Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 102 Part 1.djvu/552

 102 STAT. 514

PUBLIC LAW 1 0 0 - 3 2 2 - M A Y 20, 1988 (A) by striking out "and"; and (B) by inserting ", pharmacists, and occupational therapists" after "nurses". Ob) AUTHORITY FOR PREMIUM PAY.—The second sentence of section 4107(f) is amended— (1) by striking out "or licensed" and inserting in lieu thereof "licensed"; and (2) inserting "pharmacists, or occupational therapists," after "nurses,". SEC. 212. RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION BONUS PAY.

(a) AUTHORITY TO PAY BONUS.—Chapter 73 is amended by inserting after section 4119 the following new section: 38 USC 4120. Contracts.

"§ 4120. Recruitment and retention bonus pay for nurses and certain other health-care personnel "(a)(1) In order to recruit and retain registered nurses, the Administrator may enter into agreements under this section. Such an agreement may be entered into with any registered nurse who is employed at, or who agrees to accept employment with the Veterans' Administration at, a Veterans' Administration health-care facility that is designated by the Administrator as a health-care facility with a significant shortage in registered nurses in any clinical service. "(2) A registered nurse entering into an agreement under this section shall agree to remain employed by the Veterans' Administration as a registered nurse for a period of time to be specified in the agreement and to serve during that period in a specific healthcare facility that is designated by the Administrator as a health-care facility with a significant shortage of registered nurses in that nurse s clinical service. Such period may not be less than two years or more than four years. Such employment during such period may be on a full-time basis or a part-time basis, as specified in the agreement. Part-time employment as specified in such an agreement may not be less than half-time. "(b)(1) The Administrator shall pay to any nurse entering into an agreement under this section bonus pay in an amount specified in the agreement. The amount of such bonus pay may not exceed— "(A) $2,000 per year, in the case of an agreement for two years, "(B) $3,000 per year, in the case of an agreement for three years, and "(C) $4,000 per year, in the case of an agreement for four years. "(2) In the case of an agreement for employment on less than a full-time basis, the amount of bonus pay shall be pro rated accordingly. "(c)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a bonus under this section shall be paid in equal installments after each year of service is completed throughout the period of obligated service specified in the agreement. "(2)(A) The Administrator may make a payment in an amount not in excess of 25 percent of the total bonus in a lump sum at the time that the period of obligated service commences under the agreement. "(B) If the Administrator makes a lump-sum payment under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the remaining balance of the

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