TALLAHASSEE—Florida has the country’s third-largest population of military veterans and is proud to be a veteran-friendly state. The Florida Department of Health has programs in place to aid veterans in finding employment in health-related fields after they return home.
“Men and women who have served our country in uniform have values and skills that make them model employees,” said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. “We are following through on the commitment of Governor Rick Scott and the Florida legislature by recruiting veterans to the Sunshine State.”
The department offers expedited health care practitioner licensure through the Veterans Application for Licensure Online Response (VALOR) system. Since its inception in July 2014, nearly 100 veterans have been licensed through the VALOR system. Most of those were processed in less than a week ensuring the same high quality standards were upheld. The department also offers licensure fee waivers for military veterans and their spouses applying for health care licensure in Florida. Nearly 900 veterans and more than 200 military spouses have been licensed with military fee waivers since July 2013.
Health care jobs are plentiful in Florida. Nursing positions are in the highest demand, but many other health care job opportunities are available in county health departments and in Children’s Medical Services clinics. The department continues to assist county health departments in recruiting military veterans and their spouses to work in health-related fields.
According to the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ 2013-2014 Annual Report, more than 231,000 veterans are returning home to Florida from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Those men and women are transitioning back into civilian life and are seeking employment. If you are a member of the U.S. Armed Services, are planning to leave the military within the next 60 months or were honorably discharged within the past 60 months, the Florida Department of Health may be able to help you find employment.
“Our returning service members return to Florida with proven leadership and technical skills, a strong sense of teamwork and integrity, and the ability to work under pressure,” said Mike Prendergast, executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. “These are the very qualities health care employers seek. We salute the Department of Health and their continuing focus on our veterans.”
Visit https://peoplefirst.myflorida.com/ for job opportunities. To learn more about armed forces health care licensing in Florida, please visit the DOH website at http://www.floridahealth.gov/licensing-and-regulation/armed-forces/index.html.