Transportation Assistant

Job Title

Transportation Assistant

Job Description

The Department of Veterans Affairs is implementing a streamlined 30-Day Hiring Model designed to accelerate hiring while maintaining the highest standards of merit-based selection. This improved process reduces traditional hiring timelines by integrating early coordination, faster assessments, and efficient pre-employment actions. Applicants can expect a more transparent, predictable, and efficient hiring journey from announcement to entry on duty.

What Applicants Can Expect:

• Expedited Candidate Review Once the announcement closes, Human Resources will quickly review applications, issue certificates of eligible candidates the day after the announcement closes and refer applicants for hiring manager consideration.
• Quick Interviews & References
• HR may arrange interviews and will request references within 3-5 days after being referred to the hiring manager.
• Streamlined Pre-Employment Requirements: Following a tentative offer, applicants should be prepared to complete required steps, such as fingerprinting and background check, credentialing, and medical examination within 3 days of the offer.
• Clear and Timely Communication: Applicants will receive clear communication at key milestones, including referral, tentative offer, and onboarding instructions.

After meeting pre-employment requirements, candidates will receive a final job offer and start date. Onboarding tasks may continue after starting, with HR ensuring timely completion for a smooth transition into VA service. If selected, applicants should be prepared to come onboard within 30 days of the announcement closing.

Major Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Independently manages the Beneficiary Travel Program.
• Works with fellow hospital staff, other administrative staff and clinical personnel as professionals and team members.
• Communicates and interacts with patients in a manner which is appropriate to cognitive, emotional, and chronological maturation needs of the adult and/or geriatric patient.
• Has regular and recurring contact with personnel external to the agency for the obtainment of services, sharing of information and authorization, clarification or denial of payment.
• Responsible for forwarding all invoices certified for payment to Fiscal Service for processing.
• Prepares appropriate letters explaining disposition of unauthorized travel claims.
• Responsible for explaining the regulatory guidelines to beneficiaries submitting any unauthorized ambulance claims to the VAMC/HCS for consideration of payment.
• Responsible for determining method of payment for authorized and unauthorized ambulance claims submitted for consideration.
• Receives invoices for payment of transportation services.
• Prepares appropriate letters explaining disposition of unauthorized travel claims.
• Reconciles vouchers against authorizations for accuracy prior to preparing certifications for payment.
• Examines ambulance and transportation vouchers submitted by vendors to determine authorization and if mileage and fees charged are correct in accordance with contracts and mileage guides.
• Technical advisor to social workers and others in the disbursement of funds on deposit for patients being placed in Contract Nursing Homes and/ or other patients with fiduciaries or conservators.
• Manages activities for beneficiary travel fund control points.
• Determines legal entitlement to travel reimbursement, applies deductible requirements and computes amount to be paid to beneficiaries.
• Acts as the record keeper and coordinator of patient funds on deposits.
• Receives calls for transportation and coordinates transportation by the most cost effective means.

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 - Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. work schedule, but work schedule may be adjusted to meet the needs of the service.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Transportation Assistant / PD99780S

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized