Job Information
Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration Health System Specialist in Fort Harrison, Montana
Summary The Health System Specialist serves as Executive Assistant to the Associate Dir, of Patient Care Services, and is physically located at the Fort Harrison, MT VA Medical Center. The incumbent coordinates the administrative functions of the Office of Patient Care services, and gives administrative and managerial staff support to all professional programs under the supervision of the ADPCS in execution of assigned tasks. Responsibilities Identifies alternative programs and plans, providing staff assistance and participating in the discussion leading the formulation of healthcare system plans and programs. Provides technical expertise in the field of health care planning and comprehensive advice and assistance to the superiors regarding possible need for revision of regulations and policies governing planning activities. Identify project scope, develop plans, require resources, and administer projects. Analyzing the necessary human resources, equipment, and space to effectively support the mission of individual organizational units; support planning efforts in implementing new logistical arrangements aimed at improving service. Closely review all actions and requests received from clinical and administrative services or from external entities (i.e. VA Central Office, VISN, Congressional Offices, etc.). Assess priorities to best meet healthcare delivery needs; advise and assist Executive Leadership Team in the planning, development and operation of the healthcare system's programs. Consolidates submissions received from subordinate units. Compiles, coordinates and completes facility response to recurring, non-recurring and special reports requested by internal and external entities. Reviews reports involving trend analyses and ensures follow-up in these areas for Quality Assurance Program. Reviews materials with regards to compliance with the standards of external bodies and accrediting agencies. Provides technical expertise in the field of healthcare planning and comprehensive advice and assistance to superiors regarding possible need for revision of regulations and policies governing planning activities. Gather information, identify and analyze issues, and develop recommendation to resolve substantive problems of effectiveness and efficiency of work operations. Recommends action or adjustments necessary to achieve required objectives. Maintains annual execution, and recommends adjustments or reallocation of resources. Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday (8:00AM - 4:30PM) Telework: VA supports the use of telework as a way to help attract and retain talented individuals in public service, increase worker productivity, and better prepare the agency to operate during emergencies. This position may be authorized for telework. Telework eligibility will be discussed during the interview process. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description/PD#: Health System Specialist/PD200250 and PD125780 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 You may be required to serve a probationary period Subject to background/security investigation Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP) Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 01/31/2025. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. For a GS-12 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-11. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Individual Occupational Requirement - This series has the following Individual Occupational Requirement: You may qualify based on your experience/education as described below: Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration OR, Specialized Experience: Progressively responsible analytical or administrative, or clinical management or supervisory experience in the health care field. This work may have been performed in an operating health care facility or a higher organizational echelon with advisory or directional authority over such facilities. Work must have involved a close working relationship with facility managers and analysis and/or coordination of administrative, clinical, or other service activities, and provided knowledge of the following: Missions, organizations, programs, and requirements of health care delivery systems; Regulations and standards of various regulatory and credentialing groups; and Government-wide, agency, and facility systems and requirements in various administrative areas such as budget, personnel, and procurement. OR, Special Provision for In-Service Placement: Successful completion of an agency-sponsored on-the-job training program may be substituted for qualifying experience, provided it included a formal individualized training plan. Such a training program must have been conducted in an operating health care system and included: Assignments providing a knowledge of basic health system administration philosophies, practices, and procedures, and basic government administrative policies and requirements; Practical assignments providing an opportunity to apply health system administration skills and principles (as the individual progresses, work assignments must be characteristic of the grade level to which he or she is assigned); and Oversight by an experienced health system administrator with periodic evaluation of the individual's progress and appropriate adjustment of the training program. Qualifications: To qualify for this position at the GS-11 level, you must meet one of the following: Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-9) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties as a Health System Specialist. Qualifying specialized experience is defined as: Knowledge and skill in applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to issues or studies concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of program operations carried out by administrative or clinical personnel, or substantive administrative support functions (i.e., internal activities or functions such as supply, budget, procurement, or personnel which serve to facilitate line or program operations); Knowledge of basic principles and practices related to the management of health care delivery systems and the ability to apply this knowledge to solve the unique problems arising in the particular health care delivery system in which they serve; Knowledge of government-wide, regional and local directives, memoranda, guidelines, policies, and procedures in various administrative and operational areas; Knowledge of the major issues, program goals and objectives, work processes, and administrative operations of the organization; Knowledge of missions, organizations, programs, and requirements of health care delivery systems. Please see below in Education section how to qualify with Education Substitution for the GS-11. To qualify for this position at the GS-12 level, you must meet one of the following: Specialized Experience: You must have at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-11) in the Federal Service, that is directly related to the work of the position and has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties as a Health System Specialist. Qualifying specialized experience is defined as: Knowledge and skill in applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to issues or studies concerning the efficiency and effectiveness of program operations carried out by administrative or clinical personnel, or substantive administrative support functions (i.e., internal activities or functions such as supply, budget, procurement, or personnel which serve to facilitate line or program operations); Knowledge of basic principles and practices related to the management of health care delivery systems and the ability to apply this knowledge to solve the unique problems arising in the particular health care delivery system in which they serve; Knowledge of government-wide, regional and local directives, memoranda, guidelines, policies, and procedures in various administrative and operational areas; Knowledge of the major issues, program goals and objectives, work processes, and administrative operations of the organization; Knowledge of missions, organizations, programs, and requirements of health care delivery systems. You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position: Administration and Management Critical Thinking Planning and Evaluating Reasoning Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. Applicants wishing to receive credit for such experience must indicate clearly the nature of their duties and responsibilities in each position and the number of hours a week spent in such employment. Physical Requirements and Work Environment: The work is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort may be required. Work is typically performed in an adequately lit and climate controlled office. May require occasional travel. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/. Education To Qualify for the GS-11 with Education Substitution: Education: Successfully completed a Ph.D., equivalent doctoral degree, three (3) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, Or LL.M in the related field of the position to be filled (i.e., hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration). The education portion must include courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. Education must have been obtained in an accredited college, or university. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. To Qualify for the GS-11 with a Combination of Specialized Experience and Education: Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education (beyond a master's degree) and specialized experience as described above to meet total experience requirements. The education portion must include graduate courses that demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do to the work of this position (i.e., hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as business or public administration with course work in health care administration). NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. Experience must be clearly indicated in your resume. There is no educational substitution to qualify at the GS-12 level. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.