Health System Specialist

Summary The Health Systems Specialist serves as the direct line supervisor for the Supervisory Medical Support Assistants, Lead Medical Support Assistants and all levels of Medical Support Assistants. They provide administrative and professional supervision necessary for accomplishing the work of the Ambulatory and Emergency Care Clinical Center (AECCC) and the Community Based Outpatient Clinics. Responsibilities Duties: Assists the Business Manager in resolving day-to day operational issues or the Community Based Outpatient Clinics. Coordinates with various disciplines and program managers to assess operational issues that impact on workload productivity, personnel and supply management, process improvement, space, and equipment. Coordinates all aspects relating to space with relevant personnel. Routinely surveys the outpatient areas to ensure that safety, health, and fire hazards are eliminated. Develops goals and objectives for participant consensus and keeps top management abreast of pertinent issues related to project completion. Analyzes summaries and communicates results to Business Manager, and Associate Chief of Staff and others as indicated. Provides administrative support in the development/integration and implementation of policies and Standard Operating procedures. Prepares white papers and correspondence for top level management, Network Office, and Headquarters as necessary Ensures timely responses to VISN and headquarters request for information/reports. Assist with conducting job analysis for administrative positions. Serves as a hiring official and performs a variety of human resource actions to create new or back-fill vacant positions. Responds to customer/patients concerns and initiates action to resolve identified problems; conducts necessary follow up to ensure a satisfactory resolution. Performs studies/surveys in response to an identified need, or to further assess an opportunity for improvement. Preparing data for analysis, applying business rules and quality assurance Utilizing generated data for descriptive statistics and developing reports to execute action plans when applicable. Works in conjunction with PI Sub council in the development, implementation, administration and monitoring of the PI Program of the Community Based Outpatient Clinic sites or assists in the Medical Centers development of procedures and schedules necessary activities to ensure compliance with VHA Directives, VAMHCS policies and procedures, JCAHO standards and relevant internal and external reviews. Prepares visual tools to demonstrate program objectives, committee function, and use resources such as Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Access. Actively facilitates the timely capturing of workload; support and validates the PCE work load process; monitors the input of required data elements; for all outpatient workload. Coordinates required efforts with relevant staff as needed. Assists in translation of mandated performance measures and clinical reminders into an evaluative process so as to ensure optimal compliance. Coordinates initiatives for assisting VAMHCS in meeting performance measures. Performing audits utilizing Business Intelligence Service Line (BISL) Supervisory Appointment Tools to identify scheduling errors and provide training to educate subordinates. Serves as a Purchase Card holder and procures office supplies. Provides input to the Business Manager for the preparation of the Clinical Center's annual budget Assists the Business Manager in the preparation of the annual equipment and IRM request for both hardware and software needs The incumbent is the responsible EIL official for their location. Coordinates all aspects of project including acquisition of equipment (medical, computer, and telecommunications), construction, space/lease, interior design, contracts, etc. Assists in the monitoring of the financial and utilization tracking systems; utilities data to adjust in providers panels and scheduling patterns. Develops performance plans and evaluates the performance of direct reports, provides administrative oversight and guidance over the performance of the clinical subordinates. Directs recruitment and onboarding activities, research and input for market pay development and reviews, and other personnel administrative tasks. 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: 7:30am-4:00pm, Monday-Friday Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: 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/PD512-260270A and PD512-260271A 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 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 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 or 2-year trial 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, 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, 08/17/2026. 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-09 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-07. For a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. 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. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. Health System Administration Series, 0671 Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) 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 GS-5 and above: 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 ln-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 In addition to meeting the Individual Occupation Requirement above you must meet specialized experience and/or education as described below: Health System Specialist 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: Working directly with healthcare professionals and other administrators to solve problems in support of the delivery of patient care. Experience preparing data for analysis, applying business rules and quality assurance. Demonstrates logical thinking when describing facts and concepts, and shapes communications to meet the needs of a specific audience. 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, successfully completed two (2) full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, LL.B or J.D in a 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). Education at the graduate level must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. 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: the first year and specialized experience as described above, to meet the 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 course work in health care administration). This education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. Health System Specialist GS-11 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: Working directly with healthcare professionals and other administrators to solve problems in support of the delivery of patient care and education/training. Plans, distributes, coordinates, and monitors work assignments of others. Analyzing and synthesizing data from diverse data systems to improve business processes. OR, 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. OR, Combination: 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). 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 Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest. The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and wellbeing. As a VA employee, you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care. 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