Program Support Assistant

Summary

This position is located in the Employee Health office of the Primary Care Service at the Cincinnati VAMC, under the supervision of the Supervisory MSA/Primary Care (or similar position). Incumbent shall serve as clerical support for the Employee Health staff, which includes a physician, nurse practitioner, registered nurse, and a licensed practical nurse.

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Duties

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Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Administrative Support in Pre-applicant Onboarding - Incumbent is responsible for any VA mandated staffing system(s), which purpose is to onboard employees for Federal agencies. Maintains appointment schedule in any VA mandated Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system. Prepares all papers necessary for each scheduled physical in accordance with guidelines as established by office protocol in advance of scheduled appointment.
• Clerical Processes - Incumbent processes incoming and outgoing materials such as correspondence, reports, memoranda, and other forms of written communication. Receives, schedules, refers, and contacts members of the medical center staff. Provides general clerical public contact support services such as answering the telephone, referring visitors, or providing information. Selects appropriate system, application, and format. Performs typing/word processing at a proficiency level of at least 40 words per minutes.
• Customer Service - Incumbent provides assistance when necessary to medical center staff in the use of EMR program software. Acts as liaison to other medical center services such as Infection Control, Safety, Human Resources, Industrial Hygiene, and other. Provides assistance to medical center employees and/or supervisors in regard to completion of required reports or claims pertaining to state, federal, and medical center regulations and policies (e.g., OSHA, Department of Labor, Office of Workers' Compensation).
• Clinical Support - Incumbent performs work involving the collection, compilation, and/or tracking of data and statistical information in support of the Employee Health program. Prepares, executes, and/or tracks programs specific information such as tuberculosis control, bloodborne pathogen exposure, worker injury, and medical surveillance programs. Maintains employee medical folders using proper filing methods, and files information in appropriate location within the medical folder.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by supervisor.

Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm

Position Description Title/PD#: Program Support Assistant/PD920020

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Authorized

Physical Demands: Physical requirements for the position includes intermittent light lifting, reaching, pulling, sitting, and bending, as well as carrying medical records, office supplies and filing.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this job
• Subject to a background/suitability investigation
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• A complete application package; Resume, Transcripts, etc. is required
• 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.

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.

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,10/20/2026

Time-In-Grade Requirement :

GS-06 grade level: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level in the federal service); experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) and other characteristics to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled, in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Specialized experience includes:

• Proficient in the use of Employee Health regulations and procedures in order to process work and advise medical center employees and supervisors and resolve problems.
• Working knowledge of the Federal Employee Compensation Act, OSHA regulations, and other occupational related statutes, regulations and policies. Working knowledge and skills related to operation of a computer, EMR and related software programs.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office (e.g., MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint), Microsoft Outlook and other similar software utilized in the course of Employee Health functions.
• Knowledge of correspondence formats and procedures in order to prepare responses and memos on various programs and to provide reports. Knowledge of English, grammar, spelling and punctuation.
• Performs typing/word processing at a proficiency level of at least 40 words per minutes.

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. Qualification based on education is generally not applicable.

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.

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

Education

There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

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.

Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

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 well-qualified, applicants must possess experience that exceeds the minimum qualifications of the position including all selective factors if applicable, and must be proficient in most of the requirements of the job. Information about ICTAP and CTAP eligibility is on OPM's Career Transition Resources website which can be found at

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.

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.

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.