Health System Specialist

Summary This position is located in the IHS Division of Innovation and Improvement, Office of Quality (OQ) at Rockville, MD.. The position is responsible for developing and implementing programs to increase quality improvement capacity. A REAL ID will be required beginning May 7, 2025, in accordance with 6 C.F.R. 37.5 (2021). Responsibilities - Provides trainings on innovative thinking and performance improvement techniques; ensures one or more of the following methodologies are utilized when doing innovation and improvement work: Care Model, Model for Improvement, Systems Thinking or Lean Six Sigma. - Oversees training programs to increase quality improvement capacity and standardizes improvement methodology to test small-scale changes at the local level. - Coordinates sharing of best practices between Area Quality Managers and Service Unit Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement officers. - Assists collaborative sites with procedural and management challenges. Coordinates meetings and conference calls with collaborative sites, various teams, work groups, and staff members. - Collaborates with other programs in IHS to determine high-risk areas in which improvement or innovation work is offered across the agency. - Develops programs to promote the implementation of patient-centered care models. - Monitors patient and staff satisfaction with health care service delivery. - Provides expert analysis and evaluation of work processes and policies, management practices, and work operations considering complex legislative, programmatic, and management issues and problems. - Analyzes and evaluates management practices, methods, administrative operations of substantive organizations, and complex functions. - Reviews and evaluates managerial policies and procedures to determine gaps where additional guidance is needed and analyzes the impact of new or proposed legislation on agency operations. - Serves as a contracting officer's technical representative on contracts of an administrative nature and/or contractor support for the conduct of large studies. Requirements Conditions of Employment Selectee may be subject to a probationary period ESEP appointees typically serve a two year trial period U.S. Citizenship is required Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 This is a designated position covered by Public Law 101-630, requiring contact or control over Indian children. Due to this requirement, the agency must ensure that persons hired for these positions have not been found guilty of or pleaded nolo contendere or guilty to certain crimes. Confidential Financial Disclosure Form required. Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit You will need to set up direct deposit so we can pay you. Background Investigation Requirement: This position requires the successful completion of a federal background investigation as a condition of employment. A background investigation is a standard process used by the Federal Government to verify an individual's identity, employment history, education, and other relevant information to determine suitability for Federal service. Upon receipt of instructions, applicants must complete all required background investigation forms within five (5) calendar days of issuance. Timely completion is critical to avoid delays in processing or a determination of unsuitability. Applicants are strongly encouraged to prioritize this requirement and to maintain regular communication with their assigned Personnel Security Specialist throughout the process. Financial Suitability Requirement: This position requires a review of the applicant's financial history as part of the personnel security and suitability determination. Applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility, maintain good standing with creditors, and satisfy all legal financial obligations prior to applying. Individuals with substantial delinquent or unresolved financial obligations-including, but not limited to, delinquent federal or state tax liabilities, defaulted federal student loans, court-ordered fines or fees, or child support arrears-may be deemed unsuitable for employment with the Indian Health Service (IHS). Prior to the appointment, candidates must present two valid forms of identification. If one of the documents is a state-issued ID or driver's license, it must be REAL ID-compliant. Qualifications To qualify for this position, your resume must state sufficient experience and/or education, to perform the duties of the specific position for which you are applying. 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; religious; spiritual; community; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer and part time experience. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: GS-13: Your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the Federal service obtained in either the private or public sector performing the following type of work and/or tasks: Experience developing and implementing programs to increase quality improvement capacity; establishing and monitoring metrics to evaluate improvement efforts and outcomes; optimizing use of health information technology and data to continuously improve performance, quality and services; applying qualitative and quantitative methods to the analysis and evaluation of administrative operations, organizations, and management practices to determine their efficiency and effectiveness and managing contracts to support clinical operations. SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR: Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification issued by a recognized certifying organization, such as: - American Society for Quality (ASQ) - International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC) - Council for Six Sigma Certification (CSSC) - Villanova University - Purdue University - Other nationally recognized Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certifying organization OR Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Improvement Advisor Certification issued by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). Time In Grade Federal employees in the competitive service are also subject to the Time-In-Grade Requirements: Merit Promotion (status) candidates must have completed one year of service at the next lower grade level. Time-In-Grade provisions do not apply under the Excepted Service Examining Plan (ESEP). You must meet all qualification requirements within 30 days of the closing date of the announcement. Education There are no education requirements. Additional Information Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. ( 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. IHS may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their directly related previous non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. This position is covered by a Bargaining Unit. Recruitment or relocation incentives may be authorized. At least a 1-year service agreement will be required. This position meets the criteria specified in pillar number one of the five pillars of the PHS Commissioned Corps. PHS Commissioned Officers interested in performing the duties of this position within the Commissioned Corps MUST apply online under the merit promotion announcement indicated above in order to receive consideration. For more information on PHS Commissioned Corps, visit the website at: You will be evaluated for this position in accordance with the OPM Merit Hiring Plan. As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide short essay responses (200 words or less each) to the following four questions. How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government? In this role, how would you use your skills and experience to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? How would you help advance the President's Executive Orders and policy priorities in this role? How has a strong work ethic contributed to your professional, academic or personal achievements? Your responses are optional and will not be scored. However, they may be reviewed by hiring managers and agency leadership (or designees) during the evaluation process. You will be asked to certify that your responses are written in your own words and that you did not use a consultant or artificial intelligence (AI) tool (such as ChatGPT or Copilot).