Program Specialist

Program Specialist

The Program Specialist position is located within the Business Operations Service at the Kansas City VA Medical Center (KCVAMC). Incumbent works closely with the VA Office of Veterans Access to Care (OVAC), facility leaders and staff to incorporate new concepts and programs into existing systems and provide education and training to all facility staff impacted by program, role or technology changes. The facility VetLink Program Specialist/Point of Contact facilitates programmatic care for the KCVAMC. Incumbent is responsible for the overall planning, coordination, implementation, management and evaluation of clinical applications of VetLink within the facility for approximately 22 VetLink kiosks, with particular emphasis on improving the care and safety of veterans.

Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• Designated as a VetLink superuser and develops, refines, implements and evaluates a comprehensive strategic plan for VetLink programming, kiosk needs, and use at the facilities;
• Provides oversight and expertise to committees, study groups and project assignments;
• Establishes the core requirements and standards for the VetLink and kiosk program operations and staff roles at the facility.
• Developing data, forming plans and preparing recommendation papers that impact on planning for VetLink and the kiosk program as a whole;
• Engages in outreach planning and activities, including work with non-VA community partners in an effort to improve care and safety of veteran's healthcare services via VetLink initiatives and programming;
• Communicates and collaborates with CBO and facility VetLink staff, the Office of Information and Technology and other technical staff in the development, implementation, and operation of VetLink applications with regard to technology and connectivity, which includes wide area network (WAN); local area network (LAN); and bandwidth issues;
• Actively stays abreast of professional and technical development in the VetLink field and of current research on value of new technological approaches and communicates relevant information to all involved parties;
• Collaborates with the OVAC VetLink team to maintain a current inventory of VetLink technology including hardware, software, and associated licenses;
• Ensures that programs comply with Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization (JCAHO) accreditation processes and American Disabilities Act (ADA) standards;
• Provides oversight and guidance to assure that all technologies selected in VetLink programs comply with the requirements of the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and other relevant VHA Directives and guidance e.g. VHA Directive 2002-042.
• Manages and provides administrative guidance on the VETEXT program which sends text messages to Veterans concerning upcoming appointments;
• Assists in maintaining the LEAF and Share Point sites for Business Operations.
• Develops mechanisms to evaluate and monitor the quality, safety, efficiency, utilization, productivity, and effectiveness of VetLink;
• Instructs refresher training on kiosk maintenance to kiosk leads and trains clinic area supervisors and administrative staff on reporting kiosk issues.
• Performs deskside coaching for kiosk check-in staff. In a classroom setting, provides coaching on various VetLink workflow programs.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

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 700-15:30, 730-1600, or 800-1630

Telework: This position may be authorized for telework.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Description/PD#: Program Specialist/ PD092840

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not approved

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized