Located in “The Heart of Louisiana”, Alexandria and the adjacent Pineville, just across the Red River, form a hub, combining elements of north and south Louisiana neighbors. Cajun bonhomie and an annual Mardi Gras celebration thrive among all the amenities of a modern Southern city. A robust sportsman's culture is nurtured by outdoor opportunities at Kisatchie National Forest, nearby bayous and manmade lakes. The Red River is the focal point of both cities, and the Alexandria Levee Park puts festival grounds and an amphitheater right on its banks. Boat tours highlight the river's role in shaping Louisiana history, while annual bass tournaments speak to its lure for fishermen. Lake Buhlow in Pineville features high-speed motorboat racing, and the Alexandria Riverfront Center hosts statewide conventions and galas. History endures in Pineville's stock of intact 19th century homes and 18th century cemeteries. In central Louisiana, residents and guests enjoy a treasured, peaceful lifestyle. Diversity is celebrated through food, fun, family, arts, and festivals. Check out the City of Alexandria.

Paid Time Off:

• 26 Days paid annual (vacation/personal) leave
• 13 Days paid sick leave each year with no limit on accumulation
• 11 paid Federal holidays per year
• 5 Days paid absence to attend approved CME courses

Insurance:

• Health Insurance: VA employees have an outstanding number of health insurance plans from which to choose (premiums are partially paid by VA) Lifetime Healthcare Insurance options available
• Dental & Vision: Our insurance options also include exceptional vision and dental plans (premiums are partially paid by VA)
• VA employees have the option to use Flexible Spending Accounts, which allow you to use tax-free dollars to pay for medical, dental, and vision care expenses that are not reimbursed by your health insurance plan
• Term life insurance, family, and additional coverage options are available with the cost shared by the Federal Government
• Long-term care insurance is available as an option

Federal Retirement Plan:

• VA employees are covered by the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). FERS is a three-tiered retirement plan composed of 1) Social Security benefits, 2) FERS-RAE basic benefits (pension), and 3) Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) which is a 401K-type plan
• How is the pension funded? VA employees automatically contribute 4.4% of their salary each pay period and the VA contributes 12.2% of the employee’s salary each pay period for a total annual contribution percentage equal to 16.6% of the employee’s salary
• Similar to the 401(k) savings plans widely available in the private sector, the TSP allows employees to tax defer a portion of their income each year, subject to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Service. For calendar year 2020, employees under the age of 50 may contribute up to $19,500, while those over age 50 are eligible to make catch-up contributions that allow them to defer up to $25,500.
• The Federal Government also provides an automatic basic contribution (1% of salary) and up to 4% of salary in matching contributions, depending on the amount of the employee contribution
• For retired military personnel, these benefits are in addition to full monthly retirement pay or pension
• In addition to FERS, VA provides health care insurance coverage for retired personnel
• Disability Retirement
• Employees are vested in a federal pension after only 5 years service

The Best Care and the Best Careers…The mission of the Veterans Healthcare System is to serve the needs of America's veterans by providing primary care, specialized care, and related medical and social support services. To accomplish this mission, the VA needs to be a comprehensive, integrated healthcare system that provides excellence in health care value, excellence in service as defined by its customers, and excellence in education and research, and needs to be an organization characterized by exceptional accountability and by being an employer of choice.

The Veterans Administration Medical Center Alexandria… categorized as a primary and secondary care facility. It is a teaching hospital, providing a full range of primary care services with state-of-the-art technology and education. Comprehensive acute and extended health care is provided on a primary and secondary basis in areas of medicine, surgery, psychiatry, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurology, oncology, dentistry, geriatrics, and extended care. The Medical Center serves a potential veteran population of over 100,000 veterans and an active patient roster of over 37,000. The Alexandria, Louisiana VAMC is a part of VA Network 16, South Central VA Health Care Network, which includes facilities in Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Southeast Texas, and Northwest Florida.

Ambulatory Care services are provided in-house and through community-based clinics in Jennings and Lafayette, Louisiana. Surgical (in-patient and ambulatory) and medical services are provided through two wards, 5 operating rooms, a Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, and ICU. Tertiary care services are provided through referrals primarily to VAMC's Shreveport, Jackson, and Houston. The extended care program includes two Nursing Home Care Units, including an 18 bed Alzheimer's Unit with enclosed walking yard. Alexandria is one of three Specialty Referral Facilities in the VISN for acute and intermediate psychiatric care. VAMC Alexandria receives long-term psychiatry referrals from network facilities and VA facilities in bordering states.

Rich in history, the Alexandria area… is second to New Orleans for the number of places listed on the National Historic Register. Before and during World War II, The Hotel Bentley (c.1908) in Alexandria, because of its proximity to Fort Polk (then Camp Polk), Camp Beauregard, Camp Livingston and Camp Claiborne, served as host for military strategists such as Major General George Patton, Lieutenant Colonel Omar Bradley, Colonel Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Lieutenant Henry Kissinger. Surrounded by the Kisatchie National Forest, bikers, hikers, hunters and nature observers find themselves in heaven. Numerous lakes and bayous such as Cane River Lake, in Natchitoches Parish, Iatt and Nantachie Lakes in Grant Parish, and Kincaid and Cotile Lakes in Rapides Parish offer a wide variety of boating and fishing opportunities. Central Louisiana has become known as "The Crossroads", a place where all of Louisiana comes together - from culture to food to music.