Health System Specialist

Summary

This position is in the Health Professions Education (HPE) Office. This position supports the management for establishing, maintaining, and evaluating the quality of HPE programs and the quality of care delivered by health professions trainees (HPTs) at the VA medical facility. This position will conduct and evaluate a wide range of program management and administrative duties to fulfill requirements related to VHA's academic mission and Office of Academic Affiliations (OAA's) strategic plans.

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Duties

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• Monitors and manages the onboarding and off-boarding activities of HPTs to ensure each individual HPT is qualified to train at VA, meeting the requirements of the affiliate training program and requirements for federal employment.
• Facilitates and validates information for the TQCVL and expedites approval process from the DEO through the VA Facility Director and verifies information prior to any HPT's appointment. The position may provide completed onboarding packages to HR for processing, but subsequent qualification review is not performed.
• As the SME, trains and guides affiliate staff in completion of the TQCVL including navigation of multiple data sources such as National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB), List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE), and Selective Service System.
• Maintains various VA and local databases that consist of information related to HPT records, training, security background, academic programs, VA transfers, pharmacy prescribing authorization and licensure.
• Administers functions to expedite and coordinate the full spectrum of on- and off boarding services including, but not limited to PIV sponsor, fingerprinting, TMS account creation and management, electronic medical record access and IT network account creation.
• Troubleshoots individual problems, analyzes systems issues, to develop and present solutions for program and system efficiency.
• May serve on focus groups, integrated project teams and attend meetings related to VHA policy and processes, academic affiliations, clinical training, mandatory training, Cerner transition, and HPT processing.
• Directs, organizes, and coordinates administrative programs and information such as HR, personnel security, Office of Information Technology (OIT), and for mandatory training which support the in-processing of HPTs.
• Exercises initiative and collaborates across an interprofessional team of personnel and prioritizes complex and competing priorities
• Informs VA Office of Security and Preparedness, Human Resource Administration, OIT, Office of Electronic Health Record Modernization (OEHRM) and others involved in processes that affect or influence the outcome of HPT programs.
• Recommends, implements and leads process improvements for effective organizational process changes and HPE Office operations.
• Produces data and reports and translates data into meaningful management information such as number of HPTs processed by program, issues encountered, and annual OAA reporting. Facility reports directly effect OAA strategic plans and funding mechanisms.
• Provides training and materials or other tools for education leaders, clinical supervisory staff, and academic affiliates for the management of HPT programs.
• Utilizes information from the OAA annual Trainee Satisfaction Survey and other feedback mechanisms to monitor HPT satisfaction to enhance and increase efficiency of HPE program operations.

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: his 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/ PD99460S and PD99461

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• To be considered for this position, you must complete all required steps in the process. In addition to the application and questionnaire, this position requires an online assessment. The online assessment measures critical general competencies required to perform the job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary; although, some slight physical effort is required. Accompanying HPTs through the medical site or clinical training site may be required. Some work may require walking and standing in conjunction with travel to and attendance at meetings and conferences away from the worksite. Stamina and concentration to meet crucial deadlines is required. The work required does not inherently include any physical requirements essential for successful job performance that could not otherwise be performed with accommodation or workplace adjustment. A pre-placement physical examination is not required.
• Subject to background/security investigation
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP)

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your probationary period period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 08/03/2026.

You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below:

GS-09

Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:

1. Experience administering and manage onboarding and offboarding processes including the coordination of routine onboarding actions with HR, IT, Personnel Security, academic affiliates, and program staff.
2. Utilizing and applying all aspects of the Account Provisioning and Deprovisioning Systems (APDS)
3. Experience troubleshooting issues, analyzing problems, develop recommendations, enact process changes, and participate in program planning
4. Conduct studies, prepare written reports, and deliver oral presentations to supervisors and program leaders
5. Experience using information management and analysis software including spreadsheets, online portals, data tools, graphics, presentations, and flowchart software
6. Review trainee documentation, assist in verifying qualifications for compliance with policies and maintaining records, update data systems, and support tracking of onboarding requirements
7. Experience applying established policies, onboarding SOPs, and procedural guidance to assigned tasks

OR

Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a master's or equivalent graduate degree, or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.B. or J.D. in a field related to this position that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

OR

Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond first year or 18 semester hours and specialized experience to meet total experience requirements. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required.

GS-11

Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to:

1. Experience independently managing the complete onboarding and offboarding process, ensuring all required actions are completed accurately and on time
2. Utilize and apply all aspects of the Account Provisioning and Deprovisioning Systems (APDS) to initiate, coordinate, and finalize onboarding and separation actions
3. Deliver high quality customer service by coordinating with third party entities and assisting with onboarding requirements, appointment actions, documentation needs, and process-related inquiries to ensure all pre employment and separation requirements are met
4. Experience troubleshooting onboarding-related issues, identifying workflow problems and developing solutions and implementing process improvements to enhance efficiency and compliance
5. Experience interpreting and applying policies, onboarding SOPs, and regulatory guidelines to ensure all onboarding and offboarding processes are performed accurately and consistently

OR

Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M. in a field related to this position that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation.

OR

Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have a combination of graduate level education (in excess of the first two graduate years or 36 semester hours) and specialized experience to meet total experience requirements.

NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required.

For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at

Education

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: 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

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.

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.

Receiving Service Credit for 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. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related 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. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) and Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provide eligible displaced 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

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.