The Defense Health Agency is hiring

The Defense Health Agency is scheduled to take part in two upcoming Department of Defense-sponsored job fairs Sept. 20 at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, and Nov. 15 at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in the Washington, D.C., area. (U.S. Navy photo by Joseph Fordham)

FALLS CHURCH, Va. — Would you like to serve with those who provide health care to 9.4 million eligible service members, military retirees, and their families? Then the Defense Health Agency is looking for you. The agency is scheduled to take part in two upcoming Department of Defense-sponsored job fairs Sept. 20 at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, and Nov. 15 at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall in the Washington, D.C., area.

“The DHA has a very important mission,” said Larry Bolton, chief of the agency’s human resources division. “These job fairs are a way of educating the public about who we are and what we do.”

While many of the agency’s people work in the health care field, Bolton emphasized that the need is for more than just doctors, nurses, and other care providers.

“We have more than 95 occupations in the DHA,” said Bolton. “Not only do we need clinicians, but we also have opportunities for administrative specialties that play a vital role in providing health care to the Military Health System. We want a diversity of thought and a diversity of cultural backgrounds in our applicants and eventual employees.”

Despite the popularity of electronic documents, Bolton recommends that those attending the job fair come armed with a stack of printed resumes and questions about the DHA for the recruiters on hand. Many of the positions to be filled include information technology and procurement.

“These events give our hiring managers a chance to speak face-to-face with the applicants,” said Bolton. “If you have the skill sets and qualifications needed, being prepared and having good questions could give you a leg up later on when the hiring process formally begins,” he said, adding that if you don’t get hired this time, don’t give up; other opportunities with DHA will come along.

Other DoD and federal agencies will also attend these career fairs, as well as civilian companies, so attendees should be able to find a good fit for them. Bolton thinks DHA has a lot to offer a job seeker.

“We have a great organization with a wonderful mission and a responsibility that serves this nation,” said the retired Army medical service corps veteran and current DoD civilian. “I’ve been in DoD for more than 39 years, and every day is a new challenge. I’m honored to serve. For individuals that have the right skills, whether they’ve been in the military or not, it’s an opportunity to make a difference and join an organization on the leading edge of 21st century health care.”

For more information on these and other DoD career fairs, check out the DoD’s Hiring Heroes Program website.