Program Support Assistant (OA)

Summary

The incumbent serves as the Program Support Assistant to the Chief/ Assistant Chief of the Sterile Processing Service. The PSA provides administrative support to the Sterile Processing Service by using multiple automated programs and software packages to develop and maintain various documents significant to the Sterile Processing Service. The incumbent collects and analyses data, identifies interrelationships, and takes actions consistent with the objectives of the function or program served.

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Duties

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Major Duties:

• Performs office automation duties using Microsoft software such as outlook, Powerpoint, Word, and Excel.
• Reviews, uploads, and maintains electronic files on facility/VISN 2 Sharepoint database.
• Prepares meeting agenda items and minutes, schedules on-site vendor training, maintains records of training/in-services, prepares annual performance appraisal and competency documents.
• Responsible for entering work order requests in Vista, electronic equipment requests, and equipment turn-in requests. Responsible for ensuring that all staff complete mandatory TMS training and assists with TMS navigation issues. Serves as the primary ADP AC for the section.
• Operates and maintains a wide variety of office equipment and computers, maintaining ADP security.
• Receives and distributes mail, answers phone calls and serves as the VIP sponsor for the service.
• Independently performs analytical and evaluative work that includes extracting, compiling, researching, tracking, and reporting of data and program information to the Chief of SPS.
• Summarizes data, background information, and other materials into detailed charts and graphs for use in presentations.
• Independently reviews and verifies data for accuracy and completeness prior to submission to various internal and external customers.
• The incumbent is responsible for ensuring that all reports originating in SPS are submitted timely. This includes, but is not limited to, maintaining a detailed list of all recurring reports such as internal and external tracers, and quality assurance reports.
• The incumbent is responsible for the coordination of instruments, equipment, and office supplies to support various clinical and surgical program needs. Contacts vendor companies for manufacturing instructions for use when appropriate.
• The incumbent meets with service representatives to gather information regarding service requirements, communicates with vendors to facilitate appropriate quotes, submits requests to logistics/Materiel Management and monitors the delivery of requested items.
• Procurement duties will include preparing requests for procurement of instruments and equipment, and obtaining quotations from vendors.
• The incumbent will prepare 2237 temporary service requests, signed by the Chief or Assistant Chief of SPS that will be sent to the Centralized Purchasing Unit.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday (8:00am - 4:30pm)

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Program Support Assistant (OA)/ PD56968O

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, 08/05/2026.

You may qualify based on your experience as described below:

• Specialized Experience: 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: Skill in operating a personal computer to produce work accurately and efficiently; knowledge of administrative processes, principles, methods and techniques to monitor and/or accomplish administrative tasks; receiving, routing, and preparing various correspondence; and resolving minor technical issues with computer software/applications, telecommunications matters, ect.
• Typing Proficiency: This position includes the Office Automation (OA) parenthetical, which requires the skills of a qualified typist. In addition to meeting the experience and/or education requirements, you must be able to type at least 40 words per minute.

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.

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

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.

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.