VA Procedures for EMR Access are Changing

Published December 4, 2019

To keep your account active, you must login to our VA Windows account and the EMR (CPRS) at least once every 90 days (from a VA desktop) or at least every 30 days (from a PIV Card Reader)

Change in VA Computer Access

The VA IT department has implemented a new system to activate or reset logons for the EMR. This system does not process automatically and therefore, accounts cannot be activated without any notice. The same applies to resetting EMR login codes. It can take 2-4 days after a request is submitted for the account ready and longer if you have been away from the VA for more than 6 months.

You will need to be proactive in contacting the VA Academic Affiliation Office at least 6 business days before required access.  Your computer access should remain active if you log into both your VA Windows account and the EMR (CPRS) at least once every 90 days.  You can do this by either coming to the VA and logging in or to purchase a PIV Card reader for use at home with your personal computer and logging in at least once every 30 days.  If you do not notify the Academic Affiliation Office or if there is a last-minute change to the schedule, then you will have contact the VA National Help Desk and follow the instructions below which can take 20-40 minutes.

Calling IT Help Desk for Account Activation or Password Reset

  1. You need to be at a VA computer when you start this process
  2. From VA phone the extension is 23246
  3. The first prompt will be # 1 (Accounts, PIV Exemption or reset password)
  4. The second prompt is # 1 (VHA)
  5. Keep it simple, you don’t need to give them a long explanation
  6. They will ask your name
  7. They will ask for your phone #, give them our extension 716-862-7261
  8. If they ask for a supervisor, use Glenda Wood
  9. They will ask for your VA email.  Usually firstname.lastname @va.gov unless you have a common name. You can check with me or Crystal who works with me  crystal.mccourt@va.gov
  10. They will ask if you want the ticket # when you are done, you don’t need it.

Keeping Your Account Active

To keep your account active, you must login to our VA Windows account and the EMR (CPRS) at least once every 90 days (from a VA desktop) or at least every 30 days (from a PIV Card Reader).

Card readers have been purchased and will be distrubuted to VA residents to be passed down each month. Card readers will also be available at Grand Rounds each Thursday, so residents should:

  1. (one-time) Download card reader software on laptop
  2. (recurring) Bring PIV card and laptop to Thursday conferences to login with available card reader