Program Specialist

Summary Program Specialist will provide administrative support to Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) and the Emergency Medicine Service Line at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT. Full‑time, 40 hours per week. Qualifications Must meet all requirements by the closing date of 06/08/2026. Time‑In‑Grade requirements: current federal employees who have held a GS grade in the past 52 weeks must provide an SF‑50 showing 52 weeks at GS‑09 (or equivalent) for a GS‑11 appointment. Former federal employees and VEOA applicants must similarly demonstrate the required time‑in‑grade. Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS‑09 in the normal line of progression, or educational qualifications (Ph.D., LL.M., or 3+ years of graduate education leading to such a degree) or a combination thereof. Competencies assessed: attention to detail, customer service, decision making, flexibility, integrity/honesty, interpersonal skills, learning, reading comprehension, reasoning, self‑management, stress tolerance, and teamwork. Physical Requirements The position requires mobility within clinical and medical‑center areas and may require travel to other sites. Operators must have adequate visual acuity and the ability to operate a computer terminal and manage multiple activities simultaneously. The incumbent may need to carry reports, bend for filing, and lift up to 20 pounds. Duties Preparing programmatic reports, justifications, charts, graphs, statistical and narrative data for executive‑level presentations and briefings. Works with leadership to improve effectiveness of workflow and clinical operations. Writes, reviews, and revises documentation, proposals, service agreements, and policies as appropriate. Participates on multi‑disciplinary process and action teams to improve operations which cross service lines. Performs budget analyst duties—forecasts and estimates program requirement. Manages Fund Control Points for two service lines. Validates the cost and distribution of services and equipment to improve accountability—resource control—and efficiency of usage. Manages procurement and contracting, which may include preparing procurement requests, evaluating proposals for work, acting as COTR for procurements, and/or maintaining procurement and contracting records. Advise and assist Leadership to develop—analyze—evaluate—or improve the effectiveness of work methods and procedures, manpower utilization, distribution of work assignments, information, and documentation systems— and similar functions of management to improve the effectiveness of both clinical and administrative work methods. Coordinates the Physiatrists schedules, coordinates meetings, and serves as the program manager overseeing clinical coordination for Physiatry services. Assists the Polytrauma/TBI program Case Manager ensuring directives—initiatives—policies—and procedures are met. Maintains VA Connecticut Healthcare System program requirements/validation criteria for assigned groups and reviews reports involving trend analyses and follow‑up for quality monitors and performance data. Collects and validates utilization data—ensuring that all workload data are captured. Reviews data and recommends methods to improve productivity and expand services. Coordinates quality assurance/utilization review activities within the clinic—e.g., patient and satisfaction surveys, clinical pertinence reviews, clinical reminder reports, etc. Prepares all recurring and nonrecurring reports—compiles and analyzes data and gathers information for such reports. Balances various assignments involving different and unrelated management or program analysis—technical processes—and procedures—as well as knowledge of data entry and tracking such as Clinic and Encounter setups, DSS mapping procedures, and review of reports (workload—QM—and budget). Transfers information from one format into another for various presentations. Assists with end‑of‑year reports, including Tour of Duties, Physicians Proficiencies, and assists with developing goals for Pay for Performance. Assists PM&R Leadership with decisions on appropriate clinical profiles—taking into consideration the number of clinicians, space available, time frame, staff, and clerical support availability, etc. Analyzes a variety of workload data to ensure integration of data and related workload statistics are entered properly so that the data are captured equally by DSS and VERA programs. Works in conjunction with DSS in determining workload‑related staffing hours that relate the statistical information with manpower for the multiple program areas. Works to develop and implement sound position management principles within the service. Serves as point of contact on all Credentialing and Human Resources (HR) issues—and Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). Work Schedule & Telework Office hours: 8:00 am–4:30 pm, Monday–Friday. Telework: The VA supports telework to attract and retain talent. Telework may be authorized and eligibility will be discussed during the interview. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. #J-18808-Ljbffr