This collection is necessary to comply with PL 101-366 (Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Nurse Pay Act of 1990) as amended by 106-419 (Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of 2002), which requires specifically provides for a locality pay system for certain health care personnel. VA uses data from the BLS, other third party salary survey sources or VA surveys to determine a location appropriate pay scale for these health care personnel.
PL:
Pub.L. 106 - 419 1402
Name of Law: Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of 2000
PL:
Pub.L. 101 - 366 201
Name of Law: Nurses Pay Act of 1990
US Code:
38 USC 7451
Name of Law: Nurses and other health-care personnel: competitive pay
PL: Pub.L. 106 - 419 1402 Name of Law: Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of 2000
PL 106-419 modified the law to allow VA to use third party salary sources. It also eliminated the mandatory annual survey requirement. These two factors have significantly reduced the amount of data collection VA must perform. Facilities now seek survey data only when they believe they need to review the competitiveness of their pay rates. In many instances, they are able to accomplish this through the use of third party salary data. In a recent one year period, only 50 VA facilities collected nurse salary data.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.