Program Analyst

Summary

The primary purpose of this position is to provide support (analysis and recommendations) to Quality & Patient Safety Programs and ultimately to the Chief of Quality & Patient Safety.

Learn more about this agency

Duties

Help

As the Program Analyst, you will:

• Independently assist with the coordination, implementation, and ongoing management of the various programs within Quality & Patient Safety (QPS) (patient safety, risk management, systems redesign, performance measures, peer review, external accreditation, safe patient handling, high reliability, and quality improvement nurse specialists).
• Responsible for researching and performing detailed analysis of QPS programs and policies to determine the impact on local operations and advise management on best practices; plan and conduct studies to evaluate effectiveness and efficiency and develop recommendations for improvement and problem resolution; oversee of data management, will gather, compile, and analyze data from multiple sources which may require reconciliation of multiple reporting requirements and formats; and develop routine reports which reflect the scope of activities and identifies trends and opportunities for improvement
• Responsible for the administrative management of QPS which includes interpreting administrative policies, develop and implement local policies, procedures, define administrative requirements, and provide advice to service line leadership on related issues

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 through Friday, 0700-1530

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#: Program Analyst / PD02977-O and PD02978-O

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required

Requirements

Help

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
• 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 or trial 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, 09/12/2026.

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.

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

To qualify for this position at the GS-9 level, you must meet one of the following:

• 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. Specialized experience includes: Analyze and evaluate, on a quantitative or qualitative basis, the effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of administrative and technical programs, and patient administration and processing operations; advise management staff in planning, organizing, and implementing policies, procedures, and processes to improve the efficiency of a program; interpret pertinent laws, regulations, policies, and precedents that affect the use of program and related support resources in patient administration and processing activities; and plan, organize, and carry out complex duties involving multiple programs within time constraints. 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 LL.B. or J.D., if related NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts to receive credit. OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. Only education in excess of the first year (18 semester hours) may be used to meet this requirement. NOTE: You must submit a copy of your transcripts to receive credit.

To qualify for this position at the GS-11 level, you must meet one of the following:

• Specialized Experience : Must have one full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-9 in Federal Service that equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. Specialized experience includes, but is not limited to: Knowledge and skill applying analytical and evaluative methods and techniques to issues concerning costs, efficiency, and effectiveness; Comprehensive knowledge of the operating programs and objectives of the Medical Center; Knowledge and understanding of VA accounting systems; Knowledge of a wide range of auditing techniques and analyses to ensure the accuracy of financial data; Skill in presenting program recommendations and negotiating solutions to disputed recommendations; and Development of presentations and reports. OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for specialized experience. You must have a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, OR three full years of progressively higher graduate education leading to such a degree, OR LL.M., if related. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. (Transcripts Required) OR,
• Combination: Applicants may combine education and experience. You must have equivalent combinations of specialized experience and education. (Transcripts Required)

You will be rated on the following Competencies for this position:

• Analysis and Problem Solving
• Information Management
• Technical Competence

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: The work is sedentary in nature but may periodically require lifting no more than 50 pounds.

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

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. 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.

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

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.

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.

Help

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.

Review our benefits

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.