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Job Description
Summary The primary purpose is to assist the Associate Director (Chief Operating Officer) by planning, designing and conducting studies; analyzing and evaluating programs, operations and issues; developing recommendations to resolve substantive issues and problems pertaining to programs and work operations and efficiency throughout the Health Care System that provides treatment and care for the outpatient and community-based outpatient facilities. Recruitment Incentive may be authorized Responsibilities Join the West Texas VA Health Care System (WTVAHCS) as the Health System Specialist (Executive Assistant to the Associate Director). You will provide administrative support and serve as a resource and advisor to the Associate Director and other members of senior leadership including the Medical Center Director, Associate Director for Patient Care Services and the Chief of Staff. You will maintain on a daily basis an effective working relationship with all services, Network and Headquarters personnel, as well as a multitude of outside organizations to include VSO’s, Congressional Offices, Medical Schools, VBA, CPAC, National Cemetery Administration, County facilities, Universities, and numerous Health Care Organizations, to assure effectiveness in West Texas VA Health Care System services and mission. You will conduct, evaluate, or direct execution of special studies on designated subjects, most of which require extensive review and analysis; design survey instruments, provide appropriate analysis and make recommendations on appropriate actions and survey the course of studies. Other duties include: Prepare PowerPoint and other presentations for senior leadership and VISN leadership; conducting workload and cost analysis associated with existing and proposed programs utilizing variety of DSS, VSSC, VISTA, ARC, ACRP and data warehouse reports; formal responses to congressional representatives and Veterans; action plans, etc., for review by or signature of the Associate Director or Director. Design and implement follow-up systems to track completed matters of concern to top managers. Serve as project manager for special studies on process improvement and organizational performance. Develop, evaluate and modify organizational structure and systems to achieve program goals. Directs service lines/services throughout the health care system’s planning activities. Respond to inquiries, requests, and complaints directed to Associate Director in a professional manner. Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Position Description Title/PD#: Health System Specialist (Recruitment Incentive) Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for a Highly Qualified Individual Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Individual Occupational Requirement 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. Special Provision for Inservice 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 and oversight by an experienced health system administrator with periodic evaluation of the individual’s progress and appropriate adjustment of the training program. Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-11 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: mastery of a wide range of qualitative and/or quantitative methods for the assessment and improvement of program effectiveness or the improvement of complex management processes and systems; knowledge of planning research methods, data analysis and ability to use standard VHA and standard business computer software packages and databases; formulates effective strategies consistent with the business and competitive strategy of the organization in a global economy; comprehensive knowledge of the range of administrative laws, policies, regulations, and precedents applicable to the administration of one or more important public programs. 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. Education There is no educational substitution at this grade level for specialized experience. Education may be used to meet Individual Occupational Requirement only. A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. 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: 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: Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced Federal/VA competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. To be qualified you must submit appropriate documentation (a copy of the agency notice, your most recent performance rating, and your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location) and be found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified: applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors, and who are proficient in most of the required competencies of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM’s Career Transition Resources website at 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 to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.