Program Specialist

Job Title: Program Specialist

Major duties include but are not limited to:

• Research and/or analyzes problems, issues, or program requirements. Research and/or analyzes stable issues which may be simple or complex in nature. Determines pertinent issues and collects relevant information from a variety of sources. Reviews information and applies standard analytical techniques. Develops recommendations and proposals based on research.
• Incumbent conducts special projects as assigned. Special projects generally involve fact-finding, data analysis, benchmarking, networking within and outside of the facility and presenting formalized suggestions for problem resolution as well as assisting with the development and implementation of new or reviewed policies or program changes.
• Independently researches, collects, organizes, and displays data related to assigned initiatives and projects, preparing reports in various formats such as word, PowerPoint and excel that enable users to identify potential issues, needs and opportunities for improvement related to initiatives.
• Serves as the Contract Officer Representative for clinical personnel contracts, sharing agreements, intergovernmental personnel act (IPA) agreements, and Memoranda of Understanding (MOU), and works with respective services in the management of said clinical contracts, sharing agreements, MOUs and IPAs. Incumbent works collaboratively with a point of contact from the respective clinical service to write and implement agreements/contracts to ensure the clinical needs are fully met.
• Evaluates contracts for compliance with VA policies and ensures contract specifications are accurate; initiates cost proposals for change orders; develops a government cost estimate for the change and negotiates such changes with the Contractor's Representative, reviews and examines submittals for compliance; verifies daily logs; evaluates and makes recommendations concerning the release and payment of funds to contractors based upon exams and for procedures satisfactorily completed.
• Develops and implements processes and procedures as changes are made to the VHA Procurement Manual. VA may enter into health care resources contracts (agreements) for the acquisition of health care resources with any health care provider or other entity, group of individuals, corporation, association, partnership, State or local Governments or individuals.
• Ensures that all per procedure contracts meet VHA standards of resident supervision in terms of qualifications of the contract physician to supervise residents during their physical presence in clinical settings and procedural involvement, including preoperative evaluation and post-operative care as specified by VA policy.
• Incumbent is responsible for working with the respective Clinical Service, Human Resources and Credentialing and Privileging to on-board personnel timely and efficiently.
• Independently drafts documents (memos, policies, spreadsheets) for the Service Chief as needed with limited input from the AO and/or Chief of Service. Writes professionally and, when needed, technically; proofreads documents prior to submission. Electronically scans hard copy documents and converts documents to desired formats as needed.
• Maintains all required Human Resources (HR) documentation (e.g., competency folders, organizational charts, etc.) for the Service. Submits mandated reports to HR as required. Initiates HR actions as needed.
• Serves as a customer service liaison for the service providing service recovery to Veterans, their family members, and employees as the situations arise.
• Serves as alternate as timekeeper, Records Management Liaison, Automated Data Processing Application Coordinator (ADPAC) and PIV Manager/Sponsor for the Service. Assists, when needed, in coordinating/planning meetings, interviews, recurring events, conferences, etc.
• Attends meetings as the alternate or designee for the Chief of Service in order to ensure continuity, obtain information and provide feedback. When appropriate, arranges for representation by interdisciplinary staff members at important administrative meetings, committees, and functions by determining the nature and scope of the event versus functional team needs.

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 8:00 am- 4:30pm

Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/ PD50485A