Affiliate Resources
Affiliation Agreements govern the relationship between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), local medical centers, and academic institutions that offer clinical training programs. The academic affiliates accept primary responsibility for the integrated education programs conducted with VA, while the local VA medical center retains full responsibility for the care of VA patients and administration of its health care system.
Affiliation Opportunities
Each year, approximately 120,000 HPTs receive clinical training in VA facilities through academic affiliations with over 1,800 educational institutions, including 97% of the nation’s medical schools. Available programs include:
- Medical and Dental Education
- Nursing Education
- Associated Health Education
- Advanced Fellowships
If your institution is interested in learning more about affiliation agreements please contact the Designated Education Officer at your local VA Medical Center or email OAA at oaahelp@va.gov.
Why Partner with VA?
Serve our nation's Veterans and understand military service
- Health Professions Trainees (HPTs) provide care directly to Veterans for a gratifying training experience that builds understanding of military service.
- HPTs expand VA’s clinical capacity, allowing VA patients to be seen more quickly.
High quality training
- VA is the nation's premier GME partner, affiliated with medical schools across the country.
- VA has been teaching and training health professionals for 75 years.
- VA provides training to future health professionals in over 40 disciplines including Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Psychology and Nursing to name a few.
Distinctive education opportunity
- VA provides care in a team-based, patient-centered, interprofessional work environment, which models the future of health care delivery.
- VA offers physician residents exposure to integrated electronic health records, telehealth services, clinical e-messaging, and other innovative technologies for care.
Academic Affiliation Directives and Handbooks
VHA Directives governing affiliation agreements, 1400 series, and 1605 series can be found at the VHA Directives Library
VHA Handbooks governing affiliation agreements, 1004 series, 1200 Series, and 1400 series can be found at the VHA Handbooks Library
Additional Resources
Trainee Qualifications and Credentials Verification (TQCVL) Letter
Trainee Qualifications and Credentials Verification (TQCVL) List
Trainee Qualifications and Credentials Verification Guide (TQCVL)
Each Health Professions Trainee (HPT) must be listed on a Trainee Qualifications and Credentials Verification Letter (TQCVL) by the Program Director (VA or non-VA) before participating in training at a VA facility.
Educational Activity Records (EARs)
Affiliates work with the VA to establish disbursement agreements and rate schedules, which are required to reimburse the salaries and benefits of HPTs employed by the affiliates for the time HPTs spend performing duties at the VA facility.
Health Professions Trainee (HPT) Resources
Department of Veterans Affairs Psychology Postdoctoral Resident
or Advanced Fellow Verification Agreement
VA Psychology postdoctoral residents and advanced fellows must complete all academic requirements of their doctoral degree from a program that is accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA), Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), or Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS) prior to their matriculation into the postdoctoral residency or advanced fellowship program. VA program directors are responsible for verifying that requirements have been met prior to completing the onboarding process. Consistent with APPIC Postdoctoral Guidelines, this verification includes ensuring receipt of “a diploma or a letter from the Director of graduate studies verifying the completion of all degree requirements pending institution graduation ceremony.”
