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VA Medical Center, James E. Van Zandt
VAMC
Organizational Information
Vision, Mission and/or Purpose of Organization
The medical center exists to serve the Veteran through the delivery of timely quality care. They embrace the VHA Mission to honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well being. VAMC is a leader in quality patient care, positive customer service, and excellent employment opportunities. They strive to be a patient-centered health care organization for Veterans, providing excellence in health care; being an organization where people choose to work; and serving as a community partner and back-up for national emergencies.
Contact Information
Key Leader(s)
Contact Person(s)
Contact Number(s)
1-877-626-2500 - Toll Free
814-940-6603 - FAX
Contact Email(s)
john.grove@va.gov - social Work Chief
Web Addresses
www.altoona.va.gov - James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center
Primary Address
Service Information
Service Area
14 county catchment area: Elk, Cameron, Clinton, Jefferson, Clearfield, Centre, Juniata, Mifflin, Huntingdon, Blair, Cambria, Indiana, Somerset, and Bedford counties
Service Description
Acute Care program provides inpatient care to veterans in 28 total operating beds; four are dedicated to providing intensive care.
Behavioral Health program provides consultation, evaluation, and treatment for a variety of issues that can impact emotional well-being
Diagnostic Services-The medical center's ancillary services, such as pathology/laboratory medicine and radiology, are available on a continuous basis. In addition to diagnostic radiographic studies, the Radiology Service provides fluoroscopic, ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT) scans, and dual energy x-ray absortiometry (Dexascan) services
Emergency Care- The medical center maintains a level III Emergency Room, which provides acute medical care for most emergencies 24 hours a day. Trauma patients are provided appropriate care in the emergency departments of nearby hospitals.
Long Term Care program includes: community living center, home based primary care, care coordination/home telehealth, hospice, and respite care
Pharmacy processes more than 2,000 prescriptions daily. Prescriptions may be refilled by mail, by phone, or online.
Primary Care program offers an extensive range of treatments with an emphasis on health care prevention
Social Services are an integral part of health care. The social services staff assists veterans with counseling and community services.
Specialty Care program offers: behavioral health, cardiology, dental, dermatology, ear/nose/throat, surgery, neurology, ophthalmology, optometry, orthopedics, physical medicine and rehabilitation services, podiatry, pulmonary, urology, and women's health/gynecology.
Women's Health program offers gynecological and obstetrics care.
Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV)- The mission of the HCHV Program is to provide services that enable Homeless Veterans to achieve and maintain the highest level of health, social, and independent functioning in the community. Veteran must be homeless, eligible for VA Health Care, discharged from military (honorable or general under honorable conditions), must have psychiatric and medical clearance, be abstinent from drugs and/or alcohol while enrolled in program, must be currently engaged, and in compliance with, treatment of mental health, substance abuse, and/or medical issues; eligible veterans can be referred through a VAMC provider by consultation request, be self-referred, or referred from community agencies. Services include outreach, case management, health care, behavioral health programs, compensated Work Therapy, Housing, Shelters.
Shelter: Family Services of Altoona offers emergency housing for up to 30 days.
Short Term Housing- Tomorrow’s Hope- a residential housing facility in Coalport, Cambria County. This program offers case management, transportation to VA appointments, career counseling, meals and supportive housing
Permanent Housing- Veteran’s Assistance Supportive Housing Vouchers (HUD/VASH) Program-25 Vouchers available in Indiana County; offered through local Housing Authorities for homeless Veterans to secure permanent housing; Veteran must be registered to receive veterans services through local Veterans Affairs office; income eligibility, honorably discharged, must be able to live independently, non-emergency housing option; veteran must be referred to the Homeless Coordinators at the VAMC who will assess eligible veterans for all homeless services and will connect them with HUD VASH Case Managers.
Health Care for Homeless Veterans Substance Use Disorder- this program addresses substance abuse issues among homeless veterans; works with Tomorrow’s Hope and the VA Behavioral Health Staff
Homeless Veterans Supported Employment Program (HVSEP)-a service that helps homeless Veterans find and maintain meaningful jobs in the community. The jobs are competitive, paying at least minimum wage, and are based on the Veteran’s preferences and abilities. The supported employment shifts vocational rehabilitation from a “train and place” to a “place and train” model.
VA Benefits- Homeless Veterans may be eligible for financial benefits to assist with security deposits and prevent evictions
Veterans Justice Outreach (VJO) Program- helps all Veterans who are eligible; gives Veterans information on the health care programs available to them in VA Medical Centers and in the local area; provides information to the courts about a Veteran’s participation in treatment-if Veteran signs a release; assists Veterans with VA treatment options to help them to avoid further criminal justice involvement..
Eligibility Requirements
Call for information; must be registered through local County Veterans Affairs Offices
Required Documentation
Call for information
How to Access Services or Schedule Appointments
Call
Miscellaneous Information
Handicap Accessibility
yes