Program Support Assistant

Summary

The purpose of the position is to serve as a Program Assistant (PSA), also known as an enrollment and eligibility advisor in HAS. The PSA is responsible for a wide range of assignments and provides administrative support to the Section, and the cost recovery aspects of this position have a direct impact on the reimbursement of the facility.

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Duties

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Duties include but are not limited to:

• Program Support Assistant (PSA) will serve as expert benefit advisor to HAS Leadership and support the management information components of all health eligibility related programs. This includes not only entering data and information when necessary, but also reviewing reports, records and statistical computations for accuracy and propriety.
• Review the Incomplete Encounter Management Module (IEMM) report in order to clean up any discrepancies in administrative data that would prevent the transmission of encounters.
• Responsible for applying an extensive body of rules and regulations relative to Veterans eligibility for VA healthcare benefits, including decedent affairs by assisting families with a Veteran's death, burial and explanation of death benefits.
• Responsible for entering demographic, insurance, and income information into the Vista system.
• As an enrollment advisor, the PSA must be able to work under considerable pressure and plan workload without halting or interrupting the operation as a whole by showing initiative in completing priority tasks; also have the ability to work rapidly with a high degree of accuracy, be dependable and use good judgement, while effectively and properly analyzing and evaluating all situations to ensure that the veteran and family's welfare is always protected.
• Provides administrative support and collaborates with inpatient staffing personnel such as Physicians, Physician's Assistants, Nurses, Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners, Dietitians, Social Workers, and other administrative and professional staff throughout all MEDVA areas transitioning patients identified as ineligible for VA patient care.
• Must possess skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with patients, relatives, and hospital staff.
• Has knowledge of medical and administrative records systems (CPRS), Vista, Vista Imaging/Capture, HIPAA, and Privacy Act and Freedom of Information Act as they relate to release of information on patients.

Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 - 4:00pm

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Program Support Assistant/ PD13088A

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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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 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 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, 11/09/2026.

You may qualify based on your experience as described below:

• Specialized Experience - GS-06: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Thorough and comprehensive knowledge of pertinent laws, federal regulations, polices guidelines, VHA directive and procedures that require extensive training. An in-depth knowledge and experience in the field of patient administration (both inpatient and outpatient), including medical records and related fields of medical administration, especially related to any HAS Program. Working knowledge of varied functions of computer spreadsheets, database computer applications, etc. to produce and maintain a wide variety of documents. Must maintain cooperative, effective relationships with a wide variety of individuals. Must have a thorough knowledge of VISTA with particular knowledge of the registration process, entering a means test and updating demographics. Must have a thorough working knowledge of other computer systems necessary to manage, control, secure, coordinate and implement computer activities.

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.

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

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.