job searching skills to be not competitive, but among the best.

Learn more at www.VAcareers.va.gov.

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Famous Veterans need you.

By Darren Sherrard December 31st, 2012 at 11:33 am

Stormin’ Norman, Senator Inouye and Charles Durning are but three famous Veterans that have left us recently. As the news makes its way across America, Veterans of all ages reminisce about days gone by and where we were when we served with, before or, after these Great Americans.

Other Veterans, not so famous, can be found with a simple online search most any day. Take, Ty Ziegel; a 30 year old Iraq Veteran. Given eight extra years, he made an impression on those around him that will live for years to come.

A former Florida State Supreme Court Justice Carroll S. Walsh Jr., not only participated in liberating 2500 Jewish concentration camp prisoners from a Nazi train at the end of World War II, but will be long remembered in the community he served for decades afterward.

Clifford J. SiJohn, a Vietnam Veteran that was described as “one of the last storytellers” served as the Coeur d’Alene tribe cultural awareness director since 1985.

Each of these Veterans served our Country during and after their military service. And like them, all Veterans can lead a rewarding successful life. That is why VA is always seeking quality caregivers and providers who are dedicated to providing the best care to our Nation’s Veterans. Not all Veterans become famous nationally, are given a hero’s welcome home or even share their experiences in detail with others. However, we all know that every Veteran has a story, every Veteran has a purpose and VA invites you to keep them thriving long after their military service ends, as they remain or return to local communities across America.

If you are a Healthcare provider, I urge you to review open positions nationwide and find where you can make a difference in a Veteran’s tomorrow, today!

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The Key to Success Requires P.I.E.

By Wade Habshey December 19th, 2012 at 11:34 am

Guest Blogger – We are happy to welcome Charles “Nate” Smith, the Outpatient Pharmacy Supervisor at the VA Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System in Biloxi, Mississippi.  

Are you familiar with Harvey J. Coleman’s book Empowering Yourself: GThe Organization Game Revealed? In it he outlines the 3 keys for success: Performance, Image, and Exposure. This model is often reduced to PIE. One must Perform exceptionally well, cultivate the proper Image and manage their Exposure so the right people will know who they are. In this model, he breaks down the value of each portion; Performance (10%), Image (30%) and Exposure (60%). Mr. Coleman believes that to grow professionally, one must have the ability to communicate and fit into an environment without conscious thought.

At first, for me at least, this was a little discomforting but the more I thought about it the more it made sense because I see it happening all day, every day. Then I realized, this is what I am currently doing…..and I think that it is working. I started off grinding it out (Performance) everyday just like everyone else. I badly wanted to become more involved in something, in anything. I wanted to be a part of the bigger picture and to have a voice that would be heard. I wanted to become involved so I could help shape the future of VA pharmacy to benefit our nation’s veterans and the pharmacists who will come after me. All this desire means nothing when you feel like you’re stuck in a box and don’t even know where to begin. I was getting nowhere fast, but that all changed with our first national Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) conference call. That is when things started happening for me. I became very involved on this call and even led the call on several occasions. This really got my name out there (Exposure) and it wasn’t long before my inbox was being flooded with HBPC questions. I quickly found myself becoming a subject matter expert and a resource for other HBPC pharmacists. This involvement introduced me to Anthony Morreale which led to a nomination for the TJC Board of Commissioners, which introduced me to Tim Stroup, who introduced me to Carolyn Stephens and the Pharmacy Recruitment and Retention Office, which led to the opportunity to work with many like-minded VA pharmacy professionals on projects such as this blog, mycareer@va, the national clinical pharmacy newsletter, and a pharmacy outcomes project. I met most of these pharmacists just prior to donating my hair to Locks of Love, so I’m glad that image only counts for 10%!! As you advance through your career I hope that you keep P.I.E. in mind and treat everyone that you meet like they may be the introduction to your next break, because we all know that pharmacy is a small world and VA pharmacy is even smaller!

I will leave you with this thought: “Organizations pay for performance but tend to promote based on potential.”

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A life worth living.

By Darren Sherrard December 17th, 2012 at 11:05 am

Image of Candle burning.How does one not think about what happened in Newtown, CT.? My heart, like most of yours, just bleeds for the victims of this senseless crime. We come to work today and try not to wonder if our own kids are safe at Anytown, USA. We may even ask ourselves, what is the point? Can we get back to living?

I have lived several days that I knew life would not be the same as it once was. One of those was September 11, 2001; the day the towers fell. I was in Cincinnati, OH serving as First Sergeant of the Recruiting Company. That day, we kept all our offices open while most of the country went home to be with family. At the end of the day, I drove home to my family on empty streets. As I took in the stillness rarely experienced in a major city, I realized this is the day that everything changes. I felt we were no longer…Free. Three days later, I arrived at the airport for a flight. I can still feel the sadness as I was patted down the first time on US soil. For years, I had witnessed armed guards doing this at airports in other countries, but not in America. 

Today, I have that same feeling. That life, or at least my perspective, is changing again. I think everyone experiences that feeling at least once. As Veterans, we may experience that several times. Of course, this is not new; every Veteran that comes to VA for care or services has had unique experiences that have changed them. However, that does not mean that we cannot keep living, that we cannot live a full rewarding life. We each have much to give to one another. Whether through a smile during check-in or a listening ear during group therapy, we all have something to give. In addition, health care providers have much to give by providing quality care.

At VA, our providers assist Veterans nationwide in living a fuller, richer life. While everyone’s experiences are different, we are similar in how we feel and heal. We can heal together. We can heal with time and with commitment to one another. If you are a Veteran and you need help, call VA. We want to help. If you are a provider that wants to help Veterans heal, then join with us at VA.

Whatever day perspective changed for you, mentally, emotionally or physically, VA is here to help us all get back to living.

 

 

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What does your social media page say about you?

By Darren Sherrard December 5th, 2012 at 9:27 am

Screen shot of VA Careers facebook page As an American, we have the freedom to say just about anything we want. We can rant about politics and share our personal views about medical marijuana; we can even share the intimate details about our love life. Yes, we are free to tell people off, use profanity or provocative photos and expose just who we are and what we think. Let’s hear it for freedom! And if someone does not like to see or hear what I am free to do, then they can kiss my …!

Now, I love my freedom of speech as much as the next person does. I pride myself on serving our country for 20 years to defend that right. However, there is something profound that I have learned – most people do not care about my opinions on world and national views. While I am free to say anything I want on my social media pages within the terms of the agreements on each site, it is often not the best forum for me to lay out my soul. With ready access to ALL, ALL have ready access to YOU. Think about what that means the next time you are looking for a job – recruiters and hiring managers have access to all the history you have posted. Even if it is just a user name and a photo, we are all public in our online personality. If you would not want your boss, your wife or your mother to read it, do not write it.

Social media can be a highly effective tool during a job search, or it can be your downfall.  If your online image is highly regarded and sought after, you may be viewed as a positive asset to a hiring manager attempting to make a final decision between candidates. However, if your pages reflect hostilities, rudeness or unprofessional behavior, it could do the opposite. 

Trust me, I have been reminded more than once to remain, Polite, Persistent and Professional (3P’s). I have also been reminded that I have bills to pay. So, if you have not reviewed your pages lately to see what they say about you, now may be a good time.

Additional Resources: (Internet search; “social media job search don’ts”) 

Top 10 Social Media Do’s and Don’ts

 Social Networking Do’s and Don’ts

 11 Social Media Mistakes You Don’t Even Know You’re Making  

 

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The Greatest Generation.

By Darren Sherrard December 3rd, 2012 at 9:47 am

When we hear the phrase “The Greatest Generation” we all have a different definition come to mind of who that is. Me, I was born in 1965 and firmly believe that was the best year ever. It was the start of all things of “great” and the year that the moons aligned and history began making sense. Of course, most people believe the same thing is true about themselves. It seems to be in our nature to desire to be the ‘’lead dog”, to be a part of the best. Whether it be football, from the best state in the Union or a Veteran of the hardest period; we all claim to be the “greatest”. Yes, even Veterans compete with who has/ had it harder, who is the greatest?

I believe we are all great. I have come to believe that no Veterans service is more relevant than another’s. Maybe that is my way of dealing with the guilt that I survived 20 years in the military. But as I learned from those whom deserve honor, such as Medal of Honor winners and many disabled Veterans, Veterans know that most Veterans in their position would have done the same thing. It is not up to the Veteran to decide where and when to go, but all Veterans serve America, at her discretion. Infantry or Supply, Pilot, Private or General;  If it be during World War II or today in Afghanistan, a post in South Korea, Panama or dare I say a Recruiter in Anytown, USA; it is my belief that all Veterans are the greatest generation.

It is for the reasons above that we need the best health care providers for all generations from all across America. Urban and Rural, Veterans and non-Veterans, to take care of our Veterans. We need a diverse staff to provide “The Best Care” to all. If you are a health care provider and want to have “The Best Career”, I urge you to apply today!

The humbleness of a warrior is not the humbleness of the beggar. The warrior lowers his head to no one, but at the same time, he doesn’t permit anyone to lower his head to him….”

- Carlos Castaneda, was a Peruvian-born best-selling American author.

http://www.blogs.va.gov/vacareers/disclamier/

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What Would You Say? (WWYS)

By Darren Sherrard November 26th, 2012 at 8:25 am

 What Would You Say?                                                                        A re-occurring comment that I hear from those seeking employment is “I need a job”. The most frequently asked question is, “Does the VA have any openings for ……….”?

            That leads me to a question…..WWYS? You may be familiar with  a bracelet many people wear that reads WWJD- What Would Jesus Do? Along those same lines, I would like to know; WWYS- What Would You Say? Occasionally we meet people that can assist us. It would make my day if I was retweeted by @WhiteHouse or a @nfl team, but if I actually had their ear for a rare moment, WWYS? If I meet someone of great knowledge, power or legendary status, what would I ask him or her? To get even closer, if you had the ear of a recruiter for the company you desire to work for, WWYS to that person? What information would you like to have from that individual? How can I make the best of this opportunity? WWYS?

            We have all heard of people going to extreme lengths to get the attention of prospective employers. Some are unique and may work for you, some are just poor ideas. What is important is to know what you are going to say when you get the recruiter’s or hiring manager’s attention.

            It is my belief that most recruiters and hiring managers want to help people. Actually, the easier you make it on the recruiter the more likely you will be hired. While many candidates are waiting to be told what the next step is, an innovative job seeker will be demonstrating why they are a perfect fit. Never ask a question you can find out for yourself. If wwwVacareers.va.gov has 3000 jobs listed, then it is fairly easy to identify what is open and at which location. If I have used the resources available at http://www.vaforvet.va.gov/ , then I know all about the Veteran hiring preferences and procedures.

So, what kind of questions should we be asking or what should we say….to those that can assist us in getting into our next career? Here are a few to consider:

  1. I am an expert in_______; can you refer me to the team leader in your company that could discuss their hiring needs?
  2. After you have had a chance to review my resume, may I schedule a few minutes to get your expertise on improvements?
  3.  Can you refer me to a member in _________ department to get an idea of the organization’s culture?

These questions can be adapted to suit your situation, but they are creative and set you apart from the crowd. They demonstrate your willingness to learn more about the company, your intelligence and you give the other person credit for expertise in their field. Form a connection and remember to use the manners that our Mothers taught us. Lastly, be prepared and know- WWYS?

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Job Seeking…Today.

By Darren Sherrard November 9th, 2012 at 1:37 pm

Veterans Day 2012No matter your occupation, race, age, sex or even location, job seeking is not business as usual. Almost daily, I speak to highly educated professionals with vast experience ranging from Doctors to social workers to MBA’s. One thing is apparent to me; universities are not keeping pace with teaching relevant job seeking skills in today’s work place.

My first contact with most job seekers is an email that has minimal, if any, information in the message body. It may or may not have a Resume or CV attached. Remember, it is critical to make every inquiry and every application count. Review the blog post on taking a warriors approach to an ongoing job search and the complete series one.

One of the greatest challenges I see to a career search is location. I recently read an article about not listing your address on your resume. The question was, do you want the hiring manager to know that you are 1000 miles away before or after the interview? With today’s technology and changing workspaces, many options exist to how and where we perform our work. Of course, every occupation is different, but you get the point. It also means we should be open to where we work and live. America is migrating and changing daily. I imagine when we all had to ride horses to work, location was a key factor. But with “face time”, Skype, airplanes and cloud computing it is easier than ever to talk to Mom everyday from anywhere. On a personal note, I got my first text from my mother this week and am super excited for that.

I encourage everyone to spend 20 minutes per week catching up on career advice and Today’s career landscape. Be relevant, be current or be left behind.

PS: VA Careers will be sending out and promoting a special Thank you to our Veterans this weekend. Here is a post I shared this time last year.

Happy Veterans day!  Thank you!

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Why treat women Veterans?

By Darren Sherrard October 23rd, 2012 at 4:00 pm

VA Employee assisting woman VeteranI spent some time recently trying to politely address a comment about why VA is spending so much time addressing women’s’ issues. Before I give you my opinion on it, let us look at where I came from.

Born in Waco, TX, my father is one of five boys. His father was one of five boys. None of my grandmothers, mother or aunts worked outside of the home, except one, part-time. I joined the US Army and spent my younger years in airborne units that were closed to women as a Forward Observer. I was involuntary drafted to be a Recruiter, and was sent kicking and screaming to Texas for my first 3 years in an office with all men.

My first experience with women in the Army was at the recruiter’s school. Being a Staff Sergeant (E-6), I walked to class each day with a fellow classmate, a women Sergeant (E-5). After 6 weeks of daily treks to class, the sergeant asked me why I had never offered to carry her bag, since she perceived me to be a gentleman. I replied; “I am a staff sergeant and you are a sergeant; you’re lucky I don’t make you carry my bag”. We both learned from each other about perceptions and realities of men and women serving in the Army.

My first experience working with and for a woman was in 1993 with 10 years in Army service, at 28 years old. No stranger to male inspired conversations and egos, I had a female Military Police Officer (MP) work for me. My First Sergeant (1SG) was a woman as well.   I found that my colleague who was a female recruiter had as much heart as the men on staff, whereas the 1SG spent more time trying to prove herself to my peers who did not support her.  See, my 1SG failed because, in my opinion, her subordinates allowed her to fail. No one, male or female can succeed when a team leaves a member hanging.

 So what did I learn? Similarly to diversity in race and ethnic backgrounds enhance a team and bring strengths that others may not have, women too enhance our military. For decades, women have supported and fought for freedom, just as men have. The numbers today have increased so quickly that it is imperative that America keeps our promise to women Vets also. A service for women is not an exclusion of men or special treatment; it is inclusion of all Vets to receive what is earned, women included.

That is why VA is proud to offer women services to our Veterans. Treating more women today at VA than ever before allows health care providers and professionals to serve all Veterans. Just 20 years ago, VA was hard pressed to recruit health care providers with a focus on women’s health. Today, as we grow, we need everyone to provide the Best Care anywhere. Visit http://www.vacareers.va.gov/ and find your next career, today.

Alone we are strong, together we are stronger. –Unknown Author

 

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